Santorini explosive argument

[JifNtGif]

I always go in holiday once a year with friend. Normally Europe, something chilled for 10 days. We switch who does all the admin / booking but will have a few places in mind. This year it was my turn to organise. Have booked Santorini. Got a fantastic deal. Beautiful venue. I booked it over Xmas for this July. Friend happy.
After several earthquakes we were nervous but agreed to wait it out (aware this is 'act of god' so couldn't get refund on insurance). There's been nothing major recently. So I assumed trip was on.

Over the weekend friend forwarded BBC article and said that the lead scientist said the " big earthquake/ volcanic eruption was coming this summer " and has said she's not coming.
I've read the article and it doesn't say that at all. In fact if anything it seemed the team had no clue what was happening and just let a journalist hang out with them for a day.
We can't cancel without losing a lot of money and friend said she would rather pay not to go. She won't reimburse me if I go by myself though.

We had a heated discussion and tbh I think she's making up earthquake scenarios/ catastrophising. What would you do ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm25lz56rezo

Tell her you won't go, get her to reimbursement you. Then just go. She is being quite ridiculous.

I agree with you. In fact the article specifically says it’s not expected to erupt in the near future. The article is about scientists trying to predict when it may erupt rather than saying it’s coming soon.

She needs to reimburse you.
It's her choice to go or not.

If you go that's your choice too.

Your choices seem to be to miss out and lose the money, attend alone, or if holiday can be transferred see if friend pulling out of the holiday would be willing to pay for another friend to go with you.

I'll give with you instead 😊

Why wouldn't she pay her share if she decides not to go?

After being involved in a nasty situation with someone who dropped out of a group holiday I wouldn't ever book on behalf of a friend. I know it's too late for you and I hope you don't end up losing money

go

I have friends in the area. I don't think either of you are being unreasonable. Yes, seismic activity has subsided (not ended though) but that could go either way - it only takes on earthquake, even without an eruption (again, not likely, but scientists can only predict so much). It wouldn't bother me, but I can see why some people would be scared. What I don't understand is, if she is happy to pay not to go, that's fine - why can't you go without her?

Let her pay not to go, then go without her.

friend said she would rather pay not to go. She won't reimburse me if I go by myself though

Is she saying that if you cancel the whole she’ll pay her share, but if you only cancel her half and you still go, she won’t give you a penny?

I think OP is saying that her friend is OK to lose her own money but won’t reimburse OP.

I agree the trump card is mine, but it will destroy the friendship and I doubt we will go away again. Which is a shame. She is normally fine but has an unnatural fear of tsunami/ earthquakes/ being hit by lightning etc

Yes I would have to go on my own. If I cancel it I'll lose money of course. She hasn't actually paid me for any of this yet.

Why have you paid for a holiday at Xmas and not taken the money off her?

Get her to transfer you the money asap.

Then go on your own.

Or are you saying she’s refusing to pay you her half of the cost?

She’s being utterly ridiculous in not wanting to reimburse for her half if she doesn’t go but you do. It’s fine if she’s too nervous to go, but she doesn’t get to decide that on your behalf. I wouldn’t worry about losing the friendship if you say you won’t go and then go, she’s the one being selfish here.

She agreed to a holiday. She needs to pay her half regardless of her decision (unless you can find someone else to go instead).

She needs to pay her share. Up to her whether she goes or not but she owes you 50%.

Is it a package holiday? Depending upon tour operator, for a small fee you may be able to change to a different destination [plus the extra cost if more expensive package].

With Tui [for instance] such a change within 29-70 days before departure would cost £50 per person

This.

I thought many Santorini residents had fled the island, in which case that would make me think twice?

Surely you could find somewhere else, that’s less likely to erupt?

Sadly not. Separate flight and hotel deals. All non refundable and seems to cost a lot to change flights anyway.

I didn't know insurance companies still used the phrase 'act of God'. Seems v strange to bring religion in to a legal matter.

We didn't know if was "gonna blow" when I booked at Xmas !

She needs to pay her share, but you go anyway
probably quire a nice place to go by yourself

Why will it destroy your friendship? You said she will still pay for her share even if she doesn’t go. You go and have a nice holiday on your own. People are different about risks, ive known people cancel trips for all sorts of reasons I personally found ridiculous but we’re all different.

Saying she's happy to pay not to go, but only if you don't go, is really obnoxious of her. Like, she's prepared to lose a ton of money as a result of her weird earthquake anxiety, but only if you aren't allowed to enjoy yourself either.

It’s a great place to go on your own meet with the back packer types there’s loads of interesting people around. Please go. Also try and get a mate to pay for a flight as the hotels won’t care about who is staying in the room.