I'm a travel planner who's been on over 26 cruises. Here are 10 things I always pack and 2 I never bring.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Aerial view of cruise ship docked in blue waters next to island
I've spent years figuring out the best things to bring on a cruise, plus a few items worth leaving behind.

George Pachantouris/Getty Images

I spent 5 days in the Great Smoky Mountains with just a backpack. Here are 9 items I'm glad I packed and 1 thing I didn't need.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of a white sheet behind everything the author packed: toiletries, books, clothing and tech gear, and the author smiling in front of a mountain on a foggy day
A backpack was all Business Insider's reporter needed for a five-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

I've been on over 25 cruises. There are 3 things I never bother packing.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Jill Robbins smiling wiht family on cruise ship
After taking many cruises, I've streamlined my packing lists and strategies.

Jill Robbins

I took a 7-day cruise with carry-on luggage and a backpack. See everything on my packing list and how I organized it all.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author standing on the top deck of a cruise ship and clothes inside a cabin closet
Business Insider's reporter shares her packing list for a seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent 2 weeks backpacking in Europe. Next time, I'll bring a carry-on suitcase.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author gets ready to board a Trenitalia train in Rome.
The author gets ready to board a Trenitalia train in Rome.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took a weeklong cruise and didn't check a bag. Here are 10 items I'm glad I packed and 9 things I wish I'd had with me.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Inside the author's packed suitcase for a cruise
The author packed for a weeklong cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went to Scotland for the first time. There are 6 items I'm glad I packed and 4 I wish I had brought.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
Amanda sitting on a step, looking up at the camera, and smiling.
My rain boots were one of my favorite things I brought on my Scotland trip.

Amanda Shammas

I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains with a carry-on bag and a backpack. Here are 7 things I regret not packing and 9 items I'm glad I brought.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
the author hold Poo pouri on the left, her open duffel is on the right
The author traveled 60 hours on Amtrak trains. Here's what she did and didn't pack.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed for a weeklong cruise with just a carry-on and a backpack. Here are 10 items I'm glad I brought and 9 things I wish I had with me.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author packed for a weeklong cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.
The author packed for a weeklong cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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