My girlfriend is pressuring me to take a cruise (1st time for both) and I am having some reservations. My concerns are particularly relating to dress codes for meals and deck wear. As a frequent windjammer cruiser I like the very casual dress codes there and am not comfortable with the thought of a shirt and tie for dinners. Are my fears unfounded? Is seating pr-determined or do you get a choice of when and with whom to dine?

Freestyle cruising was invented for you! Check out NCL as an option. You are going to get an international crowd on Costa and everything that goes with it. I would suggest that you investigate NCL and Carnival. Just my opinion.

Tom