Family Holiday

[LegalNim]

I am the youngest of four siblings who are all in our 20s and 30s and all in long-term relationships. We have all lived abroad at different times. One brother lives in Australia, one brother lives in NZ, my sister lives in London (but has lived in the US) and I am also currently back living in England. I am the only one with a child.
Growing up we would go to the same place in the south of France as a family and my mum thought it would be nice for all of us to go there on holiday this summer (June 2020) - we haven't all been together in over ten years. This was agreed upon over a year in advance (in April 2019). My mum booked accommodation and paid the deposit after checking that everyone could make it and was happy with the dates etc. In the last few weeks both of my brothers have said that they can't afford the flights for themselves or their partners and so won't be attending. My mum has paid £700 for the deposit on the accommodation and still wants to go ahead with the holiday. This is beyond annoying for SO many reasons.

1. My husband and I are now responsible for 1/3 of the costs when we should've only been responsible for 1/5 of the costs.
2. If the whole family aren't going then it negates the entire purpose of the holiday. For the same amount of money being paid, we could've gone somewhere new or exotic etc. Having just had a baby, we aren't exactly flushed and simply wouldn't be spending money on this holiday if it weren't for the fact that all of us would've been together for the first time (and it's really important to my mum who is in ill-health).
3. My brothers and their partners should have known before the deposit was put down whether or not they could afford it. Their financial situations haven't changed. One brother and his girlfriend recently went to Paris - the other brother and his girlfriend also travel a lot.
4. My mum desperately wanted to see all of us together again and so, after having that expectation, the holiday will always be a disappointment and so won't actually be enjoyable at all.

Am I being unreasonable to think that the holiday should be cancelled and my two brothers (and their partners) should be covering the cost of the deposit (seeing as they've pulled out)?

Am I right in understanding that if it's cancelled, all that would be lost is the £700 deposit? If so, it gets you out of paying the rest and is the logical conclusion. Your Mum is obviously still wanting to do it and was probably really excited about it and that's a real shame. You don't want to risk going ahead with it because you want to "do the right thing" and end up paying for more than you can afford to. Nobody would end up having a good time on the holiday then!

It's sad for your mum but I'd encourage her to cancel. It's not fair on you having to spend so much extra because the others have pulled out.

Your mum should cancel and your brothers need to pay the lost deposit between them. No way would I be paying more than I’ve agreed for a holiday because others have pulled out.

I’d be saying that I agreed to go on the basis of paying a fifth share of the cost and I can not afford one third. Sounds best to cancel if the brothers can’t attend.

How selfish of your brothers. I bet your mum is really disappointed.

That’s really off of your brothers!

Do you get on with your sister?
Can you (or both of you) get the brothers to cover the deposit?

If so, I speak to your sister and propose that you tell you mum you’d love to holiday with her, but that place is too expensive for as a 1/3 share - and how round she feel about a UK trip with you?

Presumably even if you and your sister and mum split the £700 3 ways (or all of you 5 ways?) it would be cheaper to do a different trip?