trip canceled

Myheart'sinSTJ · Post by **Myheart'sinSTJ** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:28 pm

sorry GeckoBob, now that I read the entire thread I know who you used for your insurance and will definitely not give them my business. Did you contact the owners of the villa that you were going to rent to see if they were willing to re-schedule? Maybe they would do so if it is off season, it's work a try. Good luck.

GeckoBob · Post by **GeckoBob** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:18 pm

The first thing we did was contacted Viva to reschedule our trip for another time. They told us that they had to contact the owner, and he said NO! We were going to stay at Reef Madness.

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:20 pm

Sorry for your problems. It seems to me that if you and or your property have been threatened and you have police proof of such this should be covered. Can you produce written proof regarding the investigation and threats to CSA. They shouldn't cut you off so quickly.
Anthony is usually pretty good about the companies he has advertise here.

Myheart'sinSTJ · Post by **Myheart'sinSTJ** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:23 pm

That's very sad they could not work with, you know, "life happens" and one would think there would be some flexibility and review each situation on an individual basis, I wouldn't have the heart to keep someone's hard earned money, I will certainly think twice before I ever consider to rent "Reef Madness".

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:31 pm

Reef Madness is a wonderful villa and Randy and Marcia are wonderful people. Having a rental villa on STJ is extremely demanding and costly and at short notice it is very difficult to re rent and who knows how many guests the had refused for that week.

I feel for all involved but I think it unfair for other members to "bash" (to strong of a word but can't think of a substitute right now) Reef Madness and to not consider it for a future rental.

Pia

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:11 pm

I'm with Pia. There's no need to put the blame on the owners of Reef Madness. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they did not get the full story.
I would stay at Reef Madness in a heartbeat if I needed to rent in the Coral Bay area. There have nothing but positive reviews.

Myheart'sinSTJ · Post by **Myheart'sinSTJ** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:59 pm

Pia-Obviously summertime is off-season and it would be the right thing to do to offer someone an alternate week (in off season) if there was one available, maybe I jumped the gun when I said I would never consider renting there, it looks like a beautiful home and we all don't know the full story either but I am entitled to write what I feel and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

GeckoBob · Post by **GeckoBob** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:07 pm

My wife and I are not "bashing" anybody. People on the forum were asking questions, and we answered them the best we knew how. Reef Madness, from the pictures, we saw has to be a great villa to stay. We read Randy and Marsha's blog on the constuction of Reef madness and can't imagine what they went thru to have it built. My wife and I talked about our trip at length, and decided to cancel cause we couldn't go on vacation and leave him here at home dealing with everything on his own. He needed our support and we couldn't go to St. John for 8 days and try to have a good time, knowing what he is going thru. We are looking forward to anpther trip to St. John in the future. But also, taking a monetary hit like we did is tough to handle. I retired from a major midwest utility company last year and this was going to be a celebratory trip.

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:52 am

Gecko stated the villa name in the original post on the thread, while still waiting to hear back from CSA.

I understand their disappointment, and the pain of the financial hit involved.

In my opinion, the subsequent criticism of Reef Madness' owners, the villa management company, and of CSA travel insurance are unwarranted. None of them violated their policies, in letter or in intent, in this case.

The OP had to make a heart wrenching decision that, due to it's extreme personal nature, can't be second guessed. Unfortunately, the timing left them holding the bag, so to speak. Had there been more time to do so, I'm sure that Viva would have tried to secure replacement occupancy, in which case they would have likely offered compensation in the form of a future booking.

I doubt that CSA is alone among the travel insurance companies in denying claims that are beyond the scope of their coverage.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:54 am

augie wrote:Gecko stated the villa name in the original post on the thread, while still waiting to hear back from CSA.

I understand their disappointment, and the pain of the financial hit involved.

In my opinion, the subsequent criticism of Reef Madness' owners, the villa management company, and of CSA travel insurance are unwarranted. None of them violated their policies, in letter or in intent, in this case.

The OP had to make a heart wrenching decision that, due to it's extreme personal nature, can't be second guessed. Unfortunately, the timing left them holding the bag, so to speak. Had there been more time to do so, I'm sure that Viva would have tried to secure replacement occupancy, in which case they would have likely offered compensation in the form of a future booking.

I doubt that CSA is alone among the travel insurance companies in denying claims that are beyond the scope of their coverage.

What he said!

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:55 am

Myheart'sinSTJ wrote:That's very sad they could not work with, you know, "life happens" and one would think there would be some flexibility and review each situation on an individual basis, I wouldn't have the heart to keep someone's hard earned money, I will certainly think twice before I ever consider to rent "Reef Madness".

You might if you needed it to pay the mortgage, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc., etc., etc.

Randy in MD · Post by **Randy in MD** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:59 am

GeckoBob...

I'm Randy, the owner of Reef Madness...

When I was informed by VIVA that you had to cancel your trip , my first thought was "how awful for you", and I was told that you had trip insurance and that would cover your loss.

I was never asked if I would consider letting you change your dates, so I didn't say "NO" to anything.

This happend to another of our guests last year and we made alternative arrangements...

I'm thinking there must be some miscommunication between you and VIVA or VIVA and me...

In any event, I'm certainly willing to work with you...

Please PM me here or e-mail me directly at reefmadnessvilla@comcast.net

Hope your situation at home is resolved peacefully...

HughA · Post by **HughA** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:34 pm

Wow! What a great response. Just what we expect from St. John.
Good luck to all.

GeckoBob · Post by **GeckoBob** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:32 pm

Randy, Thank you ever so much for responding on the forum. I sent you an e-mail and we are sure our situation can be worked out to everyones satisfaction. Again thank you GeckoBob

Myheart'sinSTJ · Post by **Myheart'sinSTJ** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:40 pm

yay, yay, yay, excellent ending, kudos for Randy, happy for Bob.

usvi-on-line

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trip canceled