I took my first cruise solo, and 6 things surprised me

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author smiles in a sunhat in front of a cruise ship.
Business Insider's reporter took a solo cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went on a 7-night cruise with my husband and his extended family. Despite our different travel styles, we had a blast.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Two men smiling on Alaskan cruise
Ultimately, our multigenerational cruise with extended family was a lot of fun and we made sure to have alone time, too.

Timothy Moore

I stayed in a $2,850-per-person balcony cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship. Here's what it's like.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Brittany Chang smiling in room on Norwegian Luna
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Brittany Chang

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 take my kids and grandkids on vacation twice a year. The trips are well worth the $30,000 I spend.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Francine Bookbinder with her husband and family on a recent vacation.
Francine Bookbinder with her husband and family on a recent vacation.

Courtesy of Francine Bookbinder

I took my first cruise and made 10 mistakes that spoiled my voyage

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author wearing pants and a sweater on the top deck of a cruise ship
Business Insider's reporter took her first cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should pack and 5 they shouldn't.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
woman in a sunbonnet relaxes on the top deck of a cruise ship during her vacation at sea
I (not pictured) have gotten very good at packing for cruises after working on many of them.

Jeff R Clow/Getty Images

I've upgraded to concierge level on 4 Disney cruises. It's really only worth it for one perk.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Jill Robbins and her husband smiling at a beach in the bahamas
After many Disney cruises, there's just one concierge perk that really stands out to me.

Jill Robbins

I've been on over 25 cruises. There are 3 things I never bother packing.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Jill Robbins smiling wiht family on cruise ship
After taking many cruises, I've streamlined my packing lists and strategies.

Jill Robbins

I took a 7-day cruise with carry-on luggage and a backpack. See everything on my packing list and how I organized it all.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author standing on the top deck of a cruise ship and clothes inside a cabin closet
Business Insider's reporter shares her packing list for a seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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