Disappointing photos show what it's actually like to go on a cruise

• My first cruise was on the largest cruise ship in the world.

• The reality of cruising was not in line with my expectations.

• I battled crowds, waited in lines, and sat in tour buses.

When I booked my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, I was expecting to see a lot of the world.

The experience of cruising for the first time was not what I was expecting.

I was fortunate to find a chair in the crowded pool area. I waited longer than I anticipated. I could see a lot of the world from other people's heads.

The disappointment began before I left. My trip began with a flight and a budget hotel room near my port in Fort Lauderdale since I don't live nearby.

I had to wait 45 minutes for a hotel shuttle to pick me up after arriving at the airport. I wish I'd called a cab for the first bus ride.

I went to the port after I piled into a bus that was too hot for me.

I didn't expect the Fort Lauderdale Port to be so beautiful.

I should have known by this point that I would be standing in many more lines during my cruise because of the long line to get inside the terminal.

There was a long line inside the terminal. I chuckled as I read signs that said "Adventure begins here."

I was excited to see the ocean as we sailed away, but I couldn't find a place to stand because of tall glass.

I wish I knew a few things before I set foot on a ship.

I got lost a few times while I was on the ship. The maps on the floors were helpful.

I was surprised to see that the world's largest cruise ship still felt crowded at times.

Many of the communal decks looked like a crowded mall to me.

I went to Starbucks on a cruise ship and was surprised at how similar it was to stores on land.

There were a lot of people in line at the buffet.

I ate on the world's largest cruise ship. The dishes that I had are listed.

Usually the pools were busy.

There are 19 pools, plunge pools, and whirlpools accessible to guests on the Wonder of the Seas.

We looked at every aspect of the ships. It's like sailing on each.

The pool decks were usually packed.

Even though there were rules against saving chairs with towels, I still saw a lot of people doing it.

Crew members might take items from lounge chairs after 30 minutes. They need to consider families and groups who may be in the pool or going to the restroom when they enforce these rules.

It was too windy and cold to enjoy the pool if I waited until the evening.

Many of the cruise ships had long lines.

Every time I left the ship, I had to wait in line for security at the port stops. It made me feel safer, even though it was annoying.

Is a cruise ship going to wait for me if I'm late? This is what a captain says.

Many tourists were excited to begin their tours at the crowded ports.

I had to fight through crowds to find things.

Some of the exploration was done from the window of a hot bus.

The air conditioning standards for local tour operators vary according to a Royal Caribbean representative.

When I was doing the cool thing I booked, like walking across a suspension bridge amid the treetops, my view was often blocked by everyone else who booked the tour, too.

Royal Caribbean has a private island in the Bahamas. I can see why people like it.

I understand why the cruise felt crowded, according to a crew member I heard. If I were to book a less crowded cruise, I would enjoy it more.

I learned that cruising is not for me after taking my first Caribbean cruise.

I will book during the off- season to avoid crowds.

Although my first cruise didn't go as planned, I still have hope that one day I'll be able to go on a cruise.

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