I went on my first cruise — here are 15 things that surprised me about this type of travel

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author on the largest cruise ship in the world
The reporter's first cruise was on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I didn't think Delta Comfort would be worth the upgrade. I was wrong.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A set of Delta Comfort seats by a window
Business Insider's reporter upgraded to Delta Comfort for a flight from Fort Myers, Florida, to NYC.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked the cheapest accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A close up of the exterior of a blue sleeping car on a train
Business Insider's reporter got no sleep in a reclining seat on an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a private bedroom on a 30-hour Amtrak ride for $1,000. Check out the 45-square-foot space with a full bathroom.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author wakes up to morning light in the train bed.
Business Insider's reporter spent 30 hours in an Amtrak bedroom while traveling from Miami to New York.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I flew first class with Delta for the first time, and 10 things surprised me

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of a blue first-class Delta flight seat and the author sitting in a window seat in first class
The author flew first-class with Delta for the first time and was surprised by the amenities and service.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I stayed at the 5-star Four Seasons in Palm Beach, Florida. I regret booking just one night.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The Four Seasons West Palm Beach seen at night with a pool glowing beneath palm trees in front og the building
The author stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a five-star hotel in South Florida.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I rode in business and first class on Amtrak's NextGen Acela, the fastest train in the US. Here's how they compared.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
People board a train on the right in an underground platform
The author traveled in first and business class on the Amtrak NextGen train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid $500 to fly first class with Delta for the first time. It was great, but not worth the upgrade for a 3-hour trip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author sitting smiling in a first-class window seat on a Delta flight and a row of first class seats
Business Insider's reporter spent three hours in Delta's first class cabin while flying from NYC to West Palm Beach, Florida.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid $500 for a private room with 2 beds and a toilet on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. Take a look inside.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author sitting in a roomette with a window on the left side and a duffel on the right and a close up of the exterior of a silver train sleeper car with a red stripe and a white stripe.
Business Insider's reporter traveled by train down the East Coast from New York to Miami in an Amtrak roomette.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks. Here are the best things I packed and the items I wished I'd left at home.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author took just a backpack on her two-week train journey through Europe, and she had everything she really needed.
The author took just a backpack on her two-week train journey through Europe, and she had everything she really needed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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