Try cruise118 as a first stop. They will match any other agent. I buy my P and O cruises from them and pay a lot less than direct from P and O.
Simon, watch prices for a particular cruise and strike when there is a sudden price cut.
Inside cabins are the same size as balconies and a lot less money but, of course, dark. I have balconies as i need fresh air more than air con.
You have to have cruise cover insurance to go boating. Tips, you just have them removed from the bill even before you get the bill. Tell them a day after boarding not to charge.
No towels needed at all, beach towels are handed out free. Unlimited food and if using the buffet, and like 2 menus, eat one then go and get another one.
If you use Arcadia which is adults only, it is a superb older style ship and great crew. That one did the 16 day Iceland, Ireland ,Norway cruise last year.
Any Royal Caribbean ship is really good but a lot of children as its a family ship. MSC has problems with food and boarding at times but is low cost for new ships. Norwegian cruise lines are excellent ships and food but tours can be very expensive compared with other cruise lines so no longer use them.
Carib take only U.S dollars although some islands may be Dutch so Euros needed.
I travel with Euros, sterling and U.S dollars. I never use cards as you could be conned.
Go out with only the money you need so pick pockets dont get you.
In all the cruises, i have never felt unsafe or been robbed etc even in Columbia and Venezuela or Panama as long as you have awareness of whats around you.
Ship internet is very expensive and often very slow. Internet is free at every port around the World so not really a problem.
I have had such a good time on these ships, i have not had a land holiday abroad at all.
Think, free food, great shows and comfortable cabins and mostly no noise in the cabins of the modern Gas powered ships. If waves are 3 metres high, the ship barely feels that.
If you were to pick P and O Arvia or Iona, you would like those 2 but if the small Arcadia is going where you like, it has the best crew of any ship i have been on. Dated ship but was designed for World tours so cabins are bigger. I recommend the deluxe balcony cabin with bath but you might not fit in it ! Of course, it also has a shower.
If flying out to a ship, i book a hotel with parking prior to the cruise and it normally cost less than just parking. The hotel takes you to the plane in the Morning.