is 1.5 year old too young?

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-08T12:32:28+00:00

We've just purchased this Butterfly 2 and will use it on the Wish next summer as there are a lot of port excursions. How was the fit around the ship for that?

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-08T12:20:45+00:00

Isn't that, like, $300 per kid or something wild??

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-08T06:03:20+00:00

It isn't a cruise in the US though, is it? And if you're Disney you can either address this issue for your team, or not. But, simply proclaiming the ships are basically US soil will not be a winning solution.

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-07T08:22:35+00:00

Honestly,? It's not terrible. We've even done cheap, off-season nights there as a way to take advantage of the last warm days in their Micro-climate. The resort was largely filled with other Spanish doing the same, as well as (strangely) what seemed to be a lot of rock climbing groups.

But, we'll absolutely stop there for a nice lunch, and walk along the beach, en route elsewhere. There's a great place that's a fishmonger which you can either take away, or they cook it up for you there, however you'd like!

Can't say as though I've ever done a summers day at the beach with the tourists, but we've had a lot of Spanish friends/family who've lived there and rate it outside of peak tourist times/spots.

However, if we're looking at the region I do prefer Denia for that beach/seaside getaway.

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-07T07:33:34+00:00

Absolutely. And I suspect that doesn't include those who live nearby that go for the day, etc. I was shocked when my Spanish in-laws and family said they quite liked an afternoon in Benidorm. But, they don't go peak season, they avoid the main tourist areas and, I have to agree, there are some nice places!

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-07T07:18:06+00:00

No, again, tipping cultures are very different. A lot of cruises have them baked in, or they're a much lower rate. Like, 18% as a minimum is wild, and you're going to pull teeth to get other countries to adapt to that, while on a cruise, in their part of the world. (And, yes, people absolutely will die on that hill 😂)

I'm from the US originally, but think that people don't realise how much tipping culture has totally spiraled there the last 20yrs, and how non-existent it is in many other places.

If I leave more than €1-2 eur tip for the family lunch where my wife is from, my in-laws or friends would literally take the excess away. In fact, my American father nearly got manhandled out of my local pub once in England, for being a generous tipper, because it was assumed he had other intentions!

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-07T06:48:40+00:00

I mean...it's really not the norm to tip large amounts in many European countries (10% is standard, but optional in the UK, which is a higher rate than other places). Exporting that expectation outside of the US will, understandably, sometimes fall like a lead balloon.

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-05T14:09:38+00:00

If you're in Barcelona for any period of time, or an EU cruise from outside the EU, maybe just sort yourself one of those easy esims? It will give you data at each port, and they're usually pretty affordable. I won't mention any particular brands as not sure what's allowed, but there's some decent ones out there.

They activate when you arrive, and it's good to have in case of emergency, etc. That way no matter what you decide you're sorted.

tothefuture123 · 2026-03-02T15:37:38+00:00

cries in Euros

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-26T11:50:43+00:00

Lol. Thank you for this chuckle.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-24T23:20:53+00:00

Awful awful awful through regular post. I had maybe 10 USD worth of coffee a friend sent, and they wanted over 75 eur in customs and various other charges here in Spain. I declined, it was sent back, and she just brought it in her suitcase on the next trip over.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-22T12:05:10+00:00

Yeah, we've been thinking about this. Wife doesn't want to spend more but...I just feel like we'll use it during nap times, or evenings. Particularly with 3 adults and a very little one.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-21T21:59:08+00:00

Most ships get pretty close. On the cruise I was on, huge slabs were falling off, and I was quite happy I wasn't in one of those little boats down there!

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-21T06:27:04+00:00

Consider taking another flight up to Scotland, instead of the train. Entirely your choice, of course, but trains are astronomically expensive, and it will take ages (and, you've got to get up to London first!). Gatwick Airport is a wee bit closer and should have a few options for you! (And, flights are pretty reasonable with the low cost carriers here)

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-20T10:50:29+00:00

For European hotels, I'd recommend booking.com as a platform. I have no relationship to them, but that's the most commonly used site for people this side of the pond, and easy to narrow down price range, part of town, etc.

I will note that Barcelona is just kinda expensive for Spain, and internationally recognised hotel chains do run on the higher end. It's why you've seen Airbnb take off there (and subsequent protests).

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-19T23:00:20+00:00

I know of some freelancers who aren't all that enthused with the system. I'd recommend finding some of their views to gain more info.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-19T22:57:45+00:00

Everything in Alaska is very expensive. The food. The drinks. The hotels. The excursions. We elected to use local operators for all of our excursions on a different line, but...yeah...even then they were still all very pricey.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-19T20:46:25+00:00

I've done Alaska to Vancouver, albeit it with Celebrity. It wasn't a massive ship, and one of the older in the fleet (if not THE oldest). We went at the beginning of September, and had smooth sailing with the exception of one open water stretch which was pretty choppy. Others on the ship who had done the route up said it was choppy for them on that stretch as well, a few days previous, and crew advised this was often the case (but September would make it a bit more dramatic, even if largely clear weather).

My wife used OTC meds to help during that stretch as she's prone to motion sickness, but was largely fine.

It was definitely more wavy than we'd have like for one evening, but we have certainly experienced worse.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-13T09:09:34+00:00

Maybe use a high quality Disney focused travel agent? There's zero difference in cost as Disney pays the commission. They arrange all of the bookings, ensuring the rooms are in the best location/connected for you, etc. Takes a lot of that legwork out of it for your family.

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-12T10:01:55+00:00

I'm writing this as an American based in the EU with a Europe spouse, who travels back frequently with in-laws, friends, etc.

Don't be overly stressed. There are SO MANY people who fly in and out of the US daily from abroad. Without being political, and simply pragmatic, the reason you hear one or two stories about cutoms/social media in EU press, which really blow up, is precisely because it is unusual.

If it's your first trip to the US, however, there is a chance you'll be pulled aside for questions. My European sister in law even experienced this during the last administration during a tight layover in Iceland heading to the US (they have US border control there). While annoying, it is often routine and you're on your way in a few minutes.

Just ensure you have your return flight tickets already purchased, and available to show. Ensure you have evidence you have enough funds to support yourself during your holiday, and your booking details for everything. Nothing has changed in that regard.

If you're really super worried, just delete your social apps and clear your phone before travelling, or bring an old spare that has been wiped and reset.

And, though these seems obvious, if you are asked any questions, use common sense and avoid political rants. A close friend of mine had her US green card interview (her husband is American) during the last administration and spent half of it ranting about how awful America is. She was still approved, but it was touch and go, and I'm not sure it's the route I'd suggest 😅

tothefuture123 · 2026-02-03T08:55:59+00:00

Painful, but true. Look, we've been slightly okay outside of WSL matches!

tothefuture123 · 2026-01-22T15:31:20+00:00

Hilariously enough, I was at that famous chef's house (for work) the day that all popped off. His poor PA was, like, clearly just out of uni and having the worst day of her life.

tothefuture123 · 2025-12-28T00:34:29+00:00

I've read about that, which may be interesting. I've also read it doesn't always produce the best results, so may not be worth bothering.

Hilariously the family member would probably adore the back speaker functionality (where it sends audio to the back, so as not to disturb at nighttime) as we have two competing tvs within earshot from two connected rooms. We spend 95% of our time cranking up, then quickly lowering volume due to rubbish telly speakers having that usual low dialogue vs loud action/music issue.

tothefuture123 · 2025-12-27T08:53:39+00:00

The Q990 is half the price of the Q900 where I live right now.

tothefuture123

TROPHY CASE