I sailed on a Carnival cruise for the first time and saw why they're so popular for budget vacations

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I went on my first Mediterranean cruise and made one mistake I still regret a year later

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: The author wearing orange and black on a cruise ship balcony with open waters behind her. Right: A wide view of palm trees in front of buildings and mountains in Barcelona.
Business Insider's travel reporter took her first European cruise through the Mediterranean Sea.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've worked on cruises for nearly 10 years. Here are 7 things I'd never do a ship.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
people walking onto cruise ship
There are some thing cruise employees probably wouldn't do on a ship.

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I quit my desk job to work on cruises 10 years ago. It has its drawbacks, but I've seen 79 countries.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Young woman looking at view from the boat on the Ithaca island in Greece
I (not pictured) quit my full-time job in New York City to work onboard a cruise ship.

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You Can Uber a Yacht for 1,600 Euros This Summer

Gizmodo

Uber Yacht Ibiza

See the secret lounges where the crew on a new ultra-luxury cruise ship spend their free time — from a spa to a hidden bar

Tech Insider : Travel
a person sitting in a massage chair in a crew-only area of Silversea's new Silver Ray
The crew on Silversea's new Silver Ray cruise ship have amenities like a small spa with a steam room and massage chairs.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

My first cruise was a 7-day disappointment. Even worse, it left me feeling sick long after touching dry land.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Author Brittany VanDerBill taking a selfie on a cruise next to her holding a drink in front of a rainy view
I feel no need to book another cruise anytime soon.

Brittany VanDerBill

I tried to spend as little as possible on Carnival's newest cruise ship. I recommend shelling out for better food and more fun.

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
I snubbed all upcharges on the new Carnival Firenze except for WiFi. I wouldn't recommend it.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I went on my first Carnival cruise — these are the 2 reasons I might not do it again

Tech Insider : Travel
person taking picture of Carnival Firenze cruise ship
I sailed on Carnival's new ship, Carnival Firenze, in May. I have two major gripes about the experience: the mediocre food and the incessant upselling.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

My first cruise with my son was a nightmare. We lost power twice, had to shower with flip-flops, and couldn't make 2 of our destinations.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman looking out a window on a cruise.

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