This 31-year-old woman has been on 76 cruises. Here are her 9 tips for first-time, budget, and crowd-adverse cruisers.

• Emma Le Teace, known online as "Emma Cruises," has been on 76 sailings at age 31.

• Le Teace quit her job in 2021 to become a full-time cruise content creator.

• Here are her 9 tips for a great voyage, from how to avoid crowds to which cabins to book.

For Emma Le Teace, cruises aren't just a vacation — they're her livelihood.

She was 11 years old when she went on her first vacation at sea. Now 31, Le Teace said she's been on 76 voyages at an average of about 10 a year — including the first sailing out of the UK after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I just love getting on a ship, sorting out my stuff, and then waking up and being like, 'Where am I today?' or 'What do I want to do today?'" Le Teace told Business Insider. "It's so accessible compared to regular travel, which tires me out an awful lot now."

She quit her data development desk job in 2021 to become a full-time cruise content creator and, as of this year, cofounder of personal voyage tracker The Cruise Globe.

The risk has paid off. UK-based Le Teace (or "Emma Cruises," as social media knows her) has accumulated a legion of dedicated cruise comrades — to the tune of about 380,000 YouTube subscribers and 65,500 TikTok followers.

Her videos help travelers decide if a particular voyage might be a good fit for them — which means she has plenty of advice to share.

Here are nine of her top tips, from avoiding seasickness and crowds, to an Arctic cruise you might not have known about.

1. Certain itineraries and cabins may make you more prone to seasickness.

La Teace has been on more cruises than most people will in a lifetime. Yet, she's only been seasick about five times.

Her tip? Avoid itineraries like an Arctic Circle or transatlantic sailing in the winter, when (and where) you're more likely to encounter a storm.

Similarly, consider a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin. And if you do feel queasy, avoid indulging in your drinks package.

2. Still set on that Arctic cruise? Consider a little-known ferry company.

In 2024, La Teace spent 12 days cruising the Arctic Circle and Norway with Havila Voyages, a Norwegian ferry company.

Unlike ocean cruises, which often spend a day at one destination, the ferry stopped at up to seven ports daily, lingering between 20 minutes to two hours at each destination.

"I would much prefer to have lots of little ports a day rather than one really long one," La Teace said. "I can put on my coat and snow boots, run outside, have a look at the town, and come back."

There was no onboard entertainment or traditional theater. Still, she had plenty of fun, and the food and cabin were surprisingly comparable to those of a conventional cruise liner.

"It was every bit as nice as a cruise," she said. "I think most people would like that if they did cruising."

(Pro tip: La Teace said if you like Alaska voyages, you'll likely enjoy Norway, too. Similarly, if you prefer beachy Caribbean cruises, you'll likely appreciate Mediterranean and Canary Islands itineraries.)

3. Consider when a balcony cabin (virtual or not) is worth the cost.

As a budget cruiser, Le Teace frequently opts for "guaranteed" inside cabins.

The more exciting the itinerary, and the further she is from home, the more likely she will splurge on a balcony cabin. "If I'm going to go all the way to Alaska from the UK, I want to see as much as I can," she said.

However, the same can't be said for Royal Caribbean's "virtual balcony" cabins.

As the name suggests, these accommodations have a large digital screen that displays a live view of the ship's exterior, akin to a real window.

In reality, Le Teace said it was confusing: The screen was on the wrong wall and showed the view from the wrong side of the ship.

Was it helpful to check the weather? Yes. Was it nice to see the birds flying by? Yes. However, "it didn't convince me in any way," she said, noting that she wouldn't go out of her way for it again. "It wasn't like, pull the curtains, and your brain's going to think that's a window."

4. If you're seeking a quiet space, go to a bar that isn't open yet.

Le Teace prefers avoiding big crowds — even if that means swimming on a rainy day when everyone else is inside.

If you're the same, she suggests spending your afternoon at a bar that doesn't open until the evening.

You won't be able to order drinks, but the lounge seating will still be there. Plus, you can always bring beverages from another bar.

5. Avoid the dinner rush by eating when the main dining room opens.

The cruise expert eats her main dining room dinner at 5 p.m., when many open, to avoid long lines during peak hours.

You can always stop by the buffet later at night if you're feeling peckish. (She's especially partial to Celebrity's, which she said is often stocked with fresh vegetables and fruit.)

6. Shoulder season sailings can be a good bang for your buck.

Le Teace suggests budget travelers research the most popular months for their itinerary of choice and book their cruise for either the month before or after them.

For example, she recommends Mediterranean cruises in June or September. You'll bypass the family crowds and, subsequently, higher fares, of July and August while still catching the warm weather.

7. First-timers should go on a weeklong cruise.

Royal Caribbean's latest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas, exclusively operates three- and four-night cruises to attract first-timers.

However, the career cruiser suggests newcomers should go on five to seven-day sailings instead.

Short itineraries tend to be rowdier and boozier than longer ones. Plus, it'll give first-timers more time to explore the ship, try the food, and live in the cabin.

Le Teace has done three- and seven-day voyages on the same ship. She said it was a "night and day difference," adding that "everyone is in the bars trying to get drunk" on the shorter one. "You can try a short cruise, but just know it's not a representation of what a longer cruise is like."

8. Check all of the cabin prices, whether you're going solo or as a group.

If you're traveling with a large group, it could be cheaper to reserve a large suite than for everyone to book individual cabins.

Or, if you're going alone and plan to book a solo cabin, check the price of non-solo staterooms. Cruise lines could increase the cost of single-person accommodations if demand outpaces availability — so much so that a double-occupancy balcony cabin could be cheaper, she said.

9. Pick cruise lines and ships according to who you'll travel with.

Le Teace said her parents enjoy traditional but not too formal cruises, such as Princess and Azamara.

Inversely, when she's sailed with friends who don't care for dress codes, she's opted for Norwegian or MSC.

If she's vacationing with her young nieces, her preference is Royal Caribbean or P&O, adding that Royal Caribbean's mega-ships would also be her pick if she's bringing first-timers and wants to "blow their minds."

However, she doesn't care for these mega-ships — filled with more amenities than you can accomplish in a few days — if she's prioritizing exploring the ports over enjoying the onboard experience.

"I cannot be in two places at once," she said.

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