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

My husband and I spent Thanksgiving on a cruise ship with friends for about $1,300 a person. We'd do it again for other holidays.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
carnival cruise ship lit up at night
We sailed on a Carnival Cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Katrina Wilson

6 mistakes you should never make on a cruise ship, according to etiquette experts

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Woman looking off across the water at a cruise ship, wearing a backpack and hat.
Etiquette experts advise against making a few common mistakes on cruises.

Zigres/Shutterstock

Photos show what it's like aboard the Disney Wish cruise ship, from adult-only escapes to fantastic food

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The Disney Wish cruise ship docked in the Bahamas in 2022.
The Disney Wish cruise ship.

Amanda Krause/Business Insider

Some cruise passengers went on hunger strike after an engine failure ruined their plan to visit Antarctica

Tech Insider : Business
Swan Hellenic's SH Vega in the Lemaire Channel off Antarctica
Swan Hellenic canceled a leg to Antarctica after an engine issue.

Courtesy of Swan Hellenic

My kids finally convinced me to go on a cruise. The typical megaships aren't for me, but I found a way better alternative.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
jamie's kids on an expedition cruise in iceland
My kids loved all the activities on our expedition cruise to Iceland.

Jamie Davis Smith

I spent $2 million restoring a cruise ship I bought on Craigslist. The project took over my life, but I don't regret it.

Tech Insider : Travel
Willson at the stern of the Aurora cruise liner.
Christopher Willson bought the Aurora cruise ship on Craigslist in 2010, tried restoring it, and then sold it in 2023.

Courtesy of Christoper Willson

Greece doubles down on its anti-cruise rebellion

Tech Insider : Travel
Tourists taking photos in Santorini
The Greek government has announced that cruise passengers must pay a €20 ($22) tax to visit some of its most popular islands during peak summer months.

ARIS OIKONOMOU

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