I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should pack and 5 they shouldn't.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
woman in a sunbonnet relaxes on the top deck of a cruise ship during her vacation at sea
I (not pictured) have gotten very good at packing for cruises after working on many of them.

Jeff R Clow/Getty Images

A trip to Colombia in my 20s turned into 8 years freelancing in South America. Here's what I'd do differently.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
A woman posing next to a tree in South America.
A trip to Colombia inspired Sinead Mulhern to go freelance.

Jake VDVF

I gave up my corporate job to travel full-time and live in other people's homes for free

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Woman in sunglasses holding coffee, smiling on trail
After years of 9-to-5 corporate life, I decided to travel full-time and use house-sitting and pet-sitting to help do it for as long as possible.

Alanna Parrish

I waited an hour in line for Tokyo's famous soufflé pancakes and have zero regrets

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Pancakes from Micasadeco & Cafe
I waited an hour in line for the soufflé pancakes at Micasadeco & Cafe in Tokyo, and it was worth it.

Courtesy of Micasadeco & Cafe

I chose a 20-hour train over a 2-hour flight to avoid airport chaos. See what the experience aboard was really like.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Split image of Amtrak train from the outside and author selfie.
Perks like comfortable seats and spacious bathrooms made my train trip enjoyable.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

United is revamping one of its most hated regional jets. It's adding first-class and bins that fit carry-ons: See inside the CRJ450.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Economy
United Airlines CRJ450.
United Airlines is revamping old regional planes with a refreshed premium-focused cabin with first class and closets.

United Airlines

The most famous book set in every state

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A woman reads a book in a bookstore.
Reading is the cheapest way to travel the globe.

polinaloves/Shutterstock

I flew 15 hours in Air China's business class with my toddler. The upgrade was worth every penny.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Grace and her toddler pose in their business-class seats on a flight.
I flew in Air China's business class with my toddler.

Grace Cong Sui

After weeks of huge lines, TSA waits at America's busiest airport have plummeted from 4 hours to 5 minutes

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
An Atlanta Police Department Officer looks on as travelers wait in long lines at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on March 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia
Lines at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport last Wednesday. Wait times dropped to just a few minutes early Tuesday.

Megan Varner/Getty Images

JetBlue hikes fees for checked bags, citing 'rising operating costs'

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A JetBlue Airbus A321 lands at Los Angeles International Airport on March 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
JetBlue raises baggage fees by at least $4 amid "rising operating costs."

Kevin Carter/Getty Images

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