Anglo Welsh. Back in November I booked a week in May from their Bath base, paid £336 deposit, for our annual lads’ trip (45th one!). Of six crew, 3 are over eighty (2 of whom are now classed as critically vulnerable to covid), one youngster in his fifties is similarly classed due to a heart condition though a mere sixty. The two others could well survive the trip, up Caen Hill and onward a bit, then return. Then covid struck and the pubs and restaurants were shut. This would mean considerable problems for us. So I told Anglo Welsh by email that we wished to cancel and due to our particular circumstances requested return of my deposit. Response came there none. Then canal travel was stopped anyway. So I asked again for my deposit and received an identical response.
What is on offer from Anglo Welsh is deferment. In other words they assume your dates are flexible and they decide to defer, we don’t. Meanwhile they retain the deposit. At some future date, possibly next year, if our gallant crew survive intact and if Anglo Welsh do not go bust meantime, we will presumably be told we can book again. We may be in no condition to do so.
I am not asking anyone to support my position on this or otherwise. I am just saying beware of hiring until there is some certainty that you will be able to have your trip when you want it and before you die.