Welcome aboard, and enjoy your cruise to exotic locations and thrilling adventures. At least you got your wife to try it -- mine enjoys looking at the minis and terrain, but won't try it out. "Too complicated-looking," she says, Monopoly being more her style.
The Solo deck is a great addition to the game, and will allow you to do all the campaigns...I'm working my way through Tomb of the Serpent now, which has several scenarios written especially for solo play. Also, all the Scenarios of the Month include solo play directions, so be sure to check those out as well.
rags