I was skeptical about cruises for years. Then, I spent 8 days on one with 12 relatives of all ages.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer's family about to get on a cruise ship to Alaska, pictured in the background.
Before going on this cruise, my family of 13 had never been on vacation together.

Pamela Vachon

I'm a travel planner who's been on over 25 cruises. Here are the 9 biggest mistakes I see cruisers make.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author posing on cruise, cruise ship
I've planned and been on many cruises over the years, and some people make the same mistakes.

Jennifer Greene

I cruised almost the same itinerary with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, and there was a clear winner

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A woman and her husband dining on a cruise ship and smiling.
My husband and I have fallen in love with going on cruises.

Felicia Slattery

I worked on cruises for 3 years and now frequently sail as a passenger. Here are the 10 things I do on every trip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Tammy Barr in a hot tub on a cruise ship
I worked on cruises for years and now I just enjoy going on them as a passenger.

Tammy Barr

I took an ultra-luxury river cruise with only 40 other passengers. I'm not sure how I'll ever sail with the masses again.

Tech Insider : Travel
A view of the exterior of the Scenic Spirit cruise ship in the river with murky water.
The riverboat I sailed on with Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours could only hold 68 passengers.

Jill Schildhouse

I've been on 105-day cruises, but this 13-day one was the toughest. Its itinerary had a major flaw I'll avoid on future trips.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Author Lauren Mack with her arm on a balcony on Norweigan Cruise Line Jewel ship
A port-heavy cruise seems intense for a reason.

Lauren Mack

I've been on more than 25 cruises. Here's how I avoid hidden fees and extra costs every time while drinking for free.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Author Lauren Mack smiling with blue
With over 25 cruises under my belt, I've gotten really good at saving money on cruises.

Lauren Mack

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

Meet these retired sisters in their 60s who live on cruises full-time. They've already spent over 1,500 days at sea.

Tech Insider : Travel
Photo collage featuring a cruise ship at sea, a home with a 'sold' sign, a pile of money, and a rear view of two sisters embracing

Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI

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

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