I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should stop wasting money on.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
two royal caribbean cruise ships at cococay
Cruises can come with a lot of hidden costs and expenses.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I stayed in a gorgeous 2-story overwater bungalow for $180 a night, and I didn't even have to shell out for the Maldives to do it

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
green and yellow overwater bungalow in panama
Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge in Panama has overwater bungalows.

Eibhlis Gale-Coleman

Cruises are expensive but they're the best value. My family's cruise cost $3,500 cheaper than a similar trip on land.

Tech Insider : Travel
Photo collage of cruise ship with a money background.
With the recent higher demand for cruises has come higher prices.

Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

When you should — and shouldn't — book an all-inclusive vacation, according to an expert

Tech Insider : Travel
Vacation in Santorini.
Choosing between all-inclusive and booking separately depends on what kind of vacation you want.

grinvalds/iStock

I took a last-minute trip to a stunning South Carolina beach town with a laid-back vibe. The quiet beaches weren't even the best part.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
An open book with a blue umbrella and beach in the background. Several people on the beach have umbrellas and tents
My friend and I took a trip to Hilton Head Island.

Julie Peck

The last time we traveled as a family of 6, we spent $6000. I refuse to make the same mistake this summer.

Tech Insider : Travel
A happy family outdoors in nature, while the children are playing and blowing bubbles.

Getty Images

Forget fighting crowds in Paris this summer. My charming Canadian city has plenty of museums, baguettes, and francophones.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
people walking down a street in old montreal
Montreal is a city in Quebec, Canada.

Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock

I stayed at an all-inclusive Margaritaville for $350 a night. I left convinced it's the best resort in Mexico — and I'm not even a Jimmy Buffett fan.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
5 o'clock somewhere bar at margaritaville cancun
There are plenty of references to the late Jimmy Buffett throughout the resort.

Simone Paget

Praise be: Travel agents are back

Tech Insider : Travel, Economy, Travel
Photo illustration of a white glove holding up a vacation tray.
Travel agents are pitching overwhelmed millennials and Gen Zers a stress-free vacation.

Edmon de Haro for BI

I've been going to Disney World for 30 years. Here are 7 tips for surviving the parks in the summer heat.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
megan posing for a photo in front of cinderella castle at disney world and a shot of typhoon lagoon water park at disney world
After going to Disney World for 30 years, I know how to survive the heat.

Megan duBois

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