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Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
#145597
10/05/2017 10:39 AM
10/05/2017 10:39 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
rpacl
OP
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
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Do not charter with the Catamaran Company - www.catamarans.com - they are unethical. In July I put a deposit on a December charter. This trip was a treat to look forward to for my wife who has spent the last 3 months both in the hospital and homebound in a successful battle with breast cancer. When we learned of the devastation of the VI’s we cancelled our vacation knowing that the vacation could not be as we expected it to be when we booked it.. Catamarans took my deposit without providing me with a contract to sign or providing me with any description of their cancellation policy. No contract with Catamarans should mean that we have not agreed to their cancellation policy. Yet they will not return my deposit. I'm not happy.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: warren460]
#145601
10/05/2017 01:36 PM
10/05/2017 01:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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rapcl, you may have a real argument to get your money back. Moorings at least sends out paperwork after a deposit is made with the Terms and conditions that is supposed to be signed and sent back.
I think in regards to Moorings, $400 is very reasonable. They fully refunded charters for those that they couldn't provide boats for, even though I believe their contract states they don't need to and could put the deposit towards a charter at a different time.
These companies have a lost a lot as well and while they may have insurance to cover things, there are limits to that and it probably ends once they have boats available..etc. I don't know that I'd blame any company for charging a cancellation fee (especially one so reasonable) when they can provide a boat.
Matt
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: purplelily]
#145603
10/05/2017 07:16 PM
10/05/2017 07:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
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The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again.
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: HillsideView]
#145604
10/05/2017 07:30 PM
10/05/2017 07:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 152 Encinitas, California
sbrownell
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 152
Encinitas, California
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We had a charter with Virgin Island sailing out of St Thomas booked for Oct 25th. We actually canceled it within our 45 day window to incur a 200 or 300 fee. We were asked, and did keep our deposit (almost 4k) on file with them to use any time in 2018. I couldn't imagine putting that burden on these guys at these times when I know for sure I'm coming back. BVI and the charter companies really do need our support. Just my 2 cents.
Steph
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: HillsideView]
#145606
10/06/2017 05:56 AM
10/06/2017 05:56 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
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HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again. Ditto <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: Winterstale]
#145607
10/06/2017 08:33 AM
10/06/2017 08:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 585 St. Louis
Tackmaster
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 585
St. Louis
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Me Three!! Winterstale said:HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again. Ditto <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: sbrownell]
#145608
10/06/2017 08:44 AM
10/06/2017 08:44 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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sbrownell said: We had a charter with Virgin Island sailing out of St Thomas booked for Oct 25th. We actually canceled it within our 45 day window to incur a 200 or 300 fee. ... BVI and the charter companies really do need our support. Just my 2 cents. Agree. Same situation. We have already re-booked our October 25 VIYC charter to next April.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: aarpskier]
#145609
10/06/2017 10:06 AM
10/06/2017 10:06 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
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In a CatCo theme. We were looking to buy a boat to bareboat and jump back in, knowing a new boat would get a great revenue stream immediately and knowing people will want to return. Catco had a Lagoon 42 available from the factory to BVI in December. It would have been in CatCo's fleet. I could not get a copy of the owners contract and expenses from them, gave up after 3 requests. The boat also had a horrible equipment list, Genset only, no inverter, small battery bank and no solar. Guest would have had to run genset 24/7 which would add to my maintenance cost. The davits were also a step back to the Leopard 4500, which were horrible. when we build Aristo-Cat II, it was built with reducing my maintenance cost and increasing guest experience.
Mike
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: Winterstale]
#145610
10/07/2017 10:25 AM
10/07/2017 10:25 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,482 Williamsville, NY
Dugg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,482
Williamsville, NY
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Quote: HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again.
We're definitely not high maintenance types. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Looking forward to breakfast at Rhymers (who have managed to survive as shown in their video). See you in May. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Peace Dugg and Chris
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom and no shoes, no shirt, and no problems...KC
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: Dugg]
#145611
10/07/2017 10:56 AM
10/07/2017 10:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,610 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,610
Woodstock, GA
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Dugg said: Quote: HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again.
We're definitely not high maintenance types. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Looking forward to breakfast at Rhymers (who have managed to survive as shown in their video). See you in May. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Peace Dugg and Chris Could you post a link to the video?
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#145613
10/07/2017 11:50 AM
10/07/2017 11:50 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,032 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,032
GA/NC
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All the charter companies in the BVI big or small are facing enormous odds as they try and reconstruct their companies. Many of the smaller companies I suspect don't have the cash on hand for refunds. The survival of most charter companies depends on deferring those bookings and retaining the cash. It also depends on getting boat orders. Buyers are going to be reluctant to place a boat order with a company that has a uncertain future. The companies are fully aware of this and will spin things in the best possible light. No one is going to disclose their true financial picture. If you have a favorite company you want to support book a charter with them. They need the bookings and this coming hi season will be critical to survival. Do however take out trip insurance! G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 10/07/2017 11:52 AM.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: RickinAtlanta]
#145614
10/09/2017 11:59 AM
10/09/2017 11:59 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,482 Williamsville, NY
Dugg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,482
Williamsville, NY
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Quote Could you post a link to the video?
Sorry, didn't save a link to the video, which was taken from within Rhymers during Irma through their windows (still intact)! Best video of CGB I've seen (address is too long to post) can be found on Youtube - just look for one titled "My Beautiful Cane Garden Bay". It was taken from a vehicle driving down the street.
Peace Dugg and Chris
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom and no shoes, no shirt, and no problems...KC
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: HillsideView]
#145618
10/10/2017 09:45 AM
10/10/2017 09:45 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318 MD, USA
Dirichlet
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318
MD, USA
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HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again. I've been talking with some of my crew from previous trips. Even though our first charter was in 2009, we are all excited to get back down. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
... DIF all the time...
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: d_fish]
#145619
10/10/2017 02:56 PM
10/10/2017 02:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318 MD, USA
Dirichlet
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318
MD, USA
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d_fish said:..Somewhere along the way Voyage increased their cancellation fee to 20% of the trip fee... That's always been their policy... it wasn't "suddenly" increased. That was the policy in 2014 - I had a two-boat trip and had the other captain pull out. Thankfully, I found a replacement who turned out to be better than the original ever would have been. But, during my panic, I explored all options, and 20% cancellation was one of them. Now, Voyage was very up front that they would be happy to roll the percentage paid (50% at that time) into a charter on a different date, with not penalty / fee. I spoke with the Voyage people at the ABS, and they were very optimistic. Boats are being repaired, new boats are being delivered with many new ones under construction. Give it a little time, and talk (calmly) with their reps about your options.
Last edited by Dirichlet; 10/10/2017 02:57 PM.
... DIF all the time...
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: HillsideView]
#145627
10/11/2017 11:46 AM
10/11/2017 11:46 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 204 Newfoundland, Canada
NewfieSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 204
Newfoundland, Canada
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HillsideView said: The BVI has been pushed back 30 years. It was a special place and time then. High maintenance types and/or those with high/demanding expectations are going to be sorely disappointed. Personally, I can hardly wait to get back. Simple times again. Totally agree! Can't wait to go back.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: Will_L]
#145630
10/11/2017 07:59 PM
10/11/2017 07:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678
An island state of mind
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Will_L said: Thinking Voyage is not on as firm financial footing as TMM and Moorings. That’s likely what the deal is. Will they survive and make good on keeping deposits on charters they cannot fulfil as scheduled? Possibly ..but who knows? My take..if they don’t have a boat available for a scheduled charter and you request a refund for a charter booked during that time..you are entitled to a full refund if you don’t choose to wait until later. It would be wise for these companies to offer 10 days for 7 or a significant discount to book a charter later than scheduled. But not returning deposits on boats not available is unconciounsnable. ..or sign they are financially precarious. The same company if indeed are forcing someone to take a different boat or a different time ..would in no way allow a chartered to change those items a few weeks out. Sorry, but I beg to differ. After talking to the Voyage reps, including the co-owner of the company, at the Annapolis Boat Show, I don't have a problem with their solvency. Obviously, the Moorings has a bigger base to draw from if you want to just be a number. And after talking to TMM, they didn't give a warm fuzzy feeling. In terms of George's beef with Voyage the past few years, he's not even an owner anymore, but obviously an expert, and that's gotten long in the tooth.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: tradewinds]
#145631
10/11/2017 09:08 PM
10/11/2017 09:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA
Will_L
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
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Whoa, may have been wrong. I don’t have a dog in this fight. I know that having had a boat with TMM for many years and knowing Barney Crook, the owner, he was a pioneer of the charter business. I owe them not a thing, nor do they me. Haven’t spoken to them for 4 years. I’m certain the pockets are deep. As is the company behind moorings id guess.
I thought I read a post where voyage was equivocal about refunding money on abooked charter they could not accommodate, if wrong, I’m sorry. If true, that to my mind is unacceptable. I don’t know your interests or George’s. I have ZERO interest in where or if anyone charters a boat. If an airline or a villa or a charter company are not willing to refund monies for a trip this year to the bvi they are greedy or don’t have funds for a refund. Your milage may vary. All good.
I’ve got much more money likely lost in this fiasco that was Irma than you do and guessing much more in contributions to the general funds and people i care about in the BVI. Please don’t lecture those who have invested in boats and property if you have nothing currently at risk.
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Re: Don't charter with the Catamarans Company
[Re: Will_L]
#145635
10/11/2017 11:47 PM
10/11/2017 11:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306 Tustin CA
d_fish
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
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Will_L said: Thinking Voyage is not on as firm financial footing as TMM and Moorings. That’s likely what the deal is. Will they survive and make good on keeping deposits on charters they cannot fulfil as scheduled? Possibly ..but who knows? My take..if they don’t have a boat available for a scheduled charter and you request a refund for a charter booked during that time..you are entitled to a full refund if you don’t choose to wait until later. It would be wise for these companies to offer 10 days for 7 or a significant discount to book a charter later than schedule. But not returning deposits on boats not available is unconciounsnable. ..or sign they are financially precarious. The same company if indeed are forcing someone to take a different boat or a different time ..would in no way allow a chartered to change those items a few weeks out. I tend to agree with the latter part of the statement about returning deposits for a full refund on a charter boat that cannot be delivered. My group does not wish to take a different boat at a different time period. They told me flat out they want to cancel and receive a refund. I cannot change that and why should I convince them otherwise, its their money, their time and their prerogative. They will consider a trip possibly 2 years down the road, but do not wish to leave a substantial deposit on hold with Voyage. Voyage was very vague regarding our options a few weeks ago when I called regarding our trip and deposit. They requested more time to assess even though the rep told me they were down to 6 out of 30 vessels in their fleet and 1 new one on the way for November. I said that even with 7 boats next year they couldn't accommodate all charters in the timeframe we are scheduled, so we would choose a full refund. He said he would notate that on our account and left it at that. So I did not officially request a refund but implied we would like a full refund as the boat we chartered was lost. Yesterday I too received the email thanking their "wonderful clients who have allowed them to postpone their charters and hold their deposits and credit towards future charters" We did not agree to this... now what??? I have not yet requested a refund, but think I will call tomorrow.
Last edited by d_fish; 10/12/2017 12:23 AM.
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