I've been on 100 cruises and sailed with every major cruise line. Here's what I've learned along the way.

One hundred embarkations. One hundred cabins. One hundred sailaways, dining assignments and itineraries. One hundred cruises: It's a milestone I never dreamed I'd hit when I began my career as a cruise editor nearly 20 years ago. But, as it turns out, my most recent voyage was also what I've dubbed my "centennisailing."

I bring this up not to brag, but rather to share what I've learned. Most passengers who reach 100 cruises do so with the same few cruise lines after finding the ones they love. I, on the other hand, have tried every mainstream cruise line that exists, more than once, along with most luxury and river lines — and a handful of expedition ones too. I don't have high-level loyalty status, but what I do have is some perspective that, hopefully, will remind us all to stop and smell the ocean breeze.

Here are 15 pieces of advice from the lessons I've learned along the way.

There really is a cruise for everyone

Whenever I hear someone say they went on a cruise and didn't like it, the first thought that crosses my mind is that they didn't pick the right one for them. Has every cruise I've taken been the right one for me? No, but it's the right cruise for someone .

Whether you're traveling solo or with a group, in your 20s or enjoying retirement , looking to hike glaciers or relax on the pool deck, on a budget or planning to splurge, there's a cruise for you. If you need help finding it, contact a travel adviser who can help you find the perfect fit.

• Related: 16 expert tips for first-time cruisers

You don't always have to stay with your group

If you are traveling with others, don't make the mistake of thinking that it's not a vacation unless you spend every waking minute in each other's company. If you want to skip an activity, skip it. If you want to do something that nobody else is interested in, go anyway.

Split up so everyone can do something they enjoy, then come back together for lunch, dinner or a group activity everyone is excited about. That's the beauty of a cruise. You'll be surprised how the time apart can make you all the more eager to meet back up.

Sometimes you just need to check a bag

I normally travel with only carry-on luggage, which forces me to pack wisely when I cruise . For whatever reason, that seems to be one of the widely accepted hallmarks of a savvy traveler, but sometimes, you just need extra space.

Maybe you're headed to the polar regions, where you'll need several layers (some of them bulky) to stay warm. Maybe you want to pack your tuxedo or poofy ballgown for a fancy dinner. Or, maybe you simply want to bring back lots of souvenirs. Regardless, don't feel like you have to prove anything by packing light if that's just not your style.

Solo cruising can be enlightening

I've cruised by myself on most of my sailings, and I find it strange how many people are shocked when they find out I'm alone. I'm often met with "Isn't that lonely?" or "I could never" or "You're so brave." But someone is only brave if the thing they're facing is scary.

I find that voyages I take as a solo cruiser are peaceful — even liberating. Of course, it's nice to have a companion along for the ride, but when I'm alone, I make my own schedule and don't have to share a cabin (or a bathroom) with anyone. My advice: Take the trip, even if you go solo.

Cruises are inherently social vacations

One of the many ways cruises differ from land-based vacations is that they're social by design. If you check into a hotel somewhere, it's unlikely you'll meet the people staying next door or across the hall, and you certainly won't run into them repeatedly while you're out and about in the place you're visiting.

On a ship, though, it's common to see the same people over and over for the duration of your stay. You might even find yourself teaming up with strangers for trivia or sitting with them in the dining room at dinner. My advice? Even if you're shy or introverted, be a joiner. Say hi to your cabin neighbors if you see them in the hall. Strike up conversations with your waiters, bartenders and room stewards. It will only enrich your time on board.

Unplanned port days are often the most fun

If you do go ashore, consider leaving your plans open-ended. Research a few things ahead of time and draw one of them from a hat on the day of.

Or, if you're up for an adventure, simply see where the day takes you. Wander through the streets, get lost and find your way back. Flag down a local cab and ask the driver to take you to the places they enjoy during their free time. I've found some of my most memorable port activities and dining experiences that way. (Just be sure to leave yourself enough time so you don't miss the ship.)

It's OK to stay on board in port

Many new cruisers think they have to disembark when the ship docks in each port. There's certainly no requirement to do so, but self-imposed pressure to see everything ashore can sometimes overshadow what ships have to offer on port days: lots of peace and quiet.

Personally, I stay on board often in ports I've already visited multiple times. Pool deck loungers are easier to come by, lines are shorter for just about everything and if you're someone who enjoys photography, port days are the best time to snag photos with fewer people in the public areas.

Gratuities aren't optional

Because gratuities are, by definition, voluntarily given at the customer's discretion for exceptional service, it would be great if cruise lines called their mandatory, automatic daily gratuities what they actually are: service charges.

However, the misnomer, while irritating, isn't the fault of the people you'll shortchange if you remove those charges from your final bill. Just because you can remove them doesn't mean you should , which is why, to me, they aren't optional.

Leave those crew tips right where they are. They benefit the crew who provide you with everything you need during your sailing, with smiles on their faces and an unbelievable ability to remember your name. Even with those charges tacked onto the bottom line, you still won't find a more economical vacation. You don't have to agree with this, but until tipping culture changes, respect it if you're going to sail.

• Related: How much should you tip on a cruise?

It's important to relax

If you've shelled out money for a voyage, it can be easy to feel like you have to try every activity, eat your weight in food at the buffet and run yourself ragged in every port. But keep in mind that it's a vacation, and vacations are meant to rejuvenate you.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to avoid feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation is to take it easy. Sometimes I spend a whole day in my cabin watching movies if I feel like it. Ultimately, FOMO is overrated.

Sometimes, you have to tune out the naysayers

I've heard all the negative cruise stereotypes , usually from people who have never sailed and know next to nothing about how ships work. It's easy to ignore the ones who say cruises are gross, that they aren't "real" travel or that they're for a certain type of person.

But sometimes the call comes from inside the house. You'll find people who know all about cruises that still try to act like the fun police. Disregard advice if it doesn't work for you, even if it comes from experts. Wear the lanyard, even if it makes you look like a tourist. Book the massage or beauty treatment, even if you'll pay a little more for it than you would on land. Sometimes, convenience wins.

Cruises are a great way to try new foods

If you've been itching to try a certain cuisine or food item, a cruise is the perfect time to do it. If you see something adventurous at the buffet or on the main dining room menu that you're curious about, try it. You might find that you like it, but if you don't, you can simply order something else. In most cases, it won't cost you anything extra.

I've done this with everything from escargot (too squishy for me) and frog legs (taste like chicken) to tarantula (never again). If nothing else, it could be a conversation starter for you down the line.

Inexpensive isn't the same as cheap

Another facet of what makes cruises so great is that they're economical. They bundle a lot into one price , making them logistically easy and generally more affordable than booking the same components individually for land-based travel. You can cruise on just about any budget, but that doesn't mean you'll find a bargain-basement experience.

In fact, my 100th sailing was on the oldest and least expensive cruise ship afloat, and I had a phenomenal time. It was affordable and cheerful. My cabin was clean, the food was adequate to outstanding (depending on the restaurant), and the crew and passengers were friendly. You truly don't have to break the bank to have an enjoyable sailing, and paying a lower price doesn't always mean you'll have to sacrifice quality.

Experiencing the sea at night is a must

Sure, you'll appreciate the ocean during the day when you cruise — powerful waves of white foam against a blue sky here, a spectacular sunset there — but many cruisers seem to forget about it at night. Do yourself a favor and take a walk on the outer decks after dinner or the nightly show.

Not only will the seemingly endless expanse of darkness help you to appreciate the sea's vastness, but you'll be able to better feel the salty breezes without the beating sun counteracting them. Plus, if it's a clear night, the stars overhead are a glittering bonus. I'm always amazed by how calm it all makes me feel. It's a great way to wind down before bedtime and reset for whatever the following day brings.

Many passengers care too much about status

Few interactions are more tiresome to me than fellow passengers flaunting their loyalty status. Online, tens of thousands of threads exist with cruisers discussing loyalty perks and benefits. The people involved often complain about the free gifts they're given or bemoan the fact that too many people now have status or that cruise lines keep watering down the extras.

Frankly, you should cruise because you love it, not because you want free stuff. It's great if you've found a cruise line you enjoy so much that you've stayed brand loyal — and even better if you snag a few discounts or freebies as a result. But what's less appealing is complaining about those discounts and freebies, or lording status over others.

Behavior matters — a lot

This is kind of a no-brainer, but I'm always shocked by how many people I see walking out of the restrooms without washing their hands, failing to use tongs at the buffet or reserving deck chairs or seats in the theater. I don't care if it's your first cruise or your 1,000th; social awareness is important to everyone's onboard enjoyment and well-being.