8 Surprising Lessons from Taking 22 Cruises in 2025

I took 22 cruises in 2025, and somewhere along the way I realized I’d been getting a lot of things wrong. Not in obvious ways, but in small decisions that quietly cost me money, enjoyment, and the experience I thought I was paying for. After more than 100 nights at sea, certain patterns became impossible to ignore. This video breaks down the biggest mindset shifts, assumptions, and cruising habits I had to rethink, and why what most people focus on might not be what actually makes a cruise great. ----- ⚓ Our Trusted Travel Partners: 🤝 🛳️ Ready to Book Your Next Cruise? Cruises It makes planning easy! Get expert advice and the best deals here: 👉 https://bit.ly/dream-cruise-fas 🌍 Save Big on Excursions! Skip the overpriced ship tours and book directly to save money: 👉 https://bit.ly/fas-excursions ----- 🎉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly tips & hacks + immersive vlog experiences: https://bit.ly/subscribe-cruise-hacks ----- 🛒✨ Cruise Products We Recommend ✨🛒 - Sea Bands (to prevent seasickness): https://amzn.to/3YOTGjX - Sea Bands for Kids: https://amzn.to/4cvG1RS - Sea Bands w/ Built-In Aromatherapy: https://amzn.to/3SQ0zO8 - Seasickness Patches: https://amzn.to/3AmF94L - Portable Charger: https://amzn.to/4dNGmAx - Towel Bands (for pool loungers): https://amzn.to/3SXARHx - Water Shoes: https://amzn.to/4dIWxPA - Magnetic Hooks: https://amzn.to/4dqHr1j - Power Strip (w/ no surge protector): https://amzn.to/3yJzuoX ----- 👀 Watch Next 🍿 https://youtu.be/qMiHVOql4_g https://youtu.be/bM4ZI8FS3xo https://youtu.be/cggiftmgowA https://youtu.be/69N7oMQ5DcI https://youtu.be/fLUgYfN5qAA ----- Join our NEW Facebook Group for all sorts of cruising tips, tricks, and deals! Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea ----- Disclosure: Hey there! Just a heads-up – some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a little commission, but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! I only recommend stuff that I genuinely love from companies I trust. Thank you for your support! ----- Business & Media Opportunities: Please contact Evan at partners@familyatsesa.travel ----- 🌍🙋‍♂️ Who We Are 🙋‍♀️🌍 Family at Sea chronicles the cruising adventures of our family of four as we set sail across the globe aboard different cruise ships and cruise lines, including MSC, Disney Cruise Lines (DCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), P&O, Explora Journeys, Costa, Margaritaville at Sea, and more! ----- 📧💬 Contact Us & Follow Us on Social Media! 📱📲 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyAtSea - Facebook: https://facebook.com/FamilyAtSea.travel - Facebook Group: Family Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Deals: https://facebook.com/groups/familyatsea - Instagram: https://instagram.com/FamilyAtSea.travel ----- #CruiseTIps #CruiseLessons #FamilyAtSea ----- 00:00 Intro 01:17 Lesson #1 02:26 Lesson #2 03:38 Lesson #3 04:37 Lesson #4 05:28 Lesson #5 06:19 Lesson #6 07:45 Lesson #7 08:47 Lesson #8 09:39 What I'm Changing in 2026