Seasoned cruisers say you should know these 8 things before setting foot on your first cruise

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A wide view of Wonder of the Seas cruise ship from the top deck
Seasoned cruisers' tips for first-timers can save you money and help you make the most of your trip.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

10 side-by-side photos show how a Royal Caribbean cruise ship transforms with colorful lights at night

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Deck 15 on the world's largest cruise ship during the day and at night
Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas during the day and at night.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took my first adults-only cruise. Take a look around the luxury ship with a tattoo shop and a playground for grown-ups.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A pool seen from the top deck of a Virgin Voyages cruise ship with purple and blue pool chairs.
Business Insider's reporter cruised on board Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, a luxury, adults-only ship.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've been on over 20 cruises. These 5 unconventional tips make my vacations more enjoyable.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Jill and her family taking a selfie on a cruise ship.
With over 20 cruises under my belt, I've picked up some unique tips for this form of travel.

Jill Robbins

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
10

Brittany Chang

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 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 went on my first cruise — here are 15 things that surprised me about this type of travel

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author on the largest cruise ship in the world
The reporter's first cruise was on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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 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

Subscribe to cruise-ship