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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Chance of a 'dream' holiday - would you take it?

17 replies

itchyandscratchy · 02/03/2009 11:29

I know lots of you will think I'm either a)showing off or b)a mentallist but I'm in two minds about a holiday opp that has some our way.

My brother works in the maldives as a diving instructor. His gf mentioned last time they were home that they get friends and family rates and could also help us with discounted flights. They've been looking into it for us and we think we can get 2 weeks in the summer hols for the 4 of us for around £2500/£3K, all inclusive. I don't know what full price would be but I'm guessing at least £5K for a family of 4?

Disadvantage would be that we might have to move accommodation a few times during the time as full-paying guests would have priority on our room if the resort was full, worst case scenario would be staying with db and his gf for a couple of days in their accomm. But I also think they might not be as busy at their resort this year with the credit crunch maybe?

We would never usually spend this much on a hol and would not usually go for somewhere like this either, with kids... but db won't be working there forever so this might be our last chance. We'd need a loan or a 0% credit card to pay for it which I also worry is a bit irresponsible.

Am I being pathetic?

OP posts:

themildmanneredjanitor · 02/03/2009 11:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChopsTheDuck · 02/03/2009 11:33

i think atm you would be lucky to find a cheap rate of credit and so it will end up costing a lot more than £5k in total by thte time you've paid it back. I think even though it is a good oppurtunity, personally I'd go for something that I could afford without debt.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 02/03/2009 11:35

I would do it as long as I was 100% sure I could pay back the loan/credit card without incurring interest or having to live on baked beans. It's only a dream holiday if you don't lose your house.

Hersetta · 02/03/2009 14:32

I'm torn - I love the maldives. We've been 4 times and it's my favourite place in the world, however i don't believe in getting into debt that could take a while to pay off for all the tea in China, so if I can't afford something, I don't buy it. As much as I love it there it does sound like it would stretch you financially - depends if you're willing to do that.

MaplePecanPlait · 02/03/2009 14:42

Sorry to be a kill joy but you can't really afford it can you? It's still really expensive I think for a family of four and not quite the bargain you see. Plus moving around and bunking up with your brother?

Maybe if it was about £1000......

Original poster

itchyandscratchy · 02/03/2009 16:42

hmmm yes that's what's stopping me jumping at the chance I think.

If we had this much money for a holiday and I had a free choice I'd rather go to the states and drive around; I'm not much of a beach-bod. We were going to save up for next year to go to the states but then this came up... we usually go on bucket and spade holidays in this country, but everyone else we've spoken to has been that I'm even dithering. and I know this sounds completely crap but I don't know if we'd find it too hot (the dds and me are very pale-skinned) and if we'd be a bit bored??

Why do people like the maldives so much? Genuine question - some of our friends love it most in the whole world, and I can see it as a fab honeymoon but not sure if it's the right hol for us with 2 small-ish dcs?

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MaplePecanPlait · 02/03/2009 18:54

Oh yes. Go to the States, never been but sounds alot more interesting in a making memories kind of way!

I think alot of our holidays when the DCs were younger were really hard work and not all of them liked the beach or all wanted to be there at the same time, plus sun cream all the time and sand.....sorry.

I think you have been offered what you are told is a "good deal" and feel you should take it. However, I am glad that you are really asking yourself if you would actually like it there. I looked at a mag today and all the honeymooners seem to go to the Maldives so thought and your situation. However, maybe they have fab kids clubs there but no doubt would cost extra.

Just didn't seem like a massive bargain to me - we are very much bucket and spade in the UK too. Holidays should cost hundreds rather than thousands...shouldn't they??

Original poster

itchyandscratchy · 02/03/2009 20:05

I'm really starting to think like that too, Maple. Part of me is quite with myself for even considering this but, like I said before, so many of my friends and colleagues have been every time I mention my bruv and where he works and they always ask 'ooo can't you go visit?' and now we can I'm just a bit blah about it. They don't have kids clubs at db's resort but I don't think we'd use them anyway. I think I've just been a bit swept up with the idea of such a beautiful setting and the chance to relax (we'd be going for 2 weeks rather than just the usual 1 as well).

and yes, I've never paid a shedload for a holiday - we're more than happy with the 100s we spend rather than the 1000s others seem to. Not knocking it, but again, I'd love to spend that much on an adventure in the states.

Think it's time for a chat with dh...

OP posts:

MaplePecanPlait · 02/03/2009 20:51

well done you

very brave to be objective about this one!

Just know that I would be feeling very poor after this holiday rather than relishing the 'relative' bargain.

Hope it is the right decision for you though?

Original poster

itchyandscratchy · 02/03/2009 20:55

I dunno! Here is the resort

am I bonkers?

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MaplePecanPlait · 02/03/2009 21:04

OK had a quick look and it is of course absolutely gooooorrrrgeous! Are you falling for the 'jacuzzi bedrooms' and heart shaped trail of petals though.....difficult and I really shouldn't have looked.

Is it all really that good????

Damn it.

You need some other MN to offer some advice. I think if you still can't afford it, well you still can't afford it. How long would it take you to pay off on a card? What if you lose your jobs...

Depressing motherly boring advice I know and NOT what you want to hear!

GOOD LUCK

Original poster

itchyandscratchy · 02/03/2009 21:10

lol at what the dds would do with the trail of petals - would be wasted on the likes of us lot!

We can't afford it up front; end of.
We could afford to do it if we borrowed the money; paying back wouldn't be too much hassle - dh has never had a credit card or loan and is very disciplined (unlike me) and would make it his priority to sort all that out. Db is thinking of jacking it in in a year or two, so we wouldn;t get the chance again... and I really don't know if it would be worth it?? Like I said before, people rave about it but why? surroundings and natural beauty, sealife, etc?

and I do want motherly advice - it would be very easy to say 'fuck it!' and go ahead regardless but it's still a lot of money and I want to know if it would suit us.

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MaplePecanPlait · 02/03/2009 21:47

mmmmmm.

think about it for a bit then, don't rush in and see if your DB can improve on his discount as doesn't seem THAT cheap.

mumoverseas · 03/03/2009 08:20

I'd go, but thats me and I love the Maldives having been 3 times before. The main reason I'd go is that its not too far from where we are (Middle East) and I love diving, as do my two eldest kids.
However, that is me. If you have any doubts now, which clearly you do, then it is not for you.
To be honest, the price you've been quoted is a pretty good deal for a family of 4 in the Maldives all inclusive. BUT, you could get a really good 2 week holiday in the states for that which sounds more your cup of tea.

If you fancy the Disney thing, you could rent a private 4 bed villa with its own pool a few miles from Disney for around £400 per week. You could therefore consider maybe a week in Orlando, do the Disney thing and then maybe a week driving around seeing other parts of Florida, ie driving down to the Keys or going to Tampa/St Petes.

You and DH need to talk about this one a bit further and decide what your actual dream holiday would be. Mine would be the Maldives but everyones dreams are different.

ChopsTheDuck · 04/03/2009 09:35

if you don't really fancy heat and the beach then I'd forget it. It seems like you are considering because it's a bargain rather than because it's something you want to do.

I'd rather drive round the states too. I've done the disney and key west thing, but if I was going to spend £4k to blow on a holiday I'd get a campervan or drive and stop at motels and explore california/LA/grand canyon all round that area. That amount in America could go quite far I reckon, especially if you book everything seperately yourself rather than using an agency.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 04/03/2009 09:45

Do not spend 000s on a holiday and get yourself in debt (even if you think you can repay it with no problem in this economy I wouldn't risk it) for a holiday that you might not enjoy. If you don't mind the debt use the money for a holiday you will enjoy (i.e. USA).

Original poster

itchyandscratchy · 04/03/2009 19:02

Yes, have made up my mind. Dh is back after being away for a few days and I am going to broach it with him tonight. He was more excited than anyone (we didn't tell dcs) because he loves the heat etc. but I'm sure he'll be fine. It will help knowing that we need to renew our fixed rate mortgage in the next month and things are likely to be tighter financially . Think we will do bucket and spade this year then US next year and start saving now!

OP posts:

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