My family of 5 went on our first cruise. We had fun, but there are 4 things I wish we'd known before getting on the ship.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Chris, his wife, and three sons smile in front of a cruise ship.
There are a few things I wish I had known before our first cruise.

Chris Thomas

I ate dinner at one of Ina Garten's favorite restaurants. It was worth every penny.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
nick and toni's meal
I spent $203.36 on dinner for three at Nick & Toni's in the Hamptons.

Jonah Rosenberg for Business Insider

I visited Salem, Massachusetts, during the peak fall season. I wouldn't make these 8 mistakes again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns on a rock wall with a graveyard in the back.
I made a few mistakes on my trip to Salem during its busiest season: fall.

Amanda Shammas

My mom and I have gone on a trip together every year for the past decade. We've mastered the art of planning them.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Alexa Mellardo and her mom smiling with wine glasses
I always look forward to traveling with my mom.

Alexa Mellardo

What started as a hobby is now a full-fledged business — and Michelin-starred restaurants are among my clients

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A woman working at the pottery wheel.
Belle Yeoh started Buttersage Pottery in her hometown of Penang, Malaysia, in 2022.

Rae Hong.

I don't tell my kids I'll miss them when I travel without them. It's the truth.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Women on catamaran drinking
The author feels no guilt traveling without her kids.

Courtesy of the author

I've stayed in all kinds of places across 100 countries, but there's still one type of accommodation I never book

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Ash Jurberg smiling in front of elephants
I believe the best travel stories happen when you venture beyond an accommodation, and all-inclusive resorts can make it hard for people to want to do so.

Ash Jurberg

I flew sitting in a windowless window seat, and was surprised to find it might be the best spot on the plane for a power nap

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A collage of the author sat on a plane next to a windowless wall, and a Ryanair Boeing 737 at Dublin Airport during sunset on 23 September 2025
The author sleeping, and the Ryanair Boeing 737 he flew on.

Pete Syme/BI

Now that my kids are adults, I don't plan our family trips anymore. I'm struggling with just being a guest with no say.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Silhouette of a Big Family Passengers Waiting for Boarding in the Departure Terminal at the Airport

BlackSalmon/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Our family lived in Japan for 3 years. We're back in the US now and I really miss these 3 things.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author poses in traditional dress she wore during the 3 years she lived abroad in Japan.
The author only lived in Japan for 3 years with her family, but says that 15 years later there are still things that she misses.

Curtesy of Heather Sweeney

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