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Original poster

Majorca or not next week

80 replies

imdad · 22/07/2021 22:36

Hi there,

We have both been double vaccinated. We have a 10 and 6 year old and due to fly out on the 28th for one week.

I have read that the Balearics will probably turn ambler plus and add on a 10-day quarantine. Does anyone know if that’s correct or not. I really am struggling to find the correct guidance!

We also have been fairly relaxed about going (excited actually) but we’re now starting to think with young children, is the hassle really worth it?

Alternatives of paying ££££ for terrible UK accommodations mean that we will not be going anywhere if we don’t go.

Has anyone been the last week or so with children? How did it go?

Thanks everyone 👍👍👍

OP posts:
schoolrummum · 22/07/2021 22:42

Check the rules but pretty sure if you're double jabbed you turn an Amber to a green. (Ie don't have to quarantine after day 2 test on your return).

GLTM · 22/07/2021 22:45

I cancelled our Majorca holiday last night. It was free cancellation. I was concerned about queues at the airport with young children, and also just unknown potential complications that are fine to navigate if it's just my partner and I, but could be super stressful with our children. My sister has known a few people that have gone away and it's went well.

Pootle40 · 22/07/2021 22:55

@imdad

Hi there,

We have both been double vaccinated. We have a 10 and 6 year old and due to fly out on the 28th for one week.

I have read that the Balearics will probably turn ambler plus and add on a 10-day quarantine. Does anyone know if that’s correct or not. I really am struggling to find the correct guidance!

We also have been fairly relaxed about going (excited actually) but we’re now starting to think with young children, is the hassle really worth it?

Alternatives of paying ££££ for terrible UK accommodations mean that we will not be going anywhere if we don’t go.

Has anyone been the last week or so with children? How did it go?

Thanks everyone 👍👍👍

We got back last Friday and have a 6 year old and 11 year old. Personally there were zero queues at our Scottish airport and 45 minutes to get through passport control at Palma. No hassle. Coming home the check in queue took about 30 minutes at Palma and 5 minutes at passport control back home,
Original poster
imdad · 23/07/2021 00:14

Wow! That sounds relatively easy. As another said above, I guess it’s the worry of the children more than us. I know it’s not quite normal, but we would want things to feel close to normal if that makes sense? The ultimate fear of needing to quarantine whilst there fills us with dread - I am not sure if we will end up worrying for the week.

OP posts:
astuz · 23/07/2021 10:49

I did end up worrying all week, and my biggest worry was definitely getting stuck there, or having to self-isolate when we got back, but lots of other people on other threads have really enjoyed their holidays, so I think it depends on your own state of mind. Another worry was the fact that an Amber country can go Red at any time, and then it's £1750 per person to self-isolate in a hotel! Majorca was green when we set off, so I hadn't thought of this, but it turned Amber while we there, and it hit home what a vulnerable situation we were in!

For me, I don't think I'd have been as bothered if I didn't have children with me, and secondly, we never do beach holidays normally, and the holiday hit home to me how much I really don't like them, hence why I was more desperate than most to get back home. We normally do more adventure/activity type holidays and/or road trips e.g. to France/Switzerland, and our big plan for this summer was to do a Californian road trip, but we couldn't do any of those things this year.

In hindsight, I wished we'd not gone anywhere, rather than forcing a holiday because we thought we ought to do a holiday of some kind. We chose Majorca because it was Green and it seems very popular and we thought we'd see what all the fuss was about for ourselves. I do get what the fuss is about (perfect weather/perfect beaches/perfect for sitting by a pool doing nothing), but that type of holiday is really not for me. I actually would have preferred a hiking holiday in Wales/Scotland but my 2 DDs hate hiking, all they do is whinge, so that was out. I think they quite enjoyed the holiday, but it's not them paying for it or having to sort out testing.

We flew from East midlands, and in terms of queues it seemed exactly the same as every other time I've taken a flight, so I wouldn't worry about queues. Palma airport was similar.

Caligal · 23/07/2021 15:27

I am in a similar situation. I was so excited and now I am feeling uneasy again and I could just cry because I really feel like I need this holiday.

I know no one physically needs a holiday but mentally I have been struggling with working full time from home and some general anxiety. I want to be in warm weather by the sea. I can’t bear the thought of an 8 hour journey to Cornwall or similar and for me it’s just not the same

We work from home so quarantine when I get home isn’t a problem.
We are double jabbed.

I am just having this feeling like we are doing something wrong and it’s sucking the fun out of it, and am worried about it turning to red/quarantine hotel there if we test positive before return.

I feel really sad about the whole thing, and don’t know what to do. We don’t have kids which is a plus just me and husband. Due for travel 5th August

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 23/07/2021 15:38

Going to Menorca next week - can’t cancel and I am quite stressed about the tests (only 3/6 fully jabbed) Last time a country turned red they did give a couple of days warning so fingers crossed. DH much more casual about it all but he’s not the one trying to arrange everything. I am going to try and enjoy it once there, you can’t plan for everything

Pootle40 · 23/07/2021 15:41

@Caligal

I am in a similar situation. I was so excited and now I am feeling uneasy again and I could just cry because I really feel like I need this holiday.

I know no one physically needs a holiday but mentally I have been struggling with working full time from home and some general anxiety. I want to be in warm weather by the sea. I can’t bear the thought of an 8 hour journey to Cornwall or similar and for me it’s just not the same

We work from home so quarantine when I get home isn’t a problem.
We are double jabbed.

I am just having this feeling like we are doing something wrong and it’s sucking the fun out of it, and am worried about it turning to red/quarantine hotel there if we test positive before return.

I feel really sad about the whole thing, and don’t know what to do. We don’t have kids which is a plus just me and husband. Due for travel 5th August

You won't feel like you are doing something wrong when there. Was nice to see lots of people enjoying their holiday when we were away.
Caligal · 23/07/2021 15:43

I wouldn’t care if you could isolate in an apartment or similar. But to be forced to a hotel and separated from your family feels a bit too stressful for me!!

Caligal · 23/07/2021 15:44

Thank you, I hope so. I really do want to go but feel worried as I am a naturally anxious person and keep thinking worst case scenario!

Caligal · 23/07/2021 15:45

Ironically I went to Gran Canaria in September last year and had no worries at all because you didn’t have to test before return!! It just feels even harder now, and now I’m double vaccinated!!

Nanny67 · 23/07/2021 15:51

I'm in Majorca at the moment. All very smooth on the way here - it's quicker if you have everything printed off I think. Plenty of Brits and children here!

Caligal · 23/07/2021 16:00

Do you know much about the procedure If you test positive before the flight home at all?

Hope you are having a lovely time! Smile

rookiemere · 23/07/2021 16:09

We were meant to be going with another family mid August and I backed out about a week ago. Thankfully we were in the position where we could move the flights to something else and the villa was cancellable.

It just didn't seem that enjoyable and as DH said I'd be worried until we got our negative tests for going home as that's where the real risk is. Plus it was the week before DS due back at school for an important exam year and I don't want him to miss any school if we got caught over there with a positive test or had to self isolate on return due to the rules changing which they could easily do.

Maybe another factor is I'd booked a number of holidays and some had been pushed forward so we had a gorgeous week in the Lakes and are just about to head to Whitby tomorrow.

Our friends are still planning to go - feel really guilty as not much accommodation left now - and my friends view is that they have insurance so they will be fine - but it's their last chance for a family holiday with their DD so a lot more to play for,plus they haven't gone yet and may change their minds between now and mid August.

It's a big decision, I'd say if you do go just check that your insurance covers you for not being able to go due to a positive test or T&T and that you have some cover if you have to quarantine over there.

LittleRen · 23/07/2021 16:34

The government cannot house everybody in Spain right now for it to turn red - it is highly unlikely it will happen in august. Amber plus, yes, but red no. That’s why they didn’t put France on red and there are far less Brits in France than Spain.

4everhopeful · 26/07/2021 14:17

I'm in exactly the same boat and just want to cry. Due to go on the 11th. Me and DH Double jabbed, but kids 11 and 8 both autistic. My huge fear and reason for probably cancelling is if our tests to fly home are positive and we get moved to a quarantine covid hotel in Majorca and poss seperated, which I've read has happened. (obvs not kids, but if one positive one negative?). Also how long quarantined if one tested positive later? Our daughter starts secondary school so the idea of missing first day horrific.

Does anyone know of what's happened and personal experience if you tested positive pre return to uk?

I queried with our hotel as booked direct and the majorcan gov do take you to a covid hotel to quarantine with basic hospital food 3 x a day. I just can't imagine how my kids would cope.

It's not worth the risk is it?

Makes my heart ache as they've had so much disappointment already, and of course it's all what ifs.. But also very real risk. Sad

Caligal · 26/07/2021 14:40

You can refuse to go, if you can pay to isolate (properly) yourself or if your insurance covers you to stay in the room you are in I believe? You don’t HAVE to legally go to the covid hotel if you can find an alternative as far as my research is proving... but it’s not simple...

Any concrete advice on your options would be great but I just can’t seem to find any...

selflove · 26/07/2021 14:57

My friend tested positive whilst out in Ibiza with her DH & kids. All had to isolate, they were able to stay in their own hotel and had food brought to them, but couldn't leave the room. Bedding and towels were left outside. She said it was awful - at least at home the kids had their toys and books, but in the hotel the only thing they had were IPads so they spent 10 days glued to screens and bickering in a room. Friend also said it was the most ill she's ever felt (double Pfizer jabbed), and all the stress it caused meant it wasn't worth it. She also said that where they were staying was really strict - kids over 3 had to wear masks at the hotel disco etc.

Newbornandupwards · 26/07/2021 15:04

I think

Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting · 26/07/2021 15:12

I don't think it's worth the stress. Worrying about a positive result, worrying about rule changes whilst there, wearing masks in the hotel etc

People who are more laid back than me would probably go for it. But I'm lucky to have a week in self catering accommodation (owned by family friends so not expensive) by the beach in Cornwall booked for August. Holidays abroad are tempting when so many UK options are extortionate, a bit shit or both.

Newbornandupwards · 09/08/2021 09:14

Any updates on Mallorca and how people are finding it? Stressful!

Caligal · 09/08/2021 10:05

I’m here at the moment- so far great!!

Can I ask why it’s stressful for you Sad hope it’s not all bad

Iknowtheanswer · 09/08/2021 10:10

I'm jealous! We were planning to go this Saturday, but we had Covid three weeks ago, and current rules meant that we would have to take a day 2 test, and the isolate if positive.

This is despite the fact that we are not allowed to take a PCR for 90 days otherwise! Not worth the risk, as I can't work from home and the dcs have commitments the week we were due to get back.

Remmy123 · 09/08/2021 10:53

I am going Friday and will do a lateral flow before returning home - if positive we will change flights snd find a villa for 10 days to isolate in.

We are only going for a week so will be doing tests to come home 4 days after we arrive .. we are eating outside away from others etc so I can't see us being positive but I'm happy with my back up plan.

thenightsky · 09/08/2021 11:02

@Remmy123 Will the airline accept a lateral flow for coming home? My neighbour came back from Spain last weekend and said she spent the last 3 days of her holiday driving around trying to get a PCR test. Everywhere was booked up or massive queues.

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