I swore by booking 'guarantee' cabins to save money on cruises. After a few nightmare experiences, I'd never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Allie Hubers and husband on balcony on Serenade Alaska cruise
I spent years swearing by "guarantee" cabins to save money on cruises. After dozens of sailings, my luck began to run out.

Allie Hubers

Seasoned cruisers say you should know these 8 things before setting foot on your first cruise

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A wide view of Wonder of the Seas cruise ship from the top deck
Seasoned cruisers' tips for first-timers can save you money and help you make the most of your trip.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've been on more than 50 cruises. There are 9 things I never buy on board.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Amanda Adler in front of cruise ship
I've sailed on a lot of cruises, which has helped me figure out what's a great deal and what's better to skip.

Amanda Adler

I stayed in the divisive Infinite Veranda cabin on my Celebrity cruise. I've never seen anything like it, but that's not a bad thing.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Allie Hubers smiling in front of Celebrity Edge cruise ship, taking selfie
Celebrity Edge's Infinite Veranda cabin's flexibility, privacy, and uninterrupted views made it perfect for enjoying New Zealand's breathtaking scenery.

Allie Hubers

I paid $35,000 a person for a 10-night ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton cruise through Japan. Here's what that price got us.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Sports
Composite of woman and man smiling in selfie in Japan next to image of interior of cruise ship cabin
Our ultra-luxury cruise through Japan aboard Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Luminara felt special.

David Morris

7 surprising things I learned when I booked my first cruise

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author holds a passport at an airport (L) Wonder of the seas cruise ship (R)
The author booked her first cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Denis Thaust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

I'm a travel planner who's been on over 26 cruises. Here are 10 things I always pack and 2 I never bring.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Aerial view of cruise ship docked in blue waters next to island
I've spent years figuring out the best things to bring on a cruise, plus a few items worth leaving behind.

George Pachantouris/Getty Images

10 side-by-side photos show how a Royal Caribbean cruise ship transforms with colorful lights at night

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Deck 15 on the world's largest cruise ship during the day and at night
Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas during the day and at night.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

What is hantavirus? What to know after 3 deaths tied to a cruise ship outbreak

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Cruise ship MV Hondius
The cruise ship MV Hondius.

AFP via Getty Images

8 things I learned when I sailed solo on my first cruise, from how to meet people to having to pay a 'single supplement'

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author smiles in a sunhat in front of a cruise ship.
Business Insider's reporter traveled solo during her first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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