Living in the Midwest, my water experience and activities are limited to rivers and lake. Colors of Missouri and Mississippi rivers are nothing to rave about. Lakes offers some excitement , courtesy of resorts abutting on its shores , it's never the same though. Having lived the first 44 years of my life in an island part of an archipelago, I always equate water with the tropical seas , blue, expansive and endless. When my husband brought up the idea of a cruise, I jumped at the offer. Forget about the kitchen and bathroom renovations, it can wait. But my longing for the sea needs to me satiated. Luggage packed like any woman would pack for a 7 day trip, as if she is packing for a month. Wardrobe, shoes, purse and accessories and still unsure if I covered all the checklists for the formal dinners and casual garbs. Should I bring 2 or 3 swimsuits, hmm, maybe 4 , I can't be photographed with the same attire all the time. What will my Facebook buddies would say, aarghhhhh...