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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

HAVEN cancelled children’s holiday

154 replies

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 10:44

My lovely husband died suddenly leaving me widowed with two young children, understandably this has been an awful time for me and my family.

Before he died he had booked a half term holiday with Haven which was fully paid for. As my husband was the lead guest, I called Haven to amend the booking and their representative told me I was not able to do this and the holiday would have to be cancelled, despite questioning this she was absolutely adamant that the holiday could not go ahead. I was shocked that they thought cancelling my children’s holiday after the death of their Daddy was in any way acceptable, to me it was completely heartless.

After coming off the call I sought advice and called them back a couple of hours later, this time Haven admitted that they could easily amend the booking on seeing the death certificate. I was then informed that the holiday had already been cancelled, I assume by the first representative I spoke to, despite not having gone through any security checks or sending the documentation yet. They then told me that our accommodation had already been resold and therefore they could not reinstate it.

They’ve now spent the past couple of days faffing around and temporarily rebooking us on to a downgraded caravan whilst they try and resolve their error. This has caused me to feel very anxious and distressed so I’ve decided to no longer go and I am looking at booking another holiday far, far away from Haven.

So, am I unreasonable for expecting better from a company aimed at families? And what type of resolution would you be happy with?

Thank-you x

OP posts:
RM2013 · 04/05/2024 18:27

Very sorry for your loss OP. Absolutely shocking customer service. I’d be wanting minimum of a full refund and not having to wait a month for them to process. They’re a multi million company it can’t be that hard to send an immediate refund. It’s the least they can do.
I certainly would never book a holiday with them again

RM2013 · 04/05/2024 18:28

Just seen your update after I posted. Very glad it has been resolved

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 18:54

It was tempting to hold out for an all inclusive trip to Bora Bora, lounging by an exotic beach having my feet massaged by Tom Hardy while Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice version - obviously) hand fed me Pringles, but alas, a few nights in a tin can by the North Sea with a gaggle of toddlers will have to do! My husband spent weeks convincing me to stay in a caravan, telling me how much fun it would be…then he’s bloody well gone and died, he wasn’t right very often so I’m not overly optimistic! Who knows, I might be converted and become a seasoned caravaner.

Absolutely nothing against caravans by the way, just prefer a bit more space, mainly to escape the chaos of my own children 😆

OP posts:
MsFaversham · 04/05/2024 19:09

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 11:03

I’m in two minds, radio might be a good call as I don’t want my ‘sad face’ plastered all over the media! I just want Haven to realise they can’t treat people this way

I’d go on Twitter (X) and call them out on it.

NotJohnMajor · 04/05/2024 19:16

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 18:54

It was tempting to hold out for an all inclusive trip to Bora Bora, lounging by an exotic beach having my feet massaged by Tom Hardy while Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice version - obviously) hand fed me Pringles, but alas, a few nights in a tin can by the North Sea with a gaggle of toddlers will have to do! My husband spent weeks convincing me to stay in a caravan, telling me how much fun it would be…then he’s bloody well gone and died, he wasn’t right very often so I’m not overly optimistic! Who knows, I might be converted and become a seasoned caravaner.

Absolutely nothing against caravans by the way, just prefer a bit more space, mainly to escape the chaos of my own children 😆

I absolutely love a static caravan - we stay in one every year down in Cornwall. They're so cosy; even if it's raining, hearing the rain on the roof and being warm and dry inside is lovely. Unlike staying in a self-catering cottage, a caravan makes you feel like you are 'camping' but without all the discomfort of a tent. Plus, because they're small, they are easy to keep tidy. We could afford a hotel - there are only two of us - but we just prefer the caravan!

TomJonesHuhhh · 04/05/2024 19:19

[email protected]

Get these guys onto it pronto Shamrock

They do not ask for sad faces but seem to get the job done
I'd also send this thread to Haven PR as they might resolve on here/quicker if they see the bad rep...I'd be putting them on my Shit List and won't be the only one.

thesunday · 04/05/2024 19:26

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's shocking that the first representative didn't change the booking and I'm sure it was only because this person must have been new and inexperienced (and tone deaf). I'd expect some kind of upgrade or extra for the upset they've caused even if it is for another time as they may actually now be full on that date. I'd write a note to their management to be fair it's unacceptable for any business to do but especially for a family park.

3luckystars · 04/05/2024 19:28

That’s really awful customer service altogether.

Tereseta · 04/05/2024 19:33

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 18:54

It was tempting to hold out for an all inclusive trip to Bora Bora, lounging by an exotic beach having my feet massaged by Tom Hardy while Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice version - obviously) hand fed me Pringles, but alas, a few nights in a tin can by the North Sea with a gaggle of toddlers will have to do! My husband spent weeks convincing me to stay in a caravan, telling me how much fun it would be…then he’s bloody well gone and died, he wasn’t right very often so I’m not overly optimistic! Who knows, I might be converted and become a seasoned caravaner.

Absolutely nothing against caravans by the way, just prefer a bit more space, mainly to escape the chaos of my own children 😆

I hope you and your sister have a great time with the kids, lovely memory to have that it was booked by your dh...even if it turns out to be a disaster! So sorry for your loss xx

For what it's worth caravan hols are great with toddlers, ours loved all the little cupboards! Haven have the worst customer service when it goes wrong- we had our lodge cancelled as they had double booked. They refused to budge for ages but eventually gave us a gold caravan and 200 in vouchers, your experience if far worse than that. Glad someone dealt with it at last.

Needanewname42 · 04/05/2024 19:45

Sorry for your loss.
Glad you have it sorted.
It wouldn't surprise me, if it being on here is what has made the sort their shit out.

Hope you have a good holiday

JustToBeMe · 04/05/2024 19:51

Paul Flaum (@FlaumPaul) / X
Bournemouth Leisure CEO on Twitter/X or whatever it called now
I hope this can help

Strictlymad · 04/05/2024 19:53

So the booked that was taken by someone else has suddenly become available again- rather fishy!! Glad you have a holiday abs a refund but that first person you dealt with needs a dressing down, both for cancelling without death cert and dealing with you in such an uncaring manner!

Nazzywish · 04/05/2024 19:58

How far down their official complaints process have you gone OP? I'd set it all out in a strongly worded email to their comments teams, highlighting local news involvement and socials.

After you've done the mandatory wait time see if it's something one if the ombudsman services can help with but that's not fornow as they take months.

So sorry they're being so shitty in somewhat is an awful time gor those kids and you

BagelandEggs · 04/05/2024 20:04

Write to their CEO - they will be horrified by the bad publicity and will hopefully offer some compensation or upgrade too. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope you and your children are able to have a nice holiday together x

ChangeEmailAddress · 04/05/2024 20:07

If Haven have found this thread, I hope that you do everything possible to make this a great holiday for the OP and her children. Sports, activities, the biggest spangliest caravan with the best views and a great position on the park. Then she can come back and tell everyone what a wonderful company you are, and remind me again, how many million users does mumsnet have?

TillyBilly29 · 04/05/2024 20:42

So sorry for your loss OP and the haven thing sounds awful and glad they sorted it at last but I think the first person you spoke to was just incorrect/lying. I booked haven last year, where I was l lead guest and then I added guests on later to my account and somehow the system changed my husband to lead booker not me and so I changed it back online and that was fine, so I think the person saying the lead booker couldn't change was misinformed or lying to you.

grumpygrape · 04/05/2024 21:17

OP, I am so sorry you have had all this rubbish to go through. As you intimated, it was very thoughtless of your husband to take all that time and effort to convince you regarding a caravan holiday only to leave you in the lurch (you have obviously lost a loved husband but not your sense of humour; big hugs). I hope you, your sister and the kids have as good a time as possible.

I am really pleased the issues regarding the booking and refund have been sorted; I was intending to come on here and suggest an e-mail to the CEO. I’ve only used https://www.ceoemail.com/ a couple of times but it has been very effective. All the usual provisos of don’t be abusive, keep it factual, stress the lack of empathetic customer service, financial, and emotional effects. Thankfully not needed this time.

Wishing you good accommodation and weather…..

Despair1 · 04/05/2024 21:56

I am very sorry for the loss of your husband, you and your children have suffered an extreme, devastating loss.
Haven's treatment has been despicable and you need to write a formal complaint at the highest possible level. You need to receive a formal apology . I would also rate and describe your experience on their website.
It is essential that Haven staff receive training and guidance on dealing with the very difficult, painful experience that you describe.
At the very least, Haven should offer you a top grade caravan holiday at a time and location of your choice.

strugglingwithmentalhealth · 04/05/2024 22:00

Small claims court might be helpful here and an article on their fb or twitter or both pages stating that not only are your family dealing with the untimely death of your husband but now Havens refusal to honor the booking, throwing obstacles in the way, cancelling the booking without your permission, attempting to refund the money to a now closed bank account. I'd appeal to their better nature publicly on social media and ask what they plan to do to rectify this unpleasant and quite awful added stress and sadness to your family, This was your late husbands way of leaving his family a nice memory after he had passed away and Haven have spoiled that treasured memory and time for you. Oh by hell I'd embarrass them to the ends of the earth

MILLYmo0se · 04/05/2024 22:03

Oh my goodness, what an awful situation. I would ask your sister or a friend to act on your behalf, you have enough to deal with without having to engage with this fight for what you deserve. This was your husbands last act for his family and Havens behaviour is an outrage. Have her - and any other family members/friends emailing the CEO telling them exactly how disgusted they are and they will be shouting from the rooftops on all their social media re what's happened. Id hold of on Twitter maybe for a day or 2 because if this can be resolved without it getting picked up by the media which is a risk with Twitter that's easier on you, but if there's no movement on it then I'd unleash the hounds and have everyone let loose on Twitter.
God I can't even fathom how this could happen, even if she thought she had to cancel it wouldn't most people refer a case like this to management to plead the customers case, I'd be traumatised to be kicking a widow while she's done like this!

ClaireRed · 04/05/2024 22:04

So sorry OP such a horrible time made worse by this company, please make a complaint as it is totally unacceptable how they have handled things and their staff need retrained.

I hope you and your children have a lovely holiday elsewhere and can put this behind you

stichguru · 04/05/2024 22:15

Complain EVERYWHERE. Insist on FULL refund + At least 1/2 again as compensation for the stress they've caused you, and make sure everyone you can knows they are horrible and completely incompetent. A few employees deserve the sack for this. I hope you manage a beautiful get away with a competent company.

Genevieva · 04/05/2024 22:19

HavenAreHeartless · 04/05/2024 11:03

I’m in two minds, radio might be a good call as I don’t want my ‘sad face’ plastered all over the media! I just want Haven to realise they can’t treat people this way

The Telegraph have an excellent journalist whose column has a high success rate and no photos. Her name is Katie Morley.

You should be compensated with enough money to have a comparable holiday elsewhere at short notice.

strugglingwithmentalhealth · 04/05/2024 22:21

Oh even better I just found the nice Mr Simon Palethorpe on LinkedIn, go get him

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