Nice trip report. My wife and I did our first 5-6 cruises on big, multi-thousand passenger ships. If you like the "glitz and frenetic activity," as you put it, they are the choice for you. We don't. After our first cruise aboard a smaller ship, we were hooked. Yes, the smaller ships cost a little bit more, but they are SOOOOO worth it! Glad you had a good time.