25-year-old cancels on family cruise after parents favor golden child yet again and pay for his ticket, she makes them believe she’s still going until the last minute: “Have a nice trip with your favorite child”

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Apr 28, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Hey there women and men of the internet. No one likes to feel like a second class citizen in their own home. Growing up with unfair parents can be rough, although it's a pretty standard and ubiquitous feeling. At least you know you're not alone amongst the stereotypes about the strictness for the eldest, the sense of pressure and discipline bestowed on them, or being the neglected middle child, neither here nor there. And who can forget the forever coveted position of being the youngest, whose wish is everyone's command, even when your older siblings don't want to. Eternally the baby. But despite classic stereotypes about how we're treated based on where we're  enumerated amongst our siblings, it isn't always true, just like any siblings. 

In the story below, the narrator is a woman who's the baby of the family, with an older brother and no other siblings. Although she's the youngest, she hasn't been treated as well as him. She knows he's the favorite and the golden child, and though she's strived to be a good daughter, it never seems good enough for her parents, despite how her older brother behaves. Read the full story below for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01

    AITA For canceling on our family cruise?

    "James gets everything handed to him"
    via alphaspirit.it / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So, my parents wanted to do a cruise for the holidays. They invited me (25f), my boyfriend (27M), my brother (28M), and his girlfriend (26F).
    via u/throwra-vacay

  • It must be heartbreaking to be this woman and feel so undervalued with the rest of her family. In situations like these, I always figure that the person must choose a partner quickly to have someone in their life to rely on. They can even be apart of their partners families in exchange for forsaking their own. 

  • 03
    My brother (let's call him "James") has always been the golden child. Some backstory:
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 04
    Back in high school, when James was discovered to be selling, he was just "going through a phase". Meanwhile, when I got caught smoking, my parents threatened to kick me out.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 05
    James lost his scholarship and dropped out of college 3 different times, but he's still perfect! I graduated a semester late and I didn't try hard enough.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 06
    James still lives in the state where he attending college, and I live in my home state near my parents. He doesn't work, he's not currently in school. My parents buy him flights all the time to come visit, but don't buy me a flight to go see him or go anywhere else.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 07
    My parents send him money for rent and life necessities. He bought a $2,000 dog recently with that money.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 08
    When I got my first big job at age 22, my parents immediately kicked me off their insurance since I had the option of benefits. James was on their insurance until he turned 26.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 09
    Last year, I got laid off and moved back in with my parents to save money. When I got my new job, my parents told me I needed to pay $10,000 in "back rent" which was never discussed previously. (I did finish paying it off and recently moved in with my boyfriend!)
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 10
    This has been a pattern my WHOLE life. James gets everything handed to him and I have to work my a off. So, now to the cruise.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 11
    My parents said they wanted to do this, and bought tickets for themselves, James, and his girlfriend. They told me to get my own ticket since I have a well- paying job. I was super upset, and told them it wasn't fair that I was
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10498884352
    via Julia Volk from Pexels / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    the only one who had to buy their own ticket. (My boyfriend couldn't come due to holiday plans with his own family).
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 14
    My parents said I was acting spoiled and that "green wasn't a good look on me". I am so tired of hearing that phrase at this point. They said it's not like I had to get a nice room since we'd be outside it the majority of the time anyway- which is true, but then why get James a nice room?
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 15
    I decided I had enough and I wasn't going. But here's where I may be the a hole. I let them continue thinking I was for months. Then, on the night before they left they said to get to their house by 8 am so we could start the drive to the port.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 16
    At 8:30 that day, they start messaging me asking where I am. I texted them "since you didn't want to put the effort in to have me join you, I will be attending my boyfriend's Thanksgiving instead. Have a nice trip with your favorite child." Then I muted the chat.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 17
    I talked to some friends about this, and some said it was petty of me to cancel with no warning, and others said I should've led it up and gone since I would've had fun when I got there.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 18
    They've been on the cruise for a couple days now, and I'm starting to regret how I handled things. Yeah, I probably would've had fun, and it's not like I couldn't afford the ticket. I also could've handled the delivery better. But at the same time, I'm so sick of them treating me like this.
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 19
    So, AITA for cancelling on our family vacation?
    via u/throwra-vacay
  • 20
    Kazu 1008 Wait, did I read it correctly that they charged you $10k back rent, which had NEVER been discussed prior, and you PAID it?! NTA, but I would have gone low contact with them and definitely not even
    via u/Kazu 1008
  • 21
    contemplated going on a trip with them. Save that for people that enjoy you OP.
    via u/Kazu 1008
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 10498883840
    via BraunS from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 23
    ameinafan they bought tickets for james AND his girlfriend? They even like his girlfriend more than you?
    via u/ameinafan
  • 24
    Hmmmm...NTA...if you're to be the black sheep anyway, give them a proper reason.
    via u/ameinafan
  • 25
    kukonimz NTA. Your parents are, ` and they should be grateful you still talk to them, though I don't really understand why you do.
    via u/kukonimz
  • 26
    unotruejen Not petty but I suggest in the future just have AMAZING plans whenever they ask about doing anything. Don't continue to subject yourself to people who put you down and don't celebrate your accomplishments. Living well
    via u/unotruejen
  • 27
    is the very best revenge there is, your brother is a loser who was crippled by your parents. Feel sorry for him, you're going to have a much better life. NtA
    via u/unotruejen
  • 28
    heyclau It was definitely petty, but honestly, why would you want to spend more time with family that treats you like that? I understand them paying things to your brother since he can't afford and it's
    via u/heyclau
  • 29
    their money, but to imply that you're jealous when they're clearly favoring your brother all that time?!
    via u/heyclau
  • 30
    They still went to the cruise, so I don't think it was a big deal. I'd go low to no contact with them, since they seem to be indifferent to your presence, and it would save you a lot of trouble too.
    via u/heyclau

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