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Massive holiday cock up !

343 replies

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:10

We’re on a ferry on our way to a small Greek Island and I was checking the accommodation arrangements. I have just noticed I booked from 23-30 October not September 😮. The booking is for a week and not refundable. This is so unlike me but what a bloody idiot !

OP posts:
cheapskatemum · 23/09/2026 11:11

I hope you find somewhere! Which island? Maybe someone on here can help.

sesquipedalian · 23/09/2026 11:11

I hope there will be some accommodation available when you get there! Good luck, OP - the Greeks are normally very hospitable.

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:13

Paxos. The biggest concern is losing the money we paid but they are quite within their rights. Arrrgghhh 🤣

OP posts:
Nottulip · 23/09/2026 11:13

Get off Mumsnet and start making alternative plans surely! Priorities!

cheapskatemum · 23/09/2026 11:17

Sorry, I can’t help with Paxos.

MyMumsJenjenn · 23/09/2026 11:18

Bit disappointed - I misunderstood the title.😆

Nofeckingway · 23/09/2026 11:20

Hope you find something. It's off season so should have some availability. You will just have to write off the booking as it's non refundable. Although so far in advance maybe you can appeal to the company. Hope it wasn't too much.

peramo · 23/09/2026 11:20

The original accommodation might have a solution, they have to be told anyway. You'd never know, it's coming to the end of the season, and the accommodation might just be available now. Did you contact them yet?

purplecorkheart · 23/09/2026 11:22

Go to the place you booked and see if they have a vacant room. They maybe willing to swap the dates. Worth a try.

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:23

MyMumsJenjenn · 23/09/2026 11:18

Bit disappointed - I misunderstood the title.😆

🤣

OP posts:
PumpkinSpicedFattie · 23/09/2026 11:23

Nooooo this is my biggest nightmare

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:26

peramo · 23/09/2026 11:20

The original accommodation might have a solution, they have to be told anyway. You'd never know, it's coming to the end of the season, and the accommodation might just be available now. Did you contact them yet?

A call from this ferry is impossible but I’ve managed to get a message through. I can see from booking.com they have no availability but I will go there as soon as we arrive and throw myself at their mercy. DH sitting here as cool as a cucumber. My sleeping on Greek beaches days are many, many years behind me. Grin

OP posts:
Holidaytips · 23/09/2026 11:26

Ahh so easily done! I did similar when booking our summer holiday this year - we were staying overnight on our way to the campsite and I got the return dates confused. Luckily I noticed pretty soon after and had free cancellation so could be easily rectified but I did have a heartstopping moment when I realised.

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:28

Nofeckingway · 23/09/2026 11:20

Hope you find something. It's off season so should have some availability. You will just have to write off the booking as it's non refundable. Although so far in advance maybe you can appeal to the company. Hope it wasn't too much.

£760 !

OP posts:
Nottulip · 23/09/2026 11:29

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:26

A call from this ferry is impossible but I’ve managed to get a message through. I can see from booking.com they have no availability but I will go there as soon as we arrive and throw myself at their mercy. DH sitting here as cool as a cucumber. My sleeping on Greek beaches days are many, many years behind me. Grin

So start looking for alternatives with availability in the area in case this doesn’t pan out!!

Nottulip · 23/09/2026 11:29

Why is a call impossible? You have signal clearly!

DoloresDelEriba · 23/09/2026 11:29

Oh God. That’s awful. I feel your pain. But end of season (ish) you will definitely find somewhere. I’m just back from Poros and there was plenty about. Sorry for you, but it will be ok. 🧿 🇬🇷 💙

try WhatsApp they are all mad for it!

madaboutpurple · 23/09/2026 11:30

I hope the hotel have been able to sort things out for you.

cinquanta · 23/09/2026 11:31

Not the wrong dates but I remembered I hadn’t booked accommodation two days before we were due to fly. I had had a conversation with the owner about dates late last year but forgot to follow through with an actual booking.

Luckily the owner was very helpful and sorted us out at the last minute but it did mean staying in two different places.

It was one of those holidays which was one drama after another. The only thing that went right was the hire car.

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:33

Nottulip · 23/09/2026 11:29

Why is a call impossible? You have signal clearly!

Because it is intermittent and the noise on this small ferry is unbelievably loud. Someone just called me but we could barely hear each other. I said I would go there when we get off the ferry.

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:34

cinquanta · 23/09/2026 11:31

Not the wrong dates but I remembered I hadn’t booked accommodation two days before we were due to fly. I had had a conversation with the owner about dates late last year but forgot to follow through with an actual booking.

Luckily the owner was very helpful and sorted us out at the last minute but it did mean staying in two different places.

It was one of those holidays which was one drama after another. The only thing that went right was the hire car.

Arghh what a nightmare. Not just me then

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 23/09/2026 11:36

Nottulip · 23/09/2026 11:29

So start looking for alternatives with availability in the area in case this doesn’t pan out!!

I can see some other properties on booking.com but I’m going to see if they have partial availability or more importantly a refund. Hoping I can appeal to their better nature.

OP posts:
Somewhereovertherainbowwewillmeetagain · 23/09/2026 11:37

Hope you get something sorted op.

Also just to say that Booking.com is only a advertising site. The hotel might have blocked availability on that site but still have availability on other sites/their own website etc.

Good luck

BeardySchnauzer · 23/09/2026 11:38

Good luck! The hotel might be able to find alternative accommodation even if they are full

TheKestralNextDoor · 23/09/2026 11:39

Oh no OP - hard lesson learned about double checking everything - hope you get sorted and enjoy your break.

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