After over 50 cruises, I no longer book sailings to the Bahamas or the rest of the Caribbean. Here's what I choose instead.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A cruise ship sailing on reflective waters through large mountains dotted with trees
I've been on a lot of cruises but some have been more enjoyable than others.

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I was struggling to figure out what I wanted in life. Going on my first cruise helped.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman standing on deck Queen Mary 2 cruise
Laura Gio Carroll went on her first cruise to celebrate her 40th birthday and rethink her career.

Laura Gio Carroll

A residential cruise ship is still anchored off Belfast after finally being released from its 4-month purgatory

Tech Insider
Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship at Belfast Port.
The Villa Vie Odyssey spent several months at Belfast Harbour.

Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images

Almost every Carnival cruise ship will sail to its upcoming private resort soon — see what it'll be like in Celebration Key

Tech Insider : Travel
rendering of pool next to beach
Most of Carnival Cruise Line's ships would sail to Celebration Key, the company's private resort-like port set to debut in July 2025, as shown in a render.

Carnival Cruise Line

I love cruises, but my wife of 33 years doesn't. I've gone on 30 without her — and the arrangement works for us both.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Man walking on cruise
My wife doesn't enjoy cruises as much as I do so I go alone.

UCG/Getty Images

This woman has been on 17 cruises in the past year. Here are her 9 tips for first-time, budget, and solo cruisers.

Tech Insider : Travel
Shirene Thomas holding lifebuoy that says Iona Southampton
Shirene Thomas has been on 17 cruises in one year as she waits to board a residential cruise ship.

Shirene Thomas

We sailed in an interior cabin on Carnival and an ocean-view room on Royal Caribbean. We'd only book one again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Side by side photos of Royal Caribbean (L) and Carnival (R) room selfies
Joey (L) and Monica (L) in their rooms.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Here's how to avoid being annoying on your first cruise, according to a couple who has been on 80 voyages

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A couple in sunglasses holding drinks takes a selfie in front of a pool deck on a cruise ship
Don and Heidi Bucolo have been on 80 cruises and have etiquette tips for first-timers.

Eat Sleep Cruise

A residential cruise ship that's supposed to sail the world for 3 years has been stuck in Northern Ireland for 3 months

Tech Insider : Travel
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship.
Villa Vie Odyssey has been docked in Belfast since May.

Angela and Stephen Theriac

I've been on more than 20 cruises. Here are the 9 things I never buy on board.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
cruise ship docked in port
I rarely ever buy a drink package, regardless of which cruise line I'm sailing with.

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