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

I've sailed on 50 cruises. Here are 4 I'd book again as someone without kids.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
megan posing with mickey and minnie on a disney cruise
I've sailed on eight cruise lines, including Disney's ships.

Megan duBois

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

Cruises are more expensive than ever. But a deal isn't impossible — if you have restraint

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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

Royal Caribbean's latest mega-ship has set sail with new restaurants and amenities that were missing from its predecessor

Tech Insider : Travel
Utopia of the Seas on water
Royal Caribbean launched its sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, on Friday — just six months after Icon of the Seas' inaugural sailing.

Royal Caribbean International

I've taken over 30 cruises by myself. I was lonely for a few until I realized I'd cracked the code for the perfect getaway.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Cruise ship in water
Many people go on solo cruises around the globe.

Алексей Облов/Getty Images

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

I sailed on a Carnival cruise for the first time and saw why they're so popular for budget vacations

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I went on my first Mediterranean cruise and made one mistake I still regret a year later

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: The author wearing orange and black on a cruise ship balcony with open waters behind her. Right: A wide view of palm trees in front of buildings and mountains in Barcelona.
Business Insider's travel reporter took her first European cruise through the Mediterranean Sea.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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