Insider Traveler

This seems to be the wave of the future. I support redirecting the 4000+ passenger mega ships away from the world's classic cities.

1.7 million cruise passengers stopped over in Barcelona last year. The city's mayor just said he wants that number to reach zero.

The tax on stopover cruise visitors is doubling from €4 to €8 per person, and he's fast-tracking it to take effect this year instead of the four-year timeline the council originally agreed to. He's also asked the regional government to remove the €8 cap entirely so Barcelona can raise it further. The city is cutting cruise terminals from seven to five by 2030, and tourist apartments are being eliminated by 2028.

Here's the key distinction if you have a cruise booked that stops in Barcelona: this targets ships that dock for a few hours and leave. Cruises that start or end in Barcelona are not affected. The mayor specifically said home-port cruises are the model the city wants to keep.

If Barcelona is a port call on your itinerary, check with your cruise line on whether that stop is changing. If your cruise departs from Barcelona, you're fine.
📰 Sources: Fox News

Camera detectors are small and unexpensive.

How I found 11 hidden cameras in one Airbnb (and how to sweep your next room) I scrolled past the cable channels on the TV remote and saw live feeds of every room of the place I was staying in. The host’s excuse? “I forgot.” Here’s how to sweep your next rental in two minutes.

My clients having a blast on their Viking Nile Cruise!!