1stimer needs advice gem transatlantic4/08

[tigerbait]

My husband and I are trying to decide whether to take transatlantic or just the Westerm Med 5/08...mostly same ports of call. Any suggestions? I've read that to figure out the actual cost of a cruise you should figure on quadrupling the per person cost. Is that true? Any help you can give a first timer whose considering going on the Gem transatlantic NY to Barcelona would be greatly aprreciated. Have been to Florence and Rome is there anything to do in port??? It seems hardly worth going for such a short visit for 3 hour round trip to the city... any suggestions. Can you bring bottle water and soda aboard the Gem ..reading boards. I get really confused as to what's allowed or not. We're trying to budget because we will be traveling for 2 week after the cruise. Any ideas or suggestions about everything from transatlantic or shorter cruise to ports of call activities and in general just cruising would be greatly appreciated.