OP gave cruising a try .
As a former TA for 17 years I found there are were about 5% of
people that I booked that found cruising was not for them after
trying it.βΉοΈ
Airfare and flights depend on the Cruise Line .
Cunard Choice Air is very reasonable and allows you to choose airline and flights .
Post your question on Forum here for your cruiseline.
Just remember that Presidents Week cruises will have far more families onboard than every other February week.
Bahamas weather much like South Florida. Pack after checking forcast days before sailing.
We use to always purchase the airport transfers from Cunard onboard.
We book flights earlier than what Cunard Complete Air offers from EWR/JFK/LGA.
We do Self Walk Off to get on the first bus and have made it with time to spare every time
despite flight departure times around 11am.
Last cruise we tried Uber to EWR , worked out well $90 so we will use Uber again.
Those QM2 Obstructed Balcony cabins are shown at the top of this Forum .With luck a Balcony Guarantee could be to a unobstructed category also.
I would have to be frightened beyond belief of ship movement to not swap an Inside for any Balcony on any itinerary.
I have no experience with the Grills , but us Brittania commoners would be reserving things like Spa , Speciality restaurants , Planetarium , Shore tours using OBC , etc. .
15:45 boarding is insane .
Puts you at the end of the line to sign up for limited things that can only be done once onboard , not to mention missing lunch . Get there when you get there .
I don't see as many postings stating "I want to own my booking and don't care about TA offerings", since the Pandemic disruptions. Lessons learned by some.
Horror stories on hold waiting for cruise line reps.
Watching guests walking around with 12 packs on their shoulders until cabins are ready
makes me wonder why they must do this after spending $$$$ on the cruise upfront.
Use a Good TA for a Cunard World Cruise .
A Good TA will do flips to book your World Cruise.
Expect several thank you goodies from the TA as well as an additional discount of your cruise fare as Cunard permits TA's to discount even their best cruise rates.
In July the 2hr time slots were capacity controlled.
Get there early to reserve your preferred times.
You may also request to change your time
along the cruise but your choices would be what is left available.
I couldn't have put it better. That is us also.
Been cruising since 1979 on most every cruise line serving the US,
and reluctantly going with the dress codes for Formal nights .