Holiday Abroad in May Booked: What to do?

We have decided against foreign travel for the time being. I’ve never been on a cruise but recently heard an expert describe cruise ships as “floating Petri dishes”!! Put me right off !!

I'm booked to go to canaries at the end of April , I'm staying in a villa so not worried about that but I am bothered about the flight. It's a dilemma

It is quite a dilemma for all.

Stella14, I think you should still go on your trip. In someways you are moving away from it apart from the airports and travel build up areas. You sound like sensible people who will take all the necessary precautions.

We can't live our lives by "what ifs"

I'm due to travel to Tenerife in a couple of weeks and yes I've thought through all the scenarios but, unless directly told not to travel there, then it looks like we'll still go. It is not the same hotel but it is in that area. Do we eat out or eat in? Do we visit markets or not? Yes we are bound to meet people who have been there all the time and have come in close proximity to people in the hotel. My thoughts are that there have been more people who didn't get it than did.

In short I think keep yourself as healthy as possible before travel, take all precautions, and, like I'll likely do on return, keep contact with others low key for a while just in case I'm a carrier.

We could all go at any time for any reason. Just be sensible.

If it is still possible to get the tickets refunded that is what I would do. There is simply no way of knowing whether the airports you will be travelling to and from will be open or not.

I don't see the point of running risks.

Annemac, No, in my view, you are not being paranoid. I think it is foolish for older people, or those with relevant health conditions to book for June, or indeed, any time before the end of August.

Thanks Stella14, I just think right now it's a wait and see. We usually go to a Turkey and book in January but I haven't been well so haven't done it yet. I read today that Turkey are not allowing in flights from Italy,China and a few other countries where the virus is high. Maybe not long before they include the UK. I think our PM should be thinking along those lines too. If a Turkey can do it why can't we?

We too are due to travel to the Canaries this month, to a hotel only 1km from the one that has been quarantined. I’m more concerned about the flight in terms of exposure to the virus but even more concerned about the possibility of being confined to a hotel room for two weeks. Still trying to decide whether to chance it or cancel and loose the money.

My best friend has booked a holiday in June and they are going to see if they can postpone it to later in the year as they have already out a 700 deposit down and if they cancel they will loose it

Flaxwoven, why not postpone your holiday until we get the 'all clear'?
Flossieflyby, I hadn't thought about the insurance issue, thanks.

Hi all, similar dilemma as am booked to go to Fuerteventura next Friday and am most worried about the airport at either end as I am 64 with Type 2 Diabetes.
Haven't cancelled yet as was going with my daughter and she is going to see if she can persuade a friend to take my place; all the family are advising against me going and at least then it wouldn't be a complete waste of money...

I agree with Evianers, go. My husband's sister lives in Johannesburg and we have visited SA six times and stayed in the Kruger twice. It is not in the middle of nowhere and their health system is excellent. On our second visit my husband had sinus problems and needed to see a doctor. His sister rang her doctor, got an appointment the same day and his prescription was a fraction of the cost at home.

The supermarkets over there have wipes for trolley handles and most of the country is spotless.

I returned from Australia a few weeks ago, with lots of people wearing masks.
I am booked to go back at the end of April. I’m 80, so one of the ‘oldies’ supposedly at higher risk. However my general health is good, and if I’ve got to die, I would rather it be quickly from ‘flu than lingeringly from dementia. The trip is so that I can be on the spot for the birth of my son’s and dil’s first baby. I’m not going to allow fear of catching the virus to get in the way of that. I just hope that they don’t cancel the flight.
If it was just a regular holiday I would defer booking. If I already had tickets I would probably just go for it, and hope for the best. It depends just how much more serious it becomes.

We have three dogs and a cat which go into kennels whilst we are away. If we are delayed returning home it would cause problems and of course there would be extra expense.
We are waiting things out at present.

DH is now on antibiotics, we are due to fly to Canaries Wednesday, DD says we should cancel as we both have Asthma normally anyway
Dr was noncommital.
What happens if we have to self isolate over there and we over run on the dates? Will we have to move out of the house we have rented? DD says we will have to sleep on the beach! I don’t think she wants us to go. But no chance of getting any money back now.

GreenGran, the problem with ‘wait and see if it gets worse’ approach is that, once the balance of the trip becomes view, the entire cost of the holiday is lost, so the decision needs to be made, usually 11-weeks before the date of the holiday.

Like Sodapop, we have dogs, cats and in our case, chickens and fish, so if our return home is delayed, it has implications beyond what is happening to us.

To those who have posted in praise of South Africa and the Kruger area, I’m with you. I have been been before. I know health care and services are good. We’re not so much concerned about being there. Our concern is about being with, and passing thousands of people in Heathrow and Johannesburg airports and fewer, but still plenty in regional airports in the UK and in South Africa. Not to mention two short flights, plus a 12 hour flight in the way out, and the same on the return leg. We will go, just not in May.

Today I managed to push back the flights and most other arrangements to the 28th August. I’m just waiting to hear from the Safari Lodge. This saves losing a fair bit of money. There are just a few admin fees for each of us.

Glad you have made a decision to suit you and not at a great monetary loss. On that basis you have made the right choice.

I have a flight to Texas booked for Tuesday ( to see son and family). I’m only worried that we won’t be able to go or once there won’t be able to return. I’m not an anxious person and don’t worry about getting the virus.
We are also going to Paris in April ( for DH to run the marathon), to Berlin in May, Majorca in June and a big family holiday in Santorini in July. I wouldn’t dream of cancelling and will take the consequences if I’m being foolish.

Go and enjoy it. Live your lives.

Flygirl, I am planning to live my life. That’s why I’m not going until this virus that attacks the lungs settles down

I have pushed the booking back to the end of August when it should have mostly run it’s course.

We’re booked to go to Spain in June, but have got to pay the balance at the end of March. I am concerned about travelling now. If I hadn’t already booked it I wouldn’t go.
But reading all the comments, paying on my credit card might be the way to pay. I usually just pay with my debit card. ???

Jennyluck, your credit card won’t cover it I’m afraid. You are only covered (if your payment is over £100) for goods or services that are not provided, or are faulty. If you choose not to go, the service is still available to you. I would have left m6 decision longer if it were feasible, but once the finally balance becomes due, you lose the whole cost of the entire trip.

If you have a holiday booked get Travel Insurance NOW! Keep monitoring the Foreign Office website as they will advise on different destinations. You can always go another holiday later if possible, but I wouldn't go against FCO advice.

I’m going on the Orient Express with my daughter on 17th April, GW to Venice, a long planned trip, but short. Just arranged insurance, no problem and they reassured me. Will have to see how things go of course. My daughter is cabin crew long haul, so hope she’s ok...
I’m not watching the news as it depresses me, but will take action if advised.

I would normally book a long haul holiday in May, for various reasons I haven’t this year and don’t intend to fly anywhere until this scare is over

If I had paid the deposit I would hold off paying the full cost as long as possible, a lot of travelers are going to do that. We can expect the Corona virus to get worse before it gets better and travel advice may well be very restrictive by May.

Off on a safari holiday to Kenya on Monday.
It’s the airports and aircraft that we will be cautious about, but absolutely carry on. I will not sit around and wait and see.