21st

I would definitely suggest a Caribbean Cruise. If you have that many people with you, it won't be scary for you at all. You will talk, visit and celebrate, and won't have any time to be worried about the water. There are a lot of places that are nice to see. My favorite was CoCo Cay, which is a private island owned by the Royal Caribbean Cruise line. There are no natives there, and you will see the same people in the booths on the island as you see on the ship serving you. It isn't crowded at all, so you don't have to worry about beach space, and such. Plus, while we were there, we saw live stingrays and other animals in the water right next to us. It was actually pretty neat! I hope you enjoy your 21st birthday. It is definitely one to be remembered!

I went on a cruise once and I was sick for the first 5 days of the cruise. I tried all sorts of remedies - those wrist bands you wear to press the appropriate pressure points to suppress seasickness, to those disgusting ginger tablets! I had really bad seasickness until the doctor on-board decided to give me an injection for the seasickness. I felt really great after that. So a word of advice, DO get yourself an injection before you board to prevent getting seasick.

On a cruise you don't have to get in the water (though you might enjoy the pool on the ship). A cruise ship is a floating city, almost. It's not like being in a yacht or boat at the mercy of winds and waves! A cruise will give you comfortable accommodation (perhaps a little smaller than most motels but probably rather less 'impersonal'), plenty of places to be - on deck or below decks and with no lack of things to do. The object of a cruise is usually to see many different places - cities, towns, scenery, cultures and all within easy reach of your 'hotel'. It's mostly the sights, sounds, smells (and shopping) of different seaside cities that people enjoy. A big ship is really hardly any different from a large hotel. You really would not believe that you weren't on dry land most of the time (and quite a lot of the time you are). As for choosing a cruise, it might depend which side of the US you are (or whether you want to fly and do a European or Mediterranean cruise). Flights are often included in the cruise price, so it's quite easy to budget. It's always worth asking quite carefully what is included in the price (and what isn't ... mini-bars have been the downfall of many - me included, LOL). You also want to make an allowance for shopping and optional trips. Tell me you are not going to shop and I shall flatly not believe you ... say 'Well, maybe a little ...' and I'd concur, LOL. You want to remember the trip? You are certainly going to want to bring something back! Back to choosing: You want to have a truly memorable experience and to see some places that you wouldn't even think about seeing otherwise. A cruise isn't the only way of doing that, of course, but being able to come back to the same room and all your stuff every night rather than having to unpack and repack and readjust to a new place is quite a bonus. If you're closer to the East coast, you might consider a cruise to the Bahamas or Cuba or other parts of the Caribbean. If in the Western States, you might find the Pacific islands more attractive (though, since prices are usually inclusive of flights, it may not make much difference). There are also, of course, cruises that just do the coastal ports of the US ... probably no less exciting, depending on what you are looking for. If you are thinking of further afield, then by all means look at Norway, Sweden, the Mediterranean, China and the East Indes. I'm sure that there are so many in the brochures that you quickly become confused. If there are a number of you going (and it's really your celebration), then you should have first choice but everyone is going to have a good time, so be open to suggestions! The important thing is to 'make your dream come true' ... but do be prepared to laugh and enjoy it, even if it isn't anything like your dream. When my kids were little we encouraged them to make diaries of their vacations. Every entry ticket, photo, postcard and experience (written down in their own fair hand at the end of the day) went in those exercise books. They may not be works of literary or graphic brilliance but, now they are in their 30a, they are SO precious to them! However you decide to do a journal of your trip (in a simple exercise book or ring file, as a blog, Facebook album or a video), I can promise that if you include 'journalling' in some way, your trip may be a 'once in a lifetime' one but it will be 'for a lifetime', as well! I hope that you enjoy planning your trip nearly as much as you enjoy the trip itself. You have no need to be afraid of the ocean. If, as humans, we are masters of our planet, then the 2/3 of it that is water should be no deterrent to us ... think of the Pilgrim Fathers (and, perhaps, your ancestors) who took much more dire risks and accepted far greater hardships to find again in a New World the kind of life they were used to.

I suggest that you fly down to Miami and cruise to the Caribbean Islands or Central America. If I was planning to go a cruise I would wish to visit Cartagena de Indies in Colombia. Some of the cruise ships have swimming pools on board. You and your friends or relatives would have a lovely time I am sure. Happy traveling and I hope that you will have a lovely 21st birthday. I had my 21st birthday in Brisbane in Australia.

So far I've only taken Caribbean cruises, but I've experienced some great attractions at each port. Each ship should have a desk featuring information about the shore excursions and their prices. I'm not sure if all cruise lines offer this, but Carnival passengers can book their shore excursions via their in-room TVs. My favorite destination so far is Grand Cayman Island. Some of the attractions this island offers are: the Turtle Farm, Hell (some interesting rock formations,) the Seven Mile Beach and plenty of dining and shopping options near the pier. There's also the Stingray City sandbar, but that involves going into the water. It's always great to have friends with you on a cruise. With all the clubs, music, shows and other activities on board, it's just more fun having others with you to share the good times.

I wouldn't suggest you go on a cruz for your 21st. If you have never been you could be setting yourself up for the worst birthday ever. I went on a cruise and felt sick the whole time. It was awful. Not to mention that the cruise ships are not very safe these days. If I were having a 21st birthday again, I would fly to an all inclusive beach resort were I could eat and drink all I want and have the ocean to look at and a bed to go to that is not moving when I am drunk.