I swore by booking 'guarantee' cabins to save money on cruises. After a few nightmare experiences, I'd never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Allie Hubers and husband on balcony on Serenade Alaska cruise
I spent years swearing by "guarantee" cabins to save money on cruises. After dozens of sailings, my luck began to run out.

Allie Hubers

I live in the East Village and take a yearly staycation on the Upper West Side. There's no hassle.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses with her daughter in the window of a hotel room in NYC.
The author said she enjoys taking staying in a hotel just a few miles away from her home every year.

Courtesy of Blake Turck.

I took a Costa Caribbean cruise for about $100 a day. Despite some disappointments, I'd do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Beach with cruise ship in the distance
Although it was not perfect, my Costa Cruises experience turned out to be a pretty great value.

Becky Pokora

I spent a year traveling across Ireland on a budget. There were 4 spots I loved, and 2 that didn't live up to the hype.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer standing in front of a colorful building, Stone Mad Gallery, in Kinsale, Ireland.
captiontk Kinsale

Nishtha Chaudhary

When I got laid off, traveling felt like a bad idea. I'm glad I went on a short, affordable trip anyway.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer posing on a street in Montreal.
captiontK

Jessica Derschowitz

I booked the cheapest accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A close up of the exterior of a blue sleeping car on a train
Business Insider's reporter got no sleep in a reclining seat on an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've been on Carnival's cheapest and most expensive cruise lines — see how the $430-per-day difference compares

Tech Insider : Travel
composite of Seabourn Quest and Carnival Firenze's pool decks
Carnival Corp operates several cruise lines. Seabourn is one of its most luxurious, while Carnival Cruise Line is often one of its most affordable.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I sailed on Carnival's newest cruise ship and saw why young people love the brand so much

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A busy indoor pool on a cruise ship.
Most of Carnival Cruise Line's guests are now millennial-aged amid an influx of first-time and younger cruisers.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Cruises are more expensive than ever. But a deal isn't impossible — if you have restraint

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I spent 3 nights in Asia's least visited country. It also turned out to be the most expensive.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Woman taking a selfie on the beach and the view of Dili, the capital of Timor Leste
The author spent four days exploring Dili, the capital of Timor Leste.

Marielle Descalsota

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