I took a seven-day voyage on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, my first cruise ever. I found the reality of cruising didn’t match my expectations from social media and promotional ads.

Today, in my mid-40s, I write about cruising for a living and still completely adore it—in fact, I recently completed my 20th ocean cruise. But this year, I wanted to branch out.

As a former cruise employee and frequent cruiser, I always organize my cabin on cruises.; When packing for a cruise, I put a swimsuit in my carry-on bag and bring my own French press.; I pay ...

I'm a cruise expert: here's my Ultimate Guide to the best luxury spas on the high seas - and the ships YOU need to book now. By LESLEY BELLEW . Published: 08:09 EDT, 29 March 2025 | Updated: 08:10 ...

I Planned a River Cruise With 48 of My Closest Friends and Family — Here’s How You Can, Too. Here's how I pulled off the trip of a lifetime.