First timer advice and tips please

[Housemum]

It's a special (ancient) birthday next year and, having resisted DH imploring me to try a cruise for years, am coming round to the idea! Any advice from the more experienced on here? At the moment the options considered for a break in March are:

• Northern Lights cruise round Norway (what would I need in the way of clothing for the cold? I'm not a good sailor so what are the seas like?)
• Hong Kong/Shanghai - is it a long way for not much time ashore?
• Caribbean

and as a curveball, go at end of March school hols, 5 night Disney cruise to Caribbean - are they hell afloat? Budgeting for about £3000 package (£4500 if take kids on Disney one) for up to a week. What about the tipping culture? Was looking on Disney site and the recommended tips worked out £25-£45 per day! Any ideas gratefully received - there is a whole world out there and I want something memorable, the best value for a newbie!

£3000 total not per person!

not really anything to add that would be of help but watching with intrest as this is something we would like to do too

Disney is way out of budget so skip that one!

Hong Kong, Caribbean and Disney will all be well over your budget. The Northern Lights should be possible as you can sail from the UK which makes it cheaper. Think a TA is your best bet. Happy holiday planning!

Lots of hints and tips on YouTube. I agree a good TA is your best bet for planning. Cruise critic is also good.

Dm has done Norway several times. Layer up clothes wise, sometimes trips/ports have been cancelled due to poor weather and visibility in the smaller Fjords. It should be possible on your budget. The sea has usually been ok, North Sea and Channel can be rough but are usually navigated overnight.