Hubby and I would like to go on a cruise in February 2009 as a late celebration of our 25th anniversary.  We'd leave out of Galveston, TX.  Any advice on cruise lines or ships?  What area of the Caribbean is best?  We don't want an assigned dining table or time. 

Of course, we can probably only afford a bunk in the engine compartment and might have to bus tables to help pay our way. 

Being on the west coast, don't know about the Caribbean - but we did a 4 day on Carnival to Mexico last Februrary for our 15th - it was so fun and very inexpensive.  We had an ocean view room (which I would recommend) and it was 225 pp do.  They are still sending us emails with some of the same prices.  I think they run similar in the Caribbean? Anyway - you can check the website and see.  Remember that everything beyond room, and meals is extra........so they do get you that way.  One thing I liked is that you don't have to tip everyone, they add $10.00 per day per person to cover the tips to your onboard account.  We ended up tipping our dinner server a little extra since she was so good.  I'm planning to try and go in '10 for my next big birthday, I'm so hooked on cruising - it was fun.

We did Carnival last year and it was fun. My Mother has cruised many, many, many times and she says Royal Carribean is her favorite cruise line. They pamper you to pieces. I found that Carnival was a blast ... but didn't pamper as much as some other cruise lines. We took a Disney Cruise on the Big Red Boat a few (many) years ago and they pampered and pampered and pampered. I was expecting that on Carnival but didn't find it to be the case. Carnival is a great time for a great price, however. Just depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for.

We lucked out on the Passport thing. My mother was going to get us all Passports and then she found out we didn't need them YET ... so she upgraded our cabins from inside to outside staterooms!!! yeah for us!!! But now I sorta wish we all had passports that were paid for by good old Mom ... If we need them now, the nickle is on us! Oh and lots of people didn't dress up on Carnival. They ask that no jeans or tshirts or shorts be worn in the dining room. But there are many other options to eat besides the dining room. I'm not sure about other cruise lines.