Good to read this Suzanne. We've just booked a holiday cruise - Sand Diego to Ft. Lauderdale on the SilverShadow. I've always wanted to cruise over Christmas and New Year's.

I hope you get to try Seabourn. We loved our cruise on the Sojourn last year so much that we've scheduled Sydney to LA in February 2012 on the Spirit (I think it's the Spirit - writing off the top of my head). Had the most fun in the lounges that I've ever experienced. LOTS of dancing - but it could have been the passenger mix - you never really know with a cruise.