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

Cruising is a popular vacation that Business Insider's reporter found to be less glamorous than it appears on social media and in ads.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• 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.

I booked my first-ever cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022. The seven-day Caribbean voyage on a mega-ship took me round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to port stops in Honduras, Mexico, and the Bahamas. I expected breathtaking views of the world between relaxing swimming and sunbathing sessions.

But my experience didn't quite meet my expectations.

Instead, I sunbathed in a loud, crowded pool area when I was lucky enough to find a chair. I spent more time waiting in lines than I had anticipated, and I saw much of the world from behind other people's heads.

Here's an overview of the most disappointing aspects of my cruise, from getting to the port to sailing across the region