I've been hiding in the dark for a little while and was hoping to come out a little closer to my vacation date (March 20). But had a family emergency (In mid-January my mother's lung cancer took a wrong turn and she was given 4 months to live). Believing it was my responsibility to help care for her and feeling awkward about leaving the country with her in this condition, I had to cancel my first trip to Bonaire. This was also going to be my families and my first dive vacation. Well I just got certified in July 2001 and my better half and daughters do not dive. So it's my first dive vacation and they were hoping to share the experience.

Well now to the issue. The Bonaire lodging company whom I booked everything through has mentioned charging me a 20% cancellation fee for the room and $75.00 per ticket for the AJ airfare, which they have the right to do. Am I being unreasonable asking if they will waive these penalties if I agree to rebook the vacation with them after my family and I attend to our responsibilities with my mom? Any advice how I can appeal to their softer side? I'm not asking for a refund only the opportunity to rebook for a future date without penalty.

I feel a little funny sharing this with so many strangers but I've notice how helpful you are to everyone on this site and since you're a little more knowledgeable of life on Bonaire, I was hoping for direction.

Thanks,
Pat

Pat , so sorry to hear of your mothers' misfortune. And you are right to be upset with the above problems. Not that it will help this time , unless you find a very sympathatic person to deal with, but next time get trip insurance. even if you have a flat tire on the way to the airport and miss the last possible plane out, you will be covered for all possible charges. The only reason you would be charged is if you told them you just decided NOT to go. I truly hope everything works out the best possible way for you and your family.

The problem for the tour operator is that the hotel is charging them the cancellation fee. They might be able to work with the hotel to apply your cancellation fee as a deposit to your next visit. It doesn't hurt to ask.

AirJamaica is charging the $75 change fees. I don't know of anyway around that one unless you go direct to AirJamaica and can get some sympathy. Travel agents and tour operators can't waive the fee, only the airline itself. You would have to have new travel dates planned already when asking them to waive the fee.

Pat - SO sorry to hear about your problem.
Sometimes, if you can get a note from the doctor, the airline will re-imburse the $75 fee. That said, it does have to be a refundable ticket.
I had to cancel our Bonaire trip due to my surgery last month, Caradonna Tours is now working to see if I can get our $75 per ticket returned from Air Jamaica. Be warned, it doesn't happen fast. Trip Insurance is always a good idea when you have to put money 'up front' and can't really 'throw that money away'.

The hotel - I would work with them direct to see if they would apply the cancellation fee towards a deposit on a future date. But I would have a date in mind when I talked to them.

How do you go about gitting trip insurance? I know I've run into it, but don't remember where.

Thanks for the help folks. I heard from the agency late yesterday and they were discussing my problem. Haven't heard back from them yet. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.

Freddie, I like your idea and have purchased it when offered in the past, but they didn't offer it and I have the same question Jean has about the purchasing outside the company you are dealing with. I'll remember in the future to ask.

Your right Peggy, things don't happen fast. But if the results arein my favor I don't mind. I'll let them hold the money until I'm able to reschedule any way. It's like having a prepaid vacation. My family and I are coming to Bonaire some day, just not sure when. If it doesn't work in my favor I'll consider it a lesson learned and excercise my option to use a different company in the future. Either way I hope to see you soon in Bonaire.

My posting on this board has also resulted in an email from Tourism Corporation Bonaire asking to keep them posted.

Thanks everyone,

Pat

Pat, I went to the PADI site and they have trip insurance, actually two different types; Single trip and single trip lite. You may have to surf around the site a bit to find it but it looks like it may be what you are looking for. Sorry I can't provide a direct link for you. Good luck with everything. Freddie

Sorry to hear of your troubles Pat.
Interestingly, here in the UK we can't book a package holiday without taking out travel insurance. Until recently, our Travel Agents were able to insist that "we" took out their own insurance policy, which was obviously open to abuse on their behalf as they could (& did) sell us any cover they chose, for any price that took their fancy. Mercifully, whilst it's still compulsory for us to have this insurance, we can please ourselves where we get it from. Marcia's & mine for example, is a "husband & wife" policy that costs us about US$140 ($70 each). It runs for a year. We can take as many trips in the 12 month period as we like & it even covers us for winter sports & diving (with a few restrictions to depth & qualifications etc). In the bad old days it wasn't uncommon for us to be charged $70 each, with less cover, for a single long haul trip.
Not often things change for the better, eh?

Hello, Pat. So sorry to hear about your Mom. I do hope things work out well for her and for you. I just wanted to give you the name and number of another Trip/Travel Insurance/Protection company to contact, if you'd like (for future trips). I have used them twice in the past. It is: Access America and their number is 1-800-284-8300. They are a part of World Access Corporation in Richmond, Virginia Address is PO Box 90315, Richmond, Va. 23230-9315; FAX 1-804-673-1491.

Website is at www.worldaccess.com &/or www.accessamerica.com

I hope this is helpful to you for future trips. It is well worth the expense to have this coverage...believe me....we had to cancel our very first trip to Bonaire as my appendix ruptured one week prior to departure in 1999! (We did make it there in 2000 and fell in love with Bonaire) Full refunds for me and my husband. I hope the airline and the hotel work with you on your deposits. I have found that Air Jamaica DOES work with you IF you get through to the right office in New York City. Ask the AJ reservations repr for the Special Groups number in NYC and see what they can do for you. I would think they would at least give you credit for the next flight with them, under the circumstances. Good luck and our prayers are with you for you and your Mom. Carole

Just want to thank everyone for the help and information so far. I've since heard about the airfare and I was lucky enough to get in under the wire. So that was a significant savings. Will here from the company on approximately 2/179 about the condo. The lady I'm working with was luck enough to go on holiday and will return then.