My husband and I (50-somethings) have been on half-a-dozen cruises, but not since 1/17. All but one of our cruises have been on smaller ships (Vision class Royal Caribbean and M-class Celebrity) and the one on a larger (S-class) ship convinced us small ships are for us.
Just a few weeks ago, we decided to take a January vacation and stumbled across a sailing on the Vision of the Seas out of New Orleans. We've never been to New Orleans, or to Key West (one of the ports of call) and the price was unbeatable--I think we paid less than $900 for our inside cabin. Even pre-paying tips and adding in an internet package (about $19/day for two devices), this was a really inexpensive vacation.
We spent two nights in New Orleans at the Courtyard Marriott French Quarter/Iberville. It's a great location. We'd stay there again. We did two terrific walking tours with Free Tours by Foot--one of the Garden District and one of the French Quarter. 100% recommended. Did the obligatory coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde, a muffaletta sandwich in the French Market (half a sandwich is enough for two people) and rode the streetcar.
Good location near the Centrum. Quiet above and below with very little hallway traffic as well. Compact for sure (not too easy to get around the sides of the bed!) but plenty of storage for two. Cabin has two bunk beds but I really wouldn't recommend this cabin for four.