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.

Reimphoto/Getty Images

My family of 3 just booked a 6-night Bahamas vacation for $400. Here are our 8 secrets to getting the best travel deals.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
michelle posing in santorini
I've traveled all over the world to destinations like Santorini on a strict budget.

Michelle Maves

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

I've been on more than 20 cruises. Here are the 9 things I never buy on board.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
cruise ship docked in port
I rarely ever buy a drink package, regardless of which cruise line I'm sailing with.

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I sailed on Margaritaville at Sea's newest ship. The 5-night cruise is a pretty great value, but I wouldn't go again.

Tech Insider : Travel
Margaritaville Islander at Cozumel
I cruised with Margaritaville at Sea's Islander this year.

Lauren Mack

I'm an introvert who hates crowds. Here's how I made my first cruise an enjoyable experience.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Laurel poses near a mural of a cruise ship and a palm tree on a brick wall.
As an introvert, I was nervous about going on my first cruise.

Laurel Maxwell

Greece is in the middle of an anti-cruise rebellion, with locals complaining about over-tourism and trashed streets

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Tourists gather and take photos in the town of Oia in Santorini
A crowd gathers to take photos in Santorini.

Marcos del Mazo/Getty Images

I've gone on cruises for as little as $60 a day. Here are my 6 secrets to finding last-minute travel deals.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
People riding horses on sands of Half Moon Cay with cruise ship in background
Half Moon Cay is just one of the many Caribbean ports I've visited.

Peggy Cleveland

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