The main disappointment I have with most ocean cruises ex NZ is the sea day to port day ratio. Because of the distances, South Pacific cruises have a high sea day ratio. The best cruises I've ever done are around Hawaii on NCL, Los Angeles down to Mexico and back in Carnival, and a loop around the Caribbean and back to Ft Lauderdale on Celebrity. All sensationally good fun experiences. All had plenty of port days where you get ashore and see/do all sorts of interesting stuff. It's a shame you have to spend such an eyewatering amount on airfares to these otherwise good value cruises (the Hawaii one excepted - expensive!)