10 things I wish I'd done differently on my first cruise, from booking a better room to avoiding specialty restaurants

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author stares at food in a restaurant (L) an arrow pointing out the window of the stateroom
Business Insider's reporter took her first cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I worried my husband and I wouldn't last once we became empty-nesters — but we've since discovered how to keep our 24-year marriage strong

Tech Insider : Travel
Felicia Slattery and her husband dining on a cruise ship and smiling
My husband and I try to go on two cruises together a year.

Felicia Slattery

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.

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