To Cruise or Not to Cruise?

In keeping with my credo that I should always have a vacation planned, I'm starting to think about my September vacation.  Part of me wants to go back to Hilton Head, which is one of my favorite places on earth and has the advantage of being a known, reliable quantity.  But part of me thinks I should do something different. 

I've been thinking for a while about trying a cruise, but something keeps holding me back.  I worry a lot about being stuck on a boat with lots of people I don't know, but many of my friends who are seasoned cruisers tells me that the ships are so big that I shouldn't worry about feeling trapped.  And I also worry whether a cruise is the best use of my vacation dollars and time.  I'm not a big tour person--my idea of a perfect vacation is a beach chair, book, and fruity drink.  So I would likely choose the beach excusions at most destinations.  But is one beach really so different from another?  Should I just go to Florida instead?

And then if I do decide to go for it, how do I know what to book?  The whole Cruise Industry is overwhelming.  What cruise line?  What accomodations?  Do I have to eat dinner with people I don't know?

Have you been on a cruise?  Would you recommend it?  What should I know if I decide to plan a cruise?  Help!!!

If You Had Only One Day in San Francisco . . .

What would you do?

I'm excited!  I'm leaving for Santa Clara today for work, and I'm going to stay an extra day so I can play in San Francisco.  I've been there a couple of times before, but always on business, so I've never gotten to see more than the little I can glimpse on my early morning runs.

I always say that when I travel somewhere new and/or fun for work, I should go early or stay late so I can experience the city, and somehow it never happens.  Usually the timing "just isn't quite right."  Well this time, this timing is right (partly because I've decided that it has to be right), so I should have most or all of Friday to explore.

Somehow, I think one day isn't nearly enough to experience this city that everyone raves about, but it's better than nothing.  So, the question for those of you who live in or near San Francisco or have visited in the past, is:  How would you spend the day?  What should I not miss?  I can't wait to hear your suggestions!  I'm counting on you!