As someone who grew up sailing with Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, I was hesitant to book a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line. The party atmosphere of the cruise line never appealed to me, even throughout my early 20s. 

Cruise ships are a foodie's heaven. There's something for every craving, whether it's late-night pizza, a juicy steak, seafood, or salad for those looking for a lighter option. Plus, it's possible to not spend an extra dime on food—so long as you stick to the complimentary restaurants. 

That said, cruise lines aren't typically known for their high-quality food. While that's not to say you won't have delicious meals, not everything offered will be the same quality you would expect in fine-dining restaurants. 

Today's newest cruise ships offer the most onboard dining options and activities, such as innovative restaurants like Royal Caribbean's Utopia Station: Royal Railway and Carnival's BOLT rollercoaster. However, just because one cruise ship is newer than another doesn't make it better.

Having sailed primarily on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Freedom Class, I wondered why many cruisers remained loyal to the dated Vision Class ships, which launched over 20 years ago. 

Nassau is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, receiving over 5 million cruise passengers per year. In fact, over 60% of people who visit the Bahamas sail into Nassau on a cruise ship! 

It's a popular port on 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries, as well as select Caribbean voyages. To make the most of your time in Nassau, you will want to make sure that you research and plan ahead; there's so much to see and do! 

Cruises are a time to kick back, relax, and not think about day-to-day responsibilities. Who wants to worry about cooking and cleaning on vacation?

Even so, there are some rules—both explicit and implied—that you should follow while onboard. You should not, for instance, smoke in areas that are not designated for smoking or engage in any unruly or disruptive behavior. You could end up cooling off in cruise ship jail or stuck with a hefty fine! 

Chair hogs are one of the most annoying parts of a cruise. A sunny sea day can be instantly ruined by guests who rush to throw towels, books, and other belongings on the pool chairs, even if they have no intention of returning for hours. 

While cruise lines try to limit chair hogs by monitoring which chairs are actively used, there's only so much they can do. You will inevitably find guests who don't care if they frustrate others and leave their belongings on chairs to attempt to reserve them for later. 

Disney Cruise Line is one of the pricier mainstream options, so I avoided it for years, opting for more budget-friendly lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. 

However, growing up sailing with Disney and having fond family memories aboard Disney Magic and Fantasy, I longed for the day I'd return to the most magical ships at sea—there's nothing quite like sailing with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and your other favorite pals!

You won't go hungry on a Carnival cruise, from multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to hearty poolside burgers from Guy's Burger Joint. Though plenty of dining options are included, some cruisers may want to splurge on a meal in one of the ship's specialty restaurants. 

Have you ever wondered how you've traveled from Point A to Point B so fast while on your cruise vacation? 

You are not in your typical vehicle weaving through cars on the highway; there isn’t any traffic; and you aren’t stressing about getting to your destination at a certain time.

It is crucial to remind yourself that this is a completely different ballpark—you are on a big ship in the middle of the ocean where you are not in a rush! Your hands are not on 10 and 2, and there's no need to slam the breaks. You can simply relax as you glide across the water.