AIBU - Friends have booked same holiday

I read it, thinking with horror that they had booked the same dates. I can’t see the problem. Avoid seeing them for a few weeks before you go if it really bothers him.

I think you need to give these 'friends' a bit bit of space if that's the effect their (admittedly a little bizarre and presumptuous) have on you.

I think your husband is being unreasonable. If you'd known what your friends were intending, think how silly it would sound - sorry, you can't go on that holiday until we've been.

A bit puzzled by this, it’s a cruise, there will be thousands of people on it before you. Just don’t see them before you go/after they come back.

The reaction from your husband is bizarre.

Yes a bit annoying. But some people have no original ideas of their own. Just make it politely clear that you don't want to hear anything in advance about the trip as you want it to be a surprise. In fact, maybe say you'd prefer to meet up after you've both had your holiday so you can compare notes without bring influenced by each other.

Go and enjoy your holiday. Keep away from them till you get back and be careful in future what you tell them. Some people have no imagination or ideas of their own . It could be illegal to use your name to get discount and I would not like my name being used without my permission.

Perhaps your husbands other problems are making him take this out of proportion. Maybe it would help if you tackled the root cause of those problems.

Forget about your friends and enjoy looking forward to your holiday.

I really don’t understand why you’re upset. It seems petty. If they’d booked the same dates as you, I’d get it, but who cares if they’re going on another date. Be grateful you don’t have more important things to be stressed about.

OP

Did you know they would use your reservation to save money?

Im with Calendargirl. I don't think I'd be too chuffed if they used my name without permission to get themselves a discount. It might also be a Data Protection issue if they used your details and you did not know. In future I'd be very guarded about telling them anything.

Little point being annoyed about something you have no control over.
I wouldn't be bothered and my husband certainly would not care he leaves the holiday planning to me. He hasn't got time to worry or be annoyed about the small stuff puts all his energy in getting his work and employees ready for him not being there
I really can't understand how this would spoil the holiday

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I guess that you really sold it to them. I would not meet up until you return. Have a great trip.

It is what it is. Your friends sound a little thick skinned but I’m sure they did not mean to upset you although perhaps a little naughty to use your name to get a reduction. That aside you really cannot allow this to spoil your holiday. It will still be fresh and exciting as you have never been before and we all experience things differently. If you look for bad you will find it.

I too thought you were going to say they were going the same dates as you, and that could have been irritating.
But I really fail to see the problem, just go and enjoy it, I’m sure many people would be only too happy to have this little problem if it meant they were to enjoy a luxury holiday.

It was you who told them how good it looked. I think your husband is being very childish, these are supposed to be your friends. I would be pleased if they had booked something I recommended.

They will be able to tell you any negatives and things to avoid.

Holidays bookings are open to the world and his dog; anyone can go, at any time. I could understand you being miffed if they'd booked the same weeks as you and asked for adjoining cabins but they're going a month before you! Perhaps it would be best in future if you didn't discuss you holiday plans with anyone; that way you'll have exclusivity. Or maybe not.

Life’s too short to worry about such a thing, surely?

Goodness me! How dare people book a cruise on the same ship as you , and before you. Perhaps they didn’t want to be on the ship at the same time as you.
We cruised with the same couple for years until they decided we were booking too early in the year for them , so they went on their own. This year they’ve gone even earlier in the year than us , with another couple they met on their last cruise.
I think they decided they’d had enough of us ?
It’s their holiday so it’s their choice.

Shouldn't you be the ones getting a voucher for recommending the cruise to someone?

You’re husbands livid because someone’s going before him a bit of an alpha make attitude but I can understand that it probably took the shine of a new activity

My friend used to go regularly on holiday with friends but on one occasion decided they want a lone holiday but had mentioned in conversation that they were going to such and such on (date) nothing at all was said apart from ‘hope you have a great time’ Months passed and it was never mentioned
On the given day they went to a small local airport to await their flight and looking up saw said couple also there !
With great surprise they said ‘oh my goodness what a coincidence where are you off to?’ the same country name was given ‘noooo’ says my friend, what resort? and they named the same resort and then the same hotel. My friend was gobsmacked and after that holiday the friendship was never the same and petered out so they now no longer speak

Shelmiss

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all - I’d be livid!

Why ? What’s the big deal? They’re not going at the same time, they are perfectly entitled to choose whatever holiday they want.

I understand how you feel.

We had a couple book the exact same holiday as us earlier this year. I have posted about this previously. We had booked last summer for a holiday in February 2022. I purposely didn't tell them as we had been on holiday with them before and I prefer to go as a couple.

They found out we were going on holiday (without them ) and booked the exact same holiday - without asking if we minded.

I suppose Lizzy you are lucky that you are not going on the same dates.

On the one hand, you could agree not to see the couple until after you return from your cruise, so that it doesn't spoil your new experience. I imagine this would only be a couple of weeks.

On the other hand, as other posters have said, they might be able to give you some useful tips.

I don't think you ABU. It is hard not to discuss plans with friends. I want to book a holiday for later this year but haven't done it yet as I don't want to tell the other couple and I am not a very good liar.

You say they ‘used your booking to get a discount to match yours?’

If by that you mean they used your names as a recommendation, and you were not aware of that, then no, I think that is not right.

Sounds a bit underhand, as though they didn’t want to tell you about it until the deed was done.

Words fail me.
Friends going on same holiday as us and husband is Floored

I thought the point would be that they were going the same time as you; really can't see why you are upset that they are going before you, or is it a desperate competition to be 'different'?
In that case, why tell them about it?