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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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.

OP posts:

FunkyPeacock · 28/04/2016 16:00

Unless there is a genuine reason (fear of water for example) that you really don't want to go along with their suggested plan then I'm afraid IMO it would be rude and ungrateful for try to change the plan.

If your worried about the minimal provision of food then just have a sandwich before you leave the house!

It sounds like a lovely 'treat' to me!

jumpjumpformylove · 28/04/2016 16:07

You sound lovely, and considerate and I can understand why you think it might be a bad idea; but going with nice company can turn anything mediocre into good.

Lots of people seem to have mis-read the situation. You're asking this with all the best intentions, and have explained this over and over.

If you've never done any of the Thames cruises before you might even really enjoy it

Take them for dinner in Soho and have a great night!

Falling270 · 28/04/2016 16:18

I don't mean to be judgmental and sorry if I sound like that but the things you are worrying about are so incredibly minor I think of you haven't got help for your anxiety already then you need to. I hope you enjoy the cruise.

Cornishclio · 28/04/2016 16:42

I haven't done the sundowner cruise but I think I would go with it. My OH and I did the Thames river boat tour from Greenwich to Westminster which was brilliant but during the day and a fraction of the price. If you are meeting them in the evening then I guess the Sundowner is a good option.

rubberducker · 28/04/2016 16:50

Sounds like you've got it sorted. I'd suggest to them that it might be nice to meet for dinner before the cruise, or to eat afterwards but I'd be surprised if they're expecting a full meal included in the cruise. Surely most people realise that canopes are just a few snacky bits and not a meal?

BillSykesDog · 28/04/2016 17:58

Sausilito, glad you've got it sorted. I am a Londoner too, although living elsewhere now. I think you need to bear in mind that part of the reason there is a lot of 'overpriced tourist crap' is that a lot of tourists like that sort of thing.

As a Londoner you might think a great day out is a stroll through Borough Market or a Picnic on Primrose Hill or the latest pop up restaurant or whatever it is people in London are into at the moment.

But for tourists that's not really what they want. They want to see the stereotypical tourist London. They want to see the changing of the guard, or go to Madame Tussaud's or go on a boat down the Thames. I'm glad you're going and have decided otherwise, it would have been really high handed to be 'I'm a Londoner and this is not how you see London' about it.

DoreenLethal · 28/04/2016 18:28

That may be what tourists want; but I'd say hold off booking anything until you know what the weather is going to be like. Nothing as dull on a wet windy day as a boat ride when you can't see anything as the rain hammers down.

A11TheSmallTh1ngs · 28/04/2016 20:12

Sausilito

I read the thread. You were trying to persuade them to get dinner instead. That's an alternative.

Again, you've spent a ton of time making yourself feel comfortable about it. More than the two hours the event actually is.

MabelFurball · 28/04/2016 20:36

YANBU - I would hate being stuck on a boat for 2 hours - not my idea of fun at all.

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