If you choose a ship with a port-a-day itinerary, you might end your holiday exhausted. Try to find itineraries with a better pace (of course, you don’t have to get off in each port). Note that Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises have pan-European passengers, and have more of an international flavour and cultural differences (useful for children to be exposed to). For an adults-only experience, it’s best to choose small- to mid-size ships, which also tend to seek out the smaller, more intimate ports. To sum up, before you book, give plenty of thought to your route, cruise ship and itinerary.