Crete in July?

[Ilikefresias]

We had already booked to go to Crete in July and now that it's almost time to pay the balance I feel so conflicted! Part of me thinks that IF things are settled this could be a lovely relaxing holiday but I'd be happy if the travel ban remained in place and it was cancelled. DH and DS are desperate to go. I feel that if I cancel now all we lose is the deposit. I know no one has a crystal ball but am interested to hear what others would do. At present I can't imagine an airport, flights, coach transfer and a touristy hotel!! We are all healthy, no previous health conditions but I guess I'm in a bubble of hardly leaving the home. I do struggle with anxiety and DH thinks I'm giving in to this.

Bumping for the the day crowd! I'd like to know what other people think...

If you pay the balance now and then they cancel due to flight restrictions etc - will you get a full refund from the holiday company? If so, I'd risk it, but if not I'd call them and ask if you can rebook for the following year. You could always pick up a last minute deal in July if restrictions are lifted.

Thanks ellanwood. It's Jet2 so we would get a refund if it's cancelled, although I think they're slow to come through!! I think my worry if whether it's safe to fly etc.. wondered what others would do?

I don't think I would, sorry. There have been issues with refunds haven't there?

We were in the same position as you - we had booked to go to Corfu in July. We cancelled at the end of March, the day before the balance was due to be paid, so we've lost our £400 deposit but that was our choice. We had absolutely no faith that the travel company (Tui) would have offered us a refund even if they'd cancelled the holiday later - they have closed their phone lines, are only offering vouchers at the moment, or the option to rebook but I strongly suspect they won't be in business next year to honour those rebookings anyway.

Thanks Kitty, I'm tending towards cancelling now whilst we only lose the deposit and a few other bits like parking and insurance but the rest of the family think I'm overreacting. I just wanted to get the opinion of others so this is helpful!

MrsSpenser - yes, I agree that this could be the end of some companies. I certainly wouldn't want vouchers with them!

There are many of us in the same position. I don't really want to go in August even if they let us. For example we could go abroad then have to spend two weeks in our room isolating!
You may find the below thread helpful

We're meant to be going to Crete in September with TUI. They've hopefully got a better chance than some of the other operators of still being operational in the future. Last time I checked, the number of cases in Crete was very low - just into double figures I think - so we're probably more of a risk to them than the other way round. I wouldn't be letting the English in if I were Greek! But lots of places will be dependant on the money coming in from tourists (Crete less so than many islands, but still).

Exactly! For us, we didn't want to take the risk of going on the holiday and then being quarantined - or, worse, getting ill and being hospitalised. Let alone using up precious medical resources on a Greek island. We were going without our children and the thought of being stuck abroad potentially for weeks is what swung it. July/August is when the second wave of the virus is meant to peak, isn't it ..??

Yes, a big worry of mine is that we develop symptoms whilst there and end up in hospital or quarantined! Obviously we would not travel if we had symptoms but you never know... and once social distancing is lifted here we presumably have more chance of catching it.
I see this morning that there is talk of people who return from abroad needing to then self isolate for 2 weeks. That's making the school holidays look less enticing! If restrictions are lifted here and we can travel freely I also feel that my money would be better spent supporting a British business. Some big conversations coming up with the rest of the family I think!!

Please check with your holiday company and see whether they'll give you a full refund in the event of a cancellation. Some airlines are trying ot get passengers to accept a credit voucher instead of refunding cash and some tour operators / travel agents are struggling for cash.
So please check and get it in writing before you pay any cash.

Is it a package? If so I think you’re covered by ABTA whatever happens

I heard a discussion very early on with ref to someone who had skiing booked in Japan. His flight & hotel were still available, but he would have been stuck in his hotel room. Travel expert said that with a package cancellation would refund, but not with separate bookings.

It is a package so as you say covered by ABTA. Just unsure if I want to go if travel ban is lifted!!

How much is the deposit you’d lose if you cancel now?

We have a week in Jersey booked at the end of July - easyJet flights paid in full upfront, Airbnb balance due mid-July, so we’ve already paid most of it. I’ve only been thinking of whether or not lockdown will have been lifted - if it hasn’t we should be refunded anyway (at least that’s what’s been happening with recent bookings) but I hadn’t thought at all how the holiday would pan out if it has been

Sounds as if you’d be outvoted if going is possible? It’s impossible to know what conditions there would be like if you did go (but imagine how you’d be welcomed! )

GiantKitten I love Jersey! One of my favourite places
we'd lose about £300, I'm ok with that but DH thinks I'm crazy and we should go if we can! We'd get a refund if govt advice says not to travel but I think it could take a while ...

Oh that’s good to know - we’ve never been - any helpful hints, if we do get there? ( I was just looking at day trips to St Malo )

£300 is quite a bit to write off, but otoh a relatively small price for certainty. It is a hard decision. Good luck with it!

GiantKitten we went kayaking which was fun, we visited the Botanical Gardens which were beautiful and we went on a lovely boat trip. It's such a lovely place, hope you get there!

What did you decide to do? We moved our holiday to next year just before the final payment was due. Now have a lovely holiday booked for next July. Balance not due until April. This was with Tui as well.

We had a ferry to spain booked for September. If you can get through to speak to someone, that’s what I would try and do. Although there is still a slim chance we may be able to go this year, I wouldn’t want to now. I didn’t want to pay the full balance (due in July), but if I cancelled I would lose the deposit. I managed to speak to someone at Britanny Ferries and they issued a credit note for the deposit to spend next year, which I’m happy with. I wouldn’t have paid the full balance I’m afraid.

Not sure what your work situation is but with new quarantine regulations probably coming in from early June it would mean for a 2 week holiday you would need 4 weeks off work. Regarding refunds you need to check what your recourse would be if you needed a refund but the company had gone bust - as many may do now especially if the 2 week quarantine rule when returning to uk comes into force

Or OP and her DH might be able to wfh during the quarantine period.