I've been on over 50 cruises as an employee and passenger. Here are 8 things you should know before booking a trip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
cruise ship at sea
Even though I'm a seasoned cruiser, before I book, I always research the ports, the ship, and my potential cabin.

Tammy Barr

I always recommend Norwegian to first-time cruisers. My trip on its latest $860-a-person ship shows exactly why.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Brittany Chang smiling in front of Norwegian Luna ship
My time on Norwegian Luna left me pretty impressed and reminded me why I often recommend this cruise line to others.

Brittany Chang

I was on the first-ever Disney cruise; this summer, I'll take my 100th. Now I get to enjoy them with my adult children and grandkids.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A family of eight on a cruise ship with a woman dressed in a Disney costume.
Faith Colletti and her family of eight met Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" on a Christmas-themed cruise.

Courtesy of Faith Colletti

I took my first cruise solo, and 6 things surprised me

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

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went on a 7-night cruise with my husband and his extended family. Despite our different travel styles, we had a blast.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Two men smiling on Alaskan cruise
Ultimately, our multigenerational cruise with extended family was a lot of fun and we made sure to have alone time, too.

Timothy Moore

I stayed in a $2,850-per-person balcony cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship. Here's what it's like.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Brittany Chang smiling in room on Norwegian Luna
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Brittany Chang

I took a Costa Caribbean cruise for about $100 a day. Despite some disappointments, I'd do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Beach with cruise ship in the distance
Although it was not perfect, my Costa Cruises experience turned out to be a pretty great value.

Becky Pokora

I took my first cruise and made 10 mistakes that spoiled my voyage

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author wearing pants and a sweater on the top deck of a cruise ship
Business Insider's reporter took her first cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should pack and 5 they shouldn't.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
woman in a sunbonnet relaxes on the top deck of a cruise ship during her vacation at sea
I (not pictured) have gotten very good at packing for cruises after working on many of them.

Jeff R Clow/Getty Images

I've upgraded to concierge level on 4 Disney cruises. It's really only worth it for one perk.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Jill Robbins and her husband smiling at a beach in the bahamas
After many Disney cruises, there's just one concierge perk that really stands out to me.

Jill Robbins

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