AIBU - Friends have booked same holiday

I’m with LizzyG! Seems like a deliberate attempt to preempt your holiday. Just refuse to talk about it until you’ve had your trip and then you can compare notes.

It does sound a little off to use you to get a discount without saying anything first. All I can say, is it has cost you nothing apart from the worry that they will ruin things for you by talking about it.
Just don't meet up with them and avoid looking at any messages until you have been. If you are on social media, just hide any of their content once they've set off on their journey.
Thank your lucky stars that they aren't going with you, that's what my Mum and Aunt did when we booked a holiday as a family.
Its not unreasonable to think they shouldn't have done it but it would probably be unreasonable to make a big song and a dance over it, especially if you take damage limitation control!

Its ridiculous and childish. Yes you are being unreasonable.

Tell them not to spoil it for you. End of story - it could have been woirse... they could have tagged along with you.

I agree with the majority here in that it isn't something to ruminate over. It sounds like OH is obsessing a bit about it and possibly as he is a bit down this feeling of being floored could have occurred with any perceived negative situation. You are lucky they are not going at the same time as you. Obviously I don't know the route but it may be that a later booking would have meant the chance of cooler weather so that is why they booked an earlier one. I think if they are very close friends I would have been happy for them to get a good price using my name as an introduction. I do think though you should make a deal that they say nothing to you about their trip and then following yours you can meet for a full 'debrief' which would be fun. You are blessed to be able to go on the cruise. I hope you have a fantastic time.

Look on the bright side they may mention some must see destinations or the fact that certain side trips book up before you travel—-I can see how you would be amazed about them booking before you were going,have fun anyway.

I think you should ask them not to tell you too much about their experiences when they return.

To be truthful, I think your husband's reaction is a little too much.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I think they must have thought that, if you were going, the holiday must be good.

I do agree that perhaps they shouldn't have used the discount without mentioning it to you first but I don't think it's worth getting upset about and perhaps ruining a friendship.

I don’t really like the phrase ‘first world problem’ but here it’s very apt. What with the horrors in Ukraine, starvation in Afghanistan and elsewhere, the pandemic still rife, the cost of living crisis and your husband is sulking because………. someone has booked the same cruise - not even at the same time!
He really needs to get a grip - is it a genuine post?!?

Take it as a compliment...They probably know you & hubby have good taste and only go on the best cruises...If they try & talk bout the holiday when they come back just say jokingly please don't tell us anything we want it to be a surprise...

I think it’s a storm in the proverbial tea cup. You obviously made it sound rather enticing, so went and copied you. I agree with Mine, be flattered and maybe tell them you don’t want to hear about it until you get back and then meet up and exchange experiences. Life’s too short , just enjoy the holiday and have fun.

when my son was young we tried each year to go to a holiday park, he ran out of school one day and it was mum mum whats the place we are going to, i told him and his friends mother said they would like to go, her son was lovely but the mum & dad were heavy drinkers and very loud, they booked it and we did not look forward to it, just a few days before we went my mil had a bad fall, holiday cancelled, we explained to the travel agent and they got us a holiday for later on in the summer at a different park, 2 weeks for the price of 1 and half board, it was the best holiday we ever had and my son still talks about it. i can understand how your husband feels, this holiday was exciting for you both and it does sound a bit like they are stealing your thunder by going first, maybe best to avoid them and if you can't just very nicely say, thanks but we don't want to know anything before we go.

Well it is a shame that they went on and booked your dream holiday and will be enjoying it before you get to go, they are a bit cheeky. After 2 years of Covid it will still be an amazing adventure, as others said avoid them if you want to keep everything fresh or get them to share tips so your holidays is the best it can be. Your time together is precious, enjoy your holiday.

True

Nothing to add except are you sailing from Portsmouth ? I’ve seen the Virgin cruise liner docked up as I live here , it’s visible from the motorway , can honestly say it’s magnificent as cruise ships go and I am enormously jealous ! Just drop a casual comment that you don’t want them to tell you anything as you don’t want to spoil your surprise but when you get back you can get together and compare notes. Have an amazing time

Honestly, I feel you’re over dramatising, your husband really is
Look at the serious stuff people around you are struggling with, count your blessings and stop ruminating

Oh dear what happens if they have a truly awful experience. I do hope not.

I’m sorry but I hunk this is a little over the top. If you don’t want to advertise your plans then don’t. It’s hardly surprising if you tell people about a wonderful holiday and people think, wow I’d love to do that too. They may not have used your name to get a discount, simply saying I have friends going and how about a discount might have been enough. My friends ask for discounts and upgrades successfully every time. Have a wonderful time and forget any ideas of being miffed.

It just doesn't seem worth getting worked up about really!

Yes, you're being totally unreasonable. You're responsible for your own actions and you don't have to listen to your friends telling you in advance, you can simply say they will spoil it for you and you don't want them to talk about it. They have a perfect right to go on the same cruise ship as you especially as they're keen cruisers, and they're not even going at the same time as you.

I think if your husband is really down about this, there’s a bigger problem lurking with his lack of resilience.

I’m not minimising his feelings; could you encourage him to talk to someone before it spoils other aspects of his life?

Just avoid all contact with them in the time between their holiday and yours. Better still, just tell them that you don't want to know and prefer to reserve judgement for yourselves. Simple.

You are right to be upset. This is a new ship and it is special to you. I would be annoyed too.
My Mum has a friend who has to do everything first- so much so, she never tells her what's she's doing until she's done it. Otherwise, she always manages to pip her at the post. Big or small. Visit to the postal museum or a holiday to Australia. She's there to do it first. Now my mum tells her she doesn't know where she's going as I'm taking her as a surprise !

Rumpunch

You are right to be upset. This is a new ship and it is special to you. I would be annoyed too.
My Mum has a friend who has to do everything first- so much so, she never tells her what's she's doing until she's done it. Otherwise, she always manages to pip her at the post. Big or small. Visit to the postal museum or a holiday to Australia. She's there to do it first. Now my mum tells her she doesn't know where she's going as I'm taking her as a surprise !

It’s not special to them !! It’s a whopping great cruise ship open to anyone who wants to book.

I'd be angry too, and using your booking to get a discount without your knowledge? I'd avoid on a permanent basis.