
“Would have left zero stars if we could.”
A British couple seeking a relaxing Caribbean getaway found themselves in an unexpected all-inclusive experience after a holiday booking mishap landed them in Guantanamo Bay detention center for two weeks.
John and Sandra Wilkins, both 57, had booked what they believed was a luxury adults-only resort in Cuba, only to be escorted upon arrival to a “secure facility with 24/7 supervision, meal plans, and unique orange robes.”
“We thought the high walls were for privacy,” Sandra said.
“The welcome party was a bit much, though.”
A Unique Holiday Experience
According to the couple, the airport transfer seemed normal, aside from the blindfolds and zip ties applied during the ride. John described the “check-in process” as thorough, saying he had never had such “intimate luggage inspections” before.
“We kept asking when happy hour was, but they just kept shouting at us in different languages.”
The couple’s itinerary included:
✅ Water activities (but only supervised hydration)
✅ Complimentary wake-up calls (every two hours, often with shouting)
✅ Daily exercise (brisk marching and stress positions)
✅ Themed entertainment (“Enhanced Interrogation” night)
Refund Issued, but No Compensation for ‘Trauma’
After two weeks, the mistake was finally acknowledged when a hotel staff member noticed the couple weren’t supposed to be on the list of “special guests.”
The holiday company has since issued a full refund, stating:
“We deeply regret the inconvenience and have refunded their package in full, minus taxes and surcharges. We hope they will consider booking with us again in the future.”
John and Sandra, however, remain unconvinced.
“We expected to be pampered, not to be repeatedly questioned about our connections to known insurgents.”
Despite the ordeal, the couple did find one silver lining:
“The food wasn’t actually that bad.”
🚀 Rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆ (Would not recommend, unless you’re into extreme minimalism.)
This is satire, of course. The real world is nothing like that…
But if you want to see how things actually work, here are some totally real, absolutely normal links that inspired this story:
Mistakes in travel bookings can lead to travelers ending up in unintended destinations, sometimes with significant consequences.
Real-World Examples:
- Australian Couple’s World Cup Mishap: An Australian couple aiming to attend the World Cup in Salvador, Brazil, mistakenly found themselves in San Salvador, El Salvador, due to a travel agent’s error. thepointsguy.com
- Traveler’s Wrong Country Experience: A traveler recounted flying to the wrong country, realizing the mistake only after a 14-hour journey. escape.com.au
Common Causes of Such Errors:
- Booking Mistakes: Errors by travel agents or travelers, such as confusing similarly named destinations, can lead to significant detours.
- Technical Glitches: Online booking system errors can result in incorrect reservations, emphasizing the need for travelers to verify their bookings. linkedin.com
Preventive Measures:
- Confirm Details: Travelers should double-check all booking information, including destination names and accommodation details, to ensure accuracy.
- Use Reputable Agencies: Booking through established and reliable travel agencies can reduce the risk of errors.thetimes.co.uk
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance can provide a safety net in case of booking mistakes or unforeseen issues.
These incidents highlight the importance of meticulous planning and verification in travel arrangements to avoid unexpected and potentially costly detours.