We just returned from the one week southern caribbean cruise.  We had not cruised for 15 years so we are basically first time cruisers.  Normally we go the a caribbean island resort and stay for 7 to 10 days.  We flew out the day before the cruise which I heartily recommend.  Winter weather, being what it is, left many scrambling to make the ship, and several who had to fly to Aruba, the first port, to get on board.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites prior to the cruise which is ok for one nite.  We got there by 4pm the day before the cruise.  There is an Outback Steak House so we ate immediately.  Also a 2 hour free cocktail hour, and  free breakfast the following morning.  However, the next morning we walked 2 short blocks to the ocean and toured the Intercontinental which was, hands down, a much nicer hotel and $50 cheaper. If traveling w/o children I would heartily recommend it.   Sunday we boarded ship around 3pm and walked with on with our printed seapass. Our luggage did not make our room until after dinner but everyone was very casual, having just arrived, so it was fine.  We had an inside stateroom with no window but it was all that we needed.  It was very clean and we had a wonderful steward who brought us ice, coffee every morning, and extra pillows for my husband.      We did not participate in any cruise expeditions as figured we could do them cheaper.  In Aruba caught the public bus right off the pier to Palm Beach ($1.50pp) and rented beach chairs on the beach for $10 apiece.  Very relaxed and no schedule.     We love Curacao.  Shared a cab for $12 ea way to the Hilton Resort which sold day passes for $6 apiece to use beach and all facilities.  Relaxing and again, no schedule.      Unfortunately we did not get to go to Orient Beach in St Maarten as I woke up nauseated and had the runs.  I was in bed all day while my husband sat on deck and read.  Maybe it was a little food poisoning, don't really know but was fine the next morning.     In St Thomas took at cab to Secret Harbor Resort, $20 ea way, and rented beach chairs for $5 pp.  An absolute wonderful beach, resort.     Sea days are crowded but fine.  There were practically no children on board which was good.  We often went to the adult pool.  One day a mother and 12 year old were in the hottub and attendants made the child get out of the tub.  She did but sat on the edge the entire time her mother was in the tub. Parents who think everyone should enjoy their children need to think again.  Employees were  attentive and polite.  I like the food, but generally food served to the masses, ie not of a high caliber restaurant but certainly sufficient.      Disembarking you have to be out cabin by 8 am and wait.  We got off at 10.  We chose to go on  a side path to the beach by the intercontinental and rent beach chairs vs spending the day in the airport.  There were mini vans to take people on tour of old San Juan, stopping for shopping, and lunch then taking passengers to airport by 1:30 for $50 per couple. Vans  were lined up outside the pier.  Going thru the airport was quick and not a bad wait when one plans an activity to fill in the day.  We did do the luggage handling thru the pursers office which made life a whole lot easier.  Ship takes bags the nite before, we pick up after going thru immigration, and there are airline reps right outside who take our luggage.  The luggage is taken to the airport, and we didn't have to deal with it until picking it up in our home airport.  Cruise line also printed our boarding passes and placed them in our stateroom the night before. This ran us $40 which was well worth not dragging luggage around the entire day.      We would go Royal Caribbean again.  Some airport acquaintances had been on a Carnival cruise and had not one good thing to say so beware.