Insider reporters have traveled on cruise ships.
Since the world returned to cruising in 2021, they have spent 25 days at sea together.
Large crowds and long lines were not good for some people.
Insider's reporters have traveled on cruise ships for a cumulative 24 days. The reporter had a good time.
Our reporters were expecting scenic views, adventure, and lots of space to relax.
Large crowds, long lines, and confusion were some of the things they encountered.
Disappointing photos show what a cruise ship is like.
Joey Hadden experienced the first of many crowded bus rides as she headed from the airport to the cruise port.
The world's largest cruise ship has eight neighborhoods spread across 18 stories.
Hadden was excited to see the ocean as she sailed away but was blocked by a crowd of people.
The world's largest cruise ship is Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
She was surprised to discover that the world's largest cruise ship felt crowded at times.
Hadden didn't have a lot of time to herself outside of her cabin.
The pools were crowded.
There were 19 pools, plunge pools, and whirlpools accessible to guests on the Wonder of the Seas.
Finding a place to relax on the pool decks was difficult because they were often filled with people.
Hadden couldn't find an open chair on the Wonder of the Sea's pool deck.
A Royal Caribbean representative told Insider that crew members might remove items from lounge chairs after 30 minutes, but they must also consider families and groups who may be in the pool or going to the restroom.
Hadden found it too windy and cold to enjoy the pool if she waited until the evening.
I packed just a carry-on and a backpack for my cruise. I brought 10 items and 7 items that I wish I had with me.
Monica said that the crowds on CarnivalVista took away from her ability to relax.
I was on the first ship of Carnival Cruise Line. From boarding to excursions and everything in between, here is what it was like.
The comedy show was one of the most popular places on the cruise ship.
Monica had to sit in the back of the auditorium because she didn't arrive early.
Monica was told that Carnival's comedy shows are popular with their guests, which is why they offer multiple performances several times during their sailings. The comedy venue has seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some reporters had to wait in long lines.
The reporters encountered a lot of long lines while on their cruises.
The reporters had to stand in long lines when they disembarked the ship.
There were a lot of people waiting with Hadden to check into the Wonder of the Seas.
There were long lines to disembark the CarnivalVista at each port.
There were long lines at the buffet.
Passengers packed the main buffet area on the Wonder of the Sea.
There were long wait times at the service desk on the CarnivalVista cruise.
She hated going to the service desk. She spoke to passengers who said they had waited more than an hour to speak to someone.
Monica was upset that there weren't more people to help passengers with their hiccups, and she wondered if she should sacrifice time on the ship in order to get help.
The instructions could have been simpler. The labels on the buffet weren't always right.
She often found herself at the buffet while eating at a few of the ship's restaurants. Food didn't seem to be labeled correctly. Monica had a cheese empanada for her first meal. She realized right away that it was pork.
She asked a crew member working the buffet if the spring rolls had meat and was told they were vegetarian, but after taking a bite she found meat again.
On the Queen Elizabeth, where you sit in the dining room on the first night is where you'll sit for the rest of the cruise. She had to eat alone.
Friel hadn't been on a cruise before she boarded the Queen Elizabeth ship in October 2021.
She thought she would eat alone for the first night and then sit with a group later when she made friends. It was not the case.
Each night, she sat by herself. She made friends at the tables next to her, but it was awkward as their food would be delivered at different times.
I wish I knew a few things before I set foot on a ship.
Not being more experienced was one of the reasons for some of the disappointment. Some of the first-timers wanted to bring warmer clothes.
I packed just a carry-on and a backpack for my cruise. I brought 10 items and 7 items that I wish I had with me.
She wished she had brought thicker pullovers and long-sleeved shirts to keep her warm.
The Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Wish, was sailing in September of 2022, and it was the first time that a person had ever traveled by ship.
She was not prepared for the cold air-conditioning that blasted indoors all the time. She and her sister went to restaurants and bars in the cold.
I packed just a carry-on and personal item for the cruise. Here are some things I'm glad I brought.
Friel found the cold winds on the upper decks of her cruise ship to be challenging and regretted not bringing more warm clothes.
Europe in the fall can be pretty cold so I wore a coat. I wish I had brought a bigger selection of warmer clothes and accessories to wear on the outdoor areas of the ship that were affected by the wind. It wouldn't have been a problem if a woolly hat and gloves were present.
I packed for my first cruise with a suitcase and backpack. I wish I had packed more of these things.
Each reporter left their ships with positive memories, and they're all aware of the things they didn't do well.
There were many positives even though the reporters experienced some speed bumps.
The reporters were able to understand a popular way to travel. The group ate a lot of food.
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