I'm a former cruise director. Here are 9 big mistakes I see first-time passengers make.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer and her husband taking a selfie next to a pool on a cruise ship deck
Christine Kesteloo and her husband live on a cruise ship most of the year.

Christine Kesteloo

I've been on over 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I never buy on the ships.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
megan posing in front of a cruise ship at a port
I've been taking cruises for the last 15 years, and there are some things I still won't spend my money on.

Megan duBois

I've been on over a dozen cruises, but one unexpected voyage stood out among the rest

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Jacqueline poses while bundled up on a boat with icebergs and mountains in the background.
I took a cruise to Alaska and had an incredible time.

Jacqueline Dole

I booked the wrong room on my first cruise, and it was my biggest regret of the 7-day voyage

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author standing on an outdoor cruise ship deck with plants and water slides in the background, and inside a cruise stateroom with a white bed in front of a rectangular window showing the front of the ship.
Business Insider's reporter regretted booking a room at the front of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After spending 150 days on Princess Cruises, I earned Elite status. These 4 perks have completely elevated my experience.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A small pool on the deck of a cruise ship.
I have Elite status on Princess Cruises, which comes with some pretty great perks.

Tammy Barr

I spent 85 days on cruises this year. Here are 5 travel mistakes I won't be making in 2026.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Jill Schildhouse smling in front of two cruise ships in CocoCay
After many cruises across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, I learned the hard way what happens when you overschedule.

Jill Schildhouse

I spent Christmas and New Year's Eve on a cruise with a few family members. I doubt I'd ever do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Erin Yarnall smiling on a cruise in front of a glacier
One year, I spent the holidays sailing past Antarctica on a 22-day cruise with a few of my family members.

Erin Yarnall

I went to Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. It's not for me, but I can see why cruise-goers love it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author in her snorkeling gear and a view of CocoCay from above
Business Insider's reporter went to Perfect Day at CocoCay on her first cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went on a monthlong nomad cruise. The travel disappointed, but the community onboard didn't.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Kaisu Koskela, wearing colorful clothing and standing with the beach in the background.
Kaisu Koskela had been hearing about Nomad Cruise for years; this year, she boarded a 27-day cruise from Seattle to Sydney.

Provided by Kaisu Koskela

I took a weeklong cruise and didn't check a bag. Here are 10 items I'm glad I packed and 9 things I wish I'd had with me.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Inside the author's packed suitcase for a cruise
The author packed for a weeklong cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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