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AIBU?

AIBU re 'treat' from DP's relatives

59 replies

Sausalito · 28/04/2016 14:07

DP's auntie and uncle who live abroad, are coming to London next week. They want to treat us as well as see us for a few hours and have asked us to book a Sundowner Cruise on the Thames (they want us to Book for tickets and they will send us the money ). It costs £29 per person and is basically a two hour cruise from 18.30 on the Thames with a glass of sparkling wine and some canapés. It's not a fancy boat just one of the regular ones they use for tourist Thames trips.

There aren't many reviews online of this cruise but those that I have found are pretty mediocre. It appears you get about three canapés for your money, there is music on board which some reviews have complained about and overall it doesn't seem worth the money. I'm a bit worried about the lack of food provided as I need to eat fairly regularly and this would right around dinnertime. It's just not something that DP and I would ever pay this kind of money for. I'm also not keen on those evening time boat trips - difficult to explain why but the thought of the trip makes me a bit anxious and it's just not my kind of thing.

I probably sound very ungrateful but we would be happy to just meeting for a coffee, meal or drink somewhere nice. The ball is in our court really as they have asked us to sort out the tickets . I feel like the right thing to do is to just go ahead and book as that's what they want, but I really don't want to go on this trip it sounds awful!

Genuinely asking if I'm being unreasonable. I think part of it is that I hate feeling like I'm being made to do something that I don't want to do. I feel the only way out would be to find something really nice to do in central London early evening time for the same price or cheaper ( as they are insisting that they will give us the money) and suggest that instead. But I can't think of anything! Any ideas? Heights are out, so no London Eye.

Or AIBU, should I just go along with their plans? They are lovely BTW.

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NannawifeofBaldr · 28/04/2016 14:10

I'd go along with their plans.

Cakescakescakes · 28/04/2016 14:12

Perhaps they really want to do it? So they think it's a treat as it would be a treat for them? The food isn't a problem. Can't you just have a snack before you go?

Sausalito · 28/04/2016 14:13

Thanks Nanna. Apologies for bad punctuation and typos by the way, I posted in a rush.

I'd be interested if any MNers have been on this cruise.

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AnchorDownDeepBreath · 28/04/2016 14:13

If they're coming from abroad, I'd let them choose what they want to do. Have a big snack before you go if you're worried about hunger making you poorly. It might not be your type of thing, but you can go eat out in central London at another time. It might be mediocre but good company drastically improves most events, and it might be really good!

Pinkheart5915 · 28/04/2016 14:13

It's sounds nice to me
I'd go along with there plans it's one night out of there year. It's lovely of them to want to treat you

sooperdooper · 28/04/2016 14:15

Can't you eat beforehand? I think it's their treat and obviously something they want to do as part of their trip so you should do it

Unless you can find another cruise that has better reviews that you could do instead?

Sausalito · 28/04/2016 14:16

You're probably right, Cakes, although of course they could do this trip without us and see us another time. It just seems a huge waste of their money. They won't have checked the reviews. They are pensioners and the kind of people to check their email twice a month.

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BillSykesDog · 28/04/2016 14:16

Go along with their plans. It's a couple of hours and you're not paying. Pretend you've enjoyed it even if you haven't. Anything else would be really rude and ungracious.

To be honest, I think when someone invites you on a trip they are paying for, to look up reviews and then turn your nose up is ungrateful and very bad mannered.

WordGetsAround · 28/04/2016 14:17

Why wouldn't you? Just go for it and have a nice time. It's great to do things you wouldn't always chose yourself.

AnyFucker · 28/04/2016 14:19

I would just go and make the best of it in this scenario

TiggerPiggerPoohBumWee · 28/04/2016 14:19

I think part of it is that I hate feeling like I'm being made to do something that I don't want to do

Pretty childish. Nobody is making you do anything, they've merely asked you. You can say no thanks, you can suggest something else, you can lie and tell them there are no tickets left, you can tell them you have a morbid fear of boats, or canapes.....the possibilities are endless.
OR you could book it and go and sulk and complain that people are making you do things you don't want to do....your choice!

BoogieTime · 28/04/2016 14:19

I did that cruise and had a ball! It's really good fun, the canapés were great, the cocktails were two for one and the scenery is of course wonderful. And I say that as a Londoner! Just do it

Sausalito · 28/04/2016 14:20

Ok, looks so far like IABU Maybe I just need to get my head around it and chill out and not worry too much!

To complicate things, we have already had to tell them that we couldn't go along with their previous plan which involved us meeting them at 3pm at their hotel on a mid week working day! For some reason they thought we would just pop out to meet them when we should be at work!

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MattDillonsPants · 28/04/2016 14:20

It's the sort of thing pensioners love. Go. Make lots of noises about how marvellous it all is and how you're enjoying it and enthuse about it later.

That's the kind thing to do.

BoogieTime · 28/04/2016 14:21

I also found discount codes online which got it down to £22 each, so have a Google and see what you find! And I went with some pensioners too who also loved it.

Jengnr · 28/04/2016 14:21

Even if it's shit it's two hours. I think it sounds quite nice but then I like boats and I like booze :)

Will having your tea early sort out the food issue? Or willsome cheese on toast or something about 5pm keep you going then have tea afterwards?

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 28/04/2016 14:21

Actually I'd find something else around the same price range and suggest it to them but make it clear that we'll book the tickets if that's what they really want. It might be that the cruise is just something a bit different and they suggested it.

mumeeee · 28/04/2016 14:22

I would go along with their plans. I know you say they won't have checked the reviews but they might have and just decided they really to do it.
It sounds nice to me.

acasualobserver · 28/04/2016 14:25

Biscuits in handbag.

YouSay · 28/04/2016 14:26

Your latest post sounds like you really don't want to meet them at all. Be gracious and go along with their plans.

whois · 28/04/2016 14:26

Even if it's not your cup of tea can't you just go, enjoy it for what it is and enjoy the time with the family? Take a sarnie with you if you're worried about food.

Costacoffeeplease · 28/04/2016 14:26

This is what they want to do, so unless there's any real reason not to go along with it, then do. You do sound a bit precious

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TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 28/04/2016 14:26

could they be sidetracked into a nice dinner somewhere...it's not that hard to find nice pretheatre menus or lovely lunches for £29 per head and then get them a Red River Rover ticket other ridiculously named options are available and two swanky sandwiches and mini proseccos from M&S for them to eat on the boat the next day.

they get to treat you to a meal out and catch up and you can gift them a day on the river

whois · 28/04/2016 14:28

To complicate things, we have already had to tell them that we couldn't go along with their previous plan which involved us meeting them at 3pm at their hotel on a mid week working day! For some reason they thought we would just pop out to meet them when we should be at work!

Well they aren't at work any more are they :-) forgotten what it's like. Or maybe think you might swing a few hours OOO for them.

Sausalito · 28/04/2016 14:30

Bill, it wasn't a bad manners thing re me looking up reviews. I've lived in Londonmy whole life and I know there are loads of overpriced tourist things that are a bit rubbish. It's more around the embarrassment if they've paid lots of money and it is crap. We've been telling them they should visit London for ages, and as its my home city that I'm proud of, I want them to the enjoy it, and I'd be mortified if the cruise was rubbish. Besides when I googled the cruise, a bad review popped up on the page!

Tigger, I don't know where you got the idea that I'd be sulking. I've said in my first post that I am genuinely asking if IBU, a.nd I would never sulk when out with lovely people who we are very very happy to see.

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