This woman has been on 17 cruises in the past year. Here are her 9 tips for first-time, budget, and solo cruisers.

29.09.2024 - 14:27 / insider.com

According to the trade group Cruise Lines International Association, 10% of cruisers go on three to five vacations at sea a year.

Or, if you're like Shirene Thomas, you go on 17 a year.

Thomas, a retired social worker and actor in her 50s, told Business Insider that she calls herself "homeless all over the world." And for good reason — in late September 2023, Thomas "gave up everything" and uprooted her life in Wilmington, North Carolina, to move onto a residential cruise ship.

She had initially committed to Life at Sea Cruises' three-year sailing, then scheduled to depart in November 2023. But when the company, unable to acquire a ship, dramatically canceled the voyage just two weeks before embarkation, Thomas decided to reserve a cabin on Villa Vie's never-ending cruise.

Villa Vie Odyssey plans to circumnavigate the world every 3 ½ years, stopping at 147 countries and 425 ports in its first trip. The ship was initially set to sail in May, but certification and mechanical issues have since delayed its launch.

In the interim, Thomas has been scratching her around-the-world cruise itch with (you guessed it) more cruises.

So far, she's been on 17 sailings — 11 with Norwegian Cruise Line and some back-to-back — since she left the US one year ago.

She now estimates she's cruised 50 times in her life. And throughout her time at sea, she's picked up plenty of tips and tricks to maximize her budget and happiness, although it doesn't take much to fulfill the latter.

"My worst day on a cruise ship is better than my best day on land," Thomas said. "I really like cruising."

If you're a first-time, budget, or solo cruiser, Thomas has nine suggestions for you, from sailing solo to finding the cheapest cruise.

Different cruise lines target different demographics, from adult-only Virgin Voyages to Gen X-friendly Celebrity Cruises. Thomas suggests travelers wanting to achieve loyalty status should test two or three companies before settling on a favorite.

And if you're a budget traveler, your pick doesn't have to be whichever has the cheapest itineraries. If you stay loyal to one brand over an extended period, the extra perks could save you plenty of cash.

Thomas said she currently has Sapphire status — the third highest — with Norwegian Cruise Line. With this comes bonuses like free bags of laundry, behind-the-scenes tours, and specialty restaurant vouchers.

Some cruise companies charge solo travelers a "single supplement" fee to compensate for lost revenue on dual occupancy cabins. To avoid this surcharge, book a cruise line that offers single-person staterooms — like Norwegian, which added about 1,000 additional solo cabins to its fleet in 2024.

Thomas calls Norwegian the most solo traveler-friendly cruise line.