Unless you're talking about a mega-cabin on a big ship, smaller ships cost more, because they are mostly the deluxe lines. At least that was our experience, from being on more than 30 cruises. However, we haven't been on a cruise for a few years, and many things now are much different than when we were cruising a lot.

It appears our larger issue is that we would want to go in summer or fall, and the pickins' at that time in St. Maarten aren't good.