There is so much backstory, I’m going to try and make it short, it’s not a drip feed, feel free to ask questions if you’re interested, but this is probably a 2am vent because I’m actually so devastated. Me and DS developed a love of cruising 4 years ago. I’m a single Mom, have worked really hard all my life (very underprivileged background) and the first cruise was really me just trying to treat us to a fab holiday, we had the best time, I continued to advance in my career, went on another the following year, had to forego last year as I finally had the opportunity to buy my son a home (really hard year of saving) and then we booked for this year and were so excited. My son deserved it so much, he was so understanding last year with all the cuts I had to make, he went all in with me in the savings we had to make, suggesting cutbacks, giving up treats, and we just were a great team last year. So we booked for this year, and my mother and her husband suggested they come with us. Her husband (who I do love) turned 60 so it would have been a lovely celebration. But the whole thing was a fucking disaster, and I’ve been in tears half the week. Before we ever left she was pissed at the cruise company because they had me as the lead passenger for the booking, and her husband as the lead for her cabin. It’s literally just the way the booking was made, I forwarded her every single email, it really wasn’t a big deal. She had trouble signing up for their loyalty programme, no idea why but that had her pissed too. Lots of inconsequential admin shit she got pissy about but I tried to just help and then ignore. Day of the flight out, turned out our 10kg bags had to be checked in. We also had hand luggage, and checked 22kg. Not a big deal to me but her and her husband caused a massive issue and then were miserable in the airport ruining the excitement. Got on board and complained about everything. No food despite an extensive buffet. Rude to the staff repeatedly. Giving out about opening hours, even though other venues were open. Made gagging noises and gestures at breakfast… all in the first 36 hours on board. Just a complete misery. went to a speciality restaurant the second night, left us waiting for 30mins at the end then text to say she was gone for a cigarette and not to wait for her. I went and found her, told her how rude it was, she got so defensive and told me she had to make a call (apparently the call was none of my business), that she had no peace, there was too many people. She was only on board for 36 hours. I told her that me and DS hadn’t had a holiday in 2 years, I had saved a lot of money for this holiday and she was being a complete misery and to cop on basically. Next day she was apparently sick, and spent the whole day acting like she was made of glass. The 4th day we went into port and was the only day that was half way enjoyable. But the night, we were on our own on deck and she basically called me a racist, told me my bio father didn’t give a fuck about me (he’s dead now, not a good person but I’ve spent decades dealing with father issues, abandonment issues, and issues arising from her lying to me about my origin since I was small). I ended up in tears and went back to the cabin. My son then saw how upset I was and bless him, went and found her, told her she was out of order. Got texts at all hours from her afterwards. Next day, her husband was ill. He’s a good man and rarely ill. Actually went to the onboard medic (never goes to GP willingly) and was prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection. He deteriorated the following day and then collapsed on deck with my mother. Such a scary time, me and DS genuinely thought he was going to die, we were both in bits, as was my mother. Spent hours in the on board hospital and think it was the infection, the heat, the dehydration etc. Me and DS spent the rest of the holiday worried, depressed, worn out and then tried to be as nice and helpful as we could to get them both home yesterday. Woken up today at home and we’re both exhausted. I’ve just been crying all day tbh (not in front of DS). I’m so upset. My annual leave wasted, thousands down the drain, a holiday me and DS love so much tainted. I think I’m done. I’m so sick of her. She sucks the joy out of things. We live really close, very involved in each others lives and I just don’t know how to move forward, I can’t be around her. I love her husband, and their dog, but I just can’t believe how badly she ruined our holiday. How do I remove myself from her without complete nuclear fallout.