So it’s now illegal to even have hope it optimism for the future?!

[Lissy23]

That’s how it seems reading posts on here and on social media platforms.
How dare I even think about booking a holiday in this country 5 months into the future?
Why can’t I just be grateful I have my health and I’m not lying in a hospital bed?
I should be thinking of those dying everyday, not booking something so I’ve got things to look forward to...

Well I have one break booked in April, two breaks booked in June and one in August. And yes, they’re all fully refundable. Do I expect them to go ahead? Yes to June and August. Cautiously optimistic for April.

@everythingthelighttouches I'm not the OP but no I'm not angry at the government for saying they can't guarantee things.

I am however angry at the insinuation that people shouldn't be booking things (Grant Shapps). People are free to take calculated gambles with mitigated risk (T&Cs/transferability/insurance etc)

@vera99 We certainly need a Thursday Boo for Boris. I’ll be out with my megaphone, yelling it into the sky.

I get you OP, but people have become so utterly hopeless at risk assessment and looking after themselves...

Remember, all those people going abroad at the start of the pandemic who then had to be repatriated by the gvt. All those people who think they have rights, but are not responsible for risks and get themselves stranded in foreign lands with zero money in their accounts to cope with eventualities...

So the gvt has to advise against all travel this summer, that’s a clear message

If people end up stranded or having to evacuate it’s their responsibility, and don’t come crying to uncle Bojo

That’s how I interpret things anyway

Hollyhead

Yes, I agree people have the right to take their own risks. In fact, even if it’s cancelled, I think some owners the thought of it to look forward to, even if it’s false hope.

If the government said “you can book a holiday but do so at your own risk”

and a few weeks later said “sorry, now the cases haven’t come down as much/ there’s a hitch with the vaccine rollout/ there’s a new variant so no, you can’t go abroad this summer”

Wouldn’t people be mad with them??

It's all a bit meh isn't it. As I said upthread I'm 2 weeks in from diagnosis and actually am ok. BUT the week I was diagnosed I was seriously considering seeing my parents who are 64 and 75, both healthy and dm still works in a senior school. We are all super careful and I thought the risk would be minimal if non existent as dm has regular tests at school. I am so so so glad I didnt and carried on heading the government guidelines as that's the week I was unknowingly symptomatic and within a few days did a test and was positive. I would have felt absolutely awful to have given it to my parents and they fared alot worse than me. So as much as I'm down about not seeing those I love and doing what I love I'm glad I kept away. Xxx

A bit dramatic to say you can't get excited. I think the message is be aware plans are likely to be uncertain. Book at your own risk.

Like a poster above said. Last February people were booking holidays with no idea what would unfold. This year by all means book but do it knowing there could restrictions, costs, tests, quarantine, rules that don't exist yet, cancellations, postponements etc if you do.

Everyone can decide for themselves what they feel they need to do. Some won't be affording a holiday now as their livelihoods are fucked. Some may decide they need to book something for their sanity. I think everyone just needs to do what they need to do to get them through this shitty time, but at least this year, anyone booking a break away is doing so with some knowledge it may not happen or happen with changes/restrictions. We're a more informed nation this year.

I would probably think someone a little over enthusiastic if they booked a world cruise for May but that's their choice and I wish I lived with that much hope.

As someone who has lost their job in travel I'm pleased to see people so keen but fully understand the risks involved. I've found another job but it's on hold until we fly again and for every week or month of uncertainty I worry my new job won't materialise.

Happy holiday hunting whether you go the whole hog and book or just fantasise.

As long as you don't then moan that the disappointment is unbearable if it turns out you can't go and are aware you're going against advice/taking a huge financial risk, I don't see the problem.

We'll I've booked a full blown, 10 holiday abroad for mid August. Somewhere sunny, by a beach and with a pool, for a family of 4.

Ok, so it might not happen (and we paid a bit.more to be sure of a full refund!) But hell, I was.so happy when I booked it and it's giving.me.hope.and pleasure and really lifted my spirits! So why not!!!.

✈️🏖️🏖️🍦🍨🍷🍷🏊🏊🌍

10 day ...

I’m with you @Covidcraziness I booked a 14 day holiday to Costa Rica for December last week . I accept it might get cancelled or I may bankrupt myself with Covid tests but I don’t care. I have now got a travel book off Amazon and can spend the next few months planning my trip and yes it might not happen but the happiness I have got from booking something to look forward to is worth every penny and worse comes to worse the flight will be moved and I will go in 2022

Hopeful we can go away on at least one of the four UK trips we have booked, some are deferred bookings from last year. If we can’t then it’s tough titties and we’ll just wait it out until next year. It’s rubbish but what can you do.

Only an absolute idiot would be booking abroad for this year though.

I hope they don’t undo any gains made by allowing international travel, unless there is rigorous testing plus compulsory hotel quarantine stay after regardless of destination. We don’t need more spread or more variations just because of personal wants,

I have something booked (rolled over from last year). If you can afford it why not hope?

BUT

Why brag about it when many are struggling? 4 breaks booked?! Well, good for you. This thread, braggy and not so good...

@Stirmecrazy

I’m with you *@Covidcraziness* I booked a 14 day holiday to Costa Rica for December last week . I accept it might get cancelled or I may bankrupt myself with Covid tests but I don’t care. I have now got a travel book off Amazon and can spend the next few months planning my trip and yes it might not happen but the happiness I have got from booking something to look forward to is worth every penny and worse comes to worse the flight will be moved and I will go in 2022

A student I know is on a scholarship in Costa Rica and it's amazing. It's also just lovely to see photos and video of people enjoying themselves in a normal happy teenage way (he's 17) Hope you get there!

I've got last year's cancelled holidays rebooked.

It's not illegal obviously, but I know what you mean, OP. I'm seeing some ridiculous posts on SM calling people idiots for thinking they'll be going on holiday this year. But what's wrong with wanting to be optimistic that the vaccination rollout is going to change things for the better? The constant negativity gets me down more than being in actual lockdown. And while I appreciate they are doing their jobs and erring on the side of caution, I'm sick of SAGE scientists countering every positive news story with a doom and gloom rebuttal. This morning, it's about the March 8 date the Govt has earmarked for our children to start going back to school – two SAGE members have come out this morning and said there should be no discussion of dates into 'March, April'. It's so defeating.

I was flamed on another thread for saying schools will go back on March 8th and they will have two weeks notice prior to this to arrange it. It's what many MPs and people want to hear and it's the date that seems to be in peoples heads. I was told I was wrong and now it seems a few scientists have been on tv saying the same! Fair enough but don't put dates out there if it's not true! I am sure schools will turn into the same debacle as

Posted too soon! .. Same debacle as Christmas and holidays are! Nobody really knowing and the press making things up !

You are able to get a full refund (or not pay until you get there). As am I for the hotel in the UK I have booked later in the year.

However, sensible advice not to assume you can go to your usual holiday destination and that it might not happen. Mr Johnson of course struggled to say this because it meant he could not lie, and telling anything remotely near the truth is not something he seems capable of.

Personally, I will not be booking anything because I find the uncertainty too stressful to live with in the run up.

I don’t think I’m especially pessimistic, I just don’t like having things up in the air around me - not when I can control that variable by not booking anything!

I do not believe this POV makes me superior.

You like something to look forward to, I like to reduce uncertainty.

Tui have just sent me an email about booking a holiday for 2022.Do they know something we don't?

@Ilovegreentomatoes

Tui have just sent me an email about booking a holiday for 2022.Do they know something we don't?

2022 sounds more sensible, by then more countries will have vaccinated people and have boosters in place. Things should be more open and maybe no SD.

By 2022 I might have lost enough weight to struggle into my swimming costume to go on holiday! Something to aim for maybe?

@Stirmecrazy I was in Costa Rica this time last year! Coronavirus hadn’t reached there at that point. It’s an amazing country and actually has a really good medical system as medical devices are a big export. While I think people booking summer holidays are optimistic, hopefully everything will have calmed down enough by December for you to go.

I’m with TUI, I can’t be bothered rebooking stuff so going to wait for 2022.