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Re: Great News
[Re: bailau]
#229878
07/15/2020 12:53 PM
07/15/2020 12:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,807 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,807
Central Florida!
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Yes, virtually all islands I think are now imposing some restrictions, depending on where the traveler is coming from and many are requiring negative PCR tests. And some that initially opened without restrictions are now imposing restrictions.
Carol Hill
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Re: Great News
[Re: bailau]
#229880
07/15/2020 01:09 PM
07/15/2020 01:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398 Virgin Gorda, BVI
VirginGordaResident
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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It would be good to know if any of the local businesses will be open during September (if this is true) or will wait as they have historically done until the 2nd week of October...if it is true AND businesses will be open would be tempted to go out a month early
And I would agree with Carol and still need to see what stipulations are put on passengers coming and going.... Oil Nut Bay is still planning on an October 1st opening date. But we have still not heard any official word from the government...
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Re: Great News
[Re: RatmansWife]
#229884
07/15/2020 01:47 PM
07/15/2020 01:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398 Virgin Gorda, BVI
VirginGordaResident
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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Never heard the charter companies were told they had to discontinue operations. As noted above, the question is who will be allowed in and under what conditions. Will they allow anyone in as before? Call me skeptical. This is a good point. MarineMax could probably already be performing charter operations? Lots of other charter companies are running "Staycaytion" deals right now for people in the BVI. The real question is will tourists be allowed to come in and if so what will the restrictions be. Fingers crossed for more news on Thursday.
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Re: Great News
[Re: RatmansWife]
#229888
07/15/2020 02:06 PM
07/15/2020 02:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Never heard the charter companies were told they had to discontinue operations. As noted above, the question is who will be allowed in and under what conditions. Will they allow anyone in as before? Call me skeptical. I would assume they had to discontinue operations when boating was prohibited during the stricter curfew. I think boats have only been allowed to move since 4 June.
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Re: Great News
[Re: Fun in the sun]
#229902
07/15/2020 05:22 PM
07/15/2020 05:22 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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I know the BVI gets visitors from all over, but I wonder what percentage from the US? I imagine US residents will be prevented from flying in with the current state of things. I hope we'll be able to go, as we want to get down to our boat ASAP.
Matt
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Re: Great News
[Re: bailau]
#229928
07/16/2020 08:30 AM
07/16/2020 08:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,807 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,807
Central Florida!
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Most are taking 7 days here in Florida. If there is a test requirement, it depends on whether the test AND result have to be within a certain period, or only the result received within a certain period. My understanding is that Aruba is requiring test AND result within 72 hours and the CURRENT rule for SXM (which could change, as they have changed things about 5 times already) is that only the RESULT has to be within 72 hours.
Carol Hill
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Re: Great News
[Re: Fun in the sun]
#229930
07/16/2020 09:03 AM
07/16/2020 09:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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We're looking at a new cancellation policy for villa stays - full refund within 60 days of travel and within 60 days the ability to rebook for up to two years for the same season, subject to availability, if either the country of residence or BVI blocks travel due to Covid. What do you think?
GordaGuy2
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Re: Great News
[Re: gordaguy2]
#229933
07/16/2020 09:22 AM
07/16/2020 09:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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We're looking at a new cancellation policy for villa stays - full refund within 60 days of travel and within 60 days the ability to rebook for up to two years for the same season, subject to availability, if either the country of residence or BVI blocks travel due to Covid. What do you think? Seems good but how will you define blocked? If there is a 72 hour negative test requirement to enter and a guest doesn't get it in time will you let them reschedule 2 days before their planned arrival? There is a women on the STT facebook forum who wants to reschedule her trip that starts on Sunday because 1 person out of 8 has tested positive. Technically, someone in the group is blocked from travel because they are positive but is it fair for the captain, charter company, and boat owner to lose revenue 4 days from the reservation start? They certainly won't fill the boat with such short notice. How do you handle that? I'd like to do something similar but am struggling with the verbiage.
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Re: Great News
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#229945
07/16/2020 10:17 AM
07/16/2020 10:17 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,666 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,666
Memphis, BVI, CT
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Jason, was the person who tested positive named on the reservation? If not, how would one even know if the claim is true?
I would say if either the origin country or the BVI blocks travel, or the person named on the reservation tests positive. Reason being, what if they book a ticket through SXM or somewhere that blocks entry, that shouldn't be your problem, anymore than the guest's relative gets Covid. That's what trip insurance is for.
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Re: Great News
[Re: RatmansWife]
#229947
07/16/2020 10:22 AM
07/16/2020 10:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Jason, was the person who tested positive named on the reservation? If not, how would one even know if the claim is true?
I would say if either the origin country or the BVI blocks travel, or the person named on the reservation tests positive. Reason being, what if they book a ticket through SXM or somewhere that blocks entry, that shouldn't be your problem, anymore than the guest's relative gets Covid. That's what trip insurance is for. It was a child so I doubt they would have been named. Interestingly, the poster had insurance that would have refunded 75% but she was beating up the charter company because she wanted a full credit to rebook later. I have an issue with the timing of only 4 days notice. They were planning to not bring the infected person but she thought the other guests being exposed (but negative) should be reason enough to rebook.
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Re: Great News
[Re: Fun in the sun]
#229950
07/16/2020 10:57 AM
07/16/2020 10:57 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,368 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,368
Washington DC
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Maybe there can be an extra charge to clients if they want flexibility...Moorings seems to be doing that but that would certainly be overridden by BVI mandated negative testing within a period (e.g. 72 hours) since their policy gives you flexibility > 14 days if you pay the fee.... https://www.moorings.com/book-with-confidenceGorda Guy, do you mean "full refund OUTSIDE 60 days of travel and within 60 days....."? Would it make sense to offer a choice > 60 days and try and entice the guests to take the credit instead of refund. As an example Stubhub originally offered full refund or a 120% credit. Maybe an extra night free or a coupon for free dinner or something else? So outside of 60 days you could get refund or credit for stay +1 day as an example? I am just trying to think through what might help with the "stickiness" of the guests and preserve cash in your coffers....
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Re: Great News
[Re: bagsarepacked]
#229996
07/17/2020 10:07 AM
07/17/2020 10:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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Thanks - trying to find a way to alay people's fear of booking in advance - the islands need guests to come in so important for us to facilitate travel.
GordaGuy2
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Re: Great News
[Re: ScottW]
#230033
07/17/2020 02:59 PM
07/17/2020 02:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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Agree - maybe well just have to wait out Covid 19 though I am sure some people want to get out of their countries.
GordaGuy2
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Re: Great News
[Re: bailau]
#230034
07/17/2020 03:00 PM
07/17/2020 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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Thanks - greater than 60 days full refund (that's how we normally do it) less than 60 days the ability to rebook for the future up to two years same season.
GordaGuy2
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Re: Great News
[Re: RatmansWife]
#230036
07/17/2020 03:03 PM
07/17/2020 03:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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"Traveler R Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 781 Memphis, BVI, CT Sounds fair. Instead of rebook for the same season, maybe a full credit toward a future stay. That way you don't end up in a big discussion over whether a month later is the same season or not." Good point
GordaGuy2
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Re: Great News
[Re: sleepychef]
#230085
07/18/2020 12:39 PM
07/18/2020 12:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
sisterblysse
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
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Just spoke with a Minister today looking like Sept 1st will be when people on work permits willbe admitted, no way they are allowing tourists in from the US till the situation is under control in the US, this is directly from a Goverment Minister Tourists come from elsewhere in the world other than the United States. Did your minister friend have a view about tourists from the EU and UK, by any chance? We had three trips out to the BVI booked this year. (Top Tip- don't put all your vacation eggs in one basket....) I would think that arrival with a negative test, and selective opening to the yachting sector where social distancing is are possible and probable, and requirements to wear masks ashore would be a safe middle ground... However, if the BVI can economically sustain the current position, tourists may not be back until after the 'second-spike' phase that most countries are going through has passed. See you next year, maybe....
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Re: Great News
[Re: sleepychef]
#230183
07/20/2020 12:00 PM
07/20/2020 12:00 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398 Virgin Gorda, BVI
VirginGordaResident
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 398
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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Just spoke with a Minister today looking like Sept 1st will be when people on work permits willbe admitted, no way they are allowing tourists in from the US till the situation is under control in the US, this is directly from a Goverment Minister Interesting. I assume Work Permit holders will need to undergo the 2-week government quarantine still. Did you hear anything regarding that?
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