10 points to consider | Choose theme cruises for comfort

Pinpointing the right cruise for you begins with some self-examination. "The Unofficial Guide to Cruises – 8th Edition," (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., $22.99) recommends 10 points to consider:

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1. What is my vacation budget?

2. How many days do I want to cruise?

3. Where do I want to go?

4. When do I want to go?

5. What sort of lifestyle or activity level am I seeking?

6. What level of formality do I prefer?

7. What standards do I require for dining and food quality?

8. How gregarious am I (are we)?

9. The other passengers: What kind of people am I most comfortable with?

10. What kind of itinerary do I prefer?

We found when we booked our cruise was that the length of time that we could cruise became the most critical factor. We were limited to four-nights (5 days) because we didn't feel we could be away from our children any longer. At that time, only two lines were traveling to Mexico in February for four nights. One of the lines was double the price of the other, and the travel agent advised it wasn't worth the price differential.

The other thing we learned was that a lot of the more luxurious lines didn't often offer the shorter cruises. Our agent also pointed out that often older ships make the shorter runs. I found differing opinions on whether this was something to be avoided.

Our travel agent didn't want us taking one ship in particular that she felt was too old. She said it would not live up our expectations based on what we were seeing on commercials. (I heard from one reader who took this ship and was unhappy, so we appreciated the agent's tip.)

However, Allan Jordan, a New York-based cruising expert and historian who writes, lectures and consults on the topic, says an older ship does not mean it's going to be bad. Jordan, who has cruised more than 60 times, says a ship that is one generation older is going to be hard to distinguish. He says it's going to be a little bit smaller and may not feature some of the newer innovations like an ice-skating rink. On the other hand, a smaller ship is easier for you to navigate.

Aimée J. Ricca, owner of Bonne Amie Travel in Rockport, Maine, and one of the experts featured on the Travel Channel's Vacation Challenge, says, "The ships for the shorter cruises get more wear and tear. There may be nicks on the hallways and have a more dated look. But (the lines) do refurbish."

But both agree the service really should be the same.

My experts also differed on whether it was best for a first-time cruiser to begin with a three or four-day cruise. On one hand, it's less expensive, you can see if you like it, and if you get sea sick you'll be home soon. On the other hand, you may not get to see some of the whiz-bang innovations, and may be more limited in your line and ship choices. You also may just be getting into the groove when the ship docks back at home.

Theme cruises are another option to consider when booking. Traditionally cruise ships were defined by their ethnicity, says Jordan. Governments owned the ships and the cruisers experienced that country's flavor. So people wanted to take an Italian cruise to meet Italian crew members, eat Italian food and enjoy Italian dancing and games.

As the ships were sold off to private companies, they became more homogenized. The cruise members could come from many different nations and the food and games became less ethnically focused. So in looking for new ways to differentiate themselves, lines began marketing theme cruises in the '80s.

Jordan says theme cruises have always existed; they just weren't touted as such. For example, he says you could find in the 1920s booze cruises from New York to Halifax. And in the 1960s, three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas became fashionable when Havana was hot.

Theme cruises provide activities you know you'll be interested in, as well as provide like-minded shipmates for lively conversation.

You can find themed cruises easily. Talk to your travel agent, Google theme cruises, or click on the theme cruise category on the online travel agent sites.

Here are some examples of theme cruises found on www.cruise-news.com:

Caribbean food and flavor. Celebrity Cruises' Millennium

Acupuncture at sea. Celebrity Cruises five ships

Mind/body fitness. Carnival Cruises' Carnival Triumph

Whales and wildlife. Cruise West's Spirit of Endeavour

Wine and food festival. Crystal Cruises' Crystal Harmony

Music, opera, book club, Yamaha Keyboard lessons, Berlitz French and Spanish instruction, wellness seminars, golf, computer classes, Sotheby's, finance, entertainment, film festival, Smithsonian art appreciation, musical theater, big band, jazz, great chefs of Hawaii, great chefs of California, Faberge jewelry, leading hotels of the world. Crystal Cruises fleetwide

The British monarchy. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2

Jane Eyre. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2

Legends of the 50s; bluegrass jamboree; Civil War; history of steamboats; World War II; psychic experience; financial planning. Delta Queen Steamboat Company fleetwide

Mayo Clinic health lecture series. Discovery World Cruises' Discovery

Great American Food & Wine Festival. Seabourn Cruise line Pride