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Change in plans……..

Posted By: pat

Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 05:31 PM

It’s always good to have a trip to SXM in the planning stages and even better to have two on the books, which is where I thought we were. However, life has a way of throwing you curves and you just have to deal with them.

On Thursday we were forced to cancel our April trip. It was a miserable decision to have to make but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. This would have been a significant trip for us marking our fiftieth consecutive year of visiting our favorite island. But the good news - we do have November on the books.

Now, for the rest of the story. Tracy Mascarin of Beachside Villas was wonderful. She called me back almost immediately after receiving my phone message and worked out our arrangements to our mutual satisfaction. I had just sent my final payment the week before. But she handled everything beautifully. It truly pays to deal with reputable people and the Mascarins certainly are. Over the years I’ve dealt with some who weren’t as honorable or understanding.

Lesley Bruce of Kenny’s car Rental and Jeannie Gee were both sympathetic and understanding as was our local limo driver.

Jet Blue? Not so much! But we finally got it done and received full refunds to our points and travel bank. FYI, I tried to cancel on line and got almost through the process and hit a system error. Twice! Finally in frustration I called JB who said if I asked them to do it - there was a $25.00 fee per person per ticket to have them do it but the attitude of the agent pi$$ed me off so I hung up and tried unsuccessfully one more time. In desperation I called JB again and got a pleasant reservationist who did the job, no charge. She also told me the other JB agent had the option to not charge for canceling but he was being a bugger! Shame on him!

So to all of you visiting SXM in early April, and particularly the lucky ones who end up in #14 BSV, I wish you a wonderful stay. Enjoy your time. And OURS!! 😊😊
Posted By: ruralcarrier

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 05:35 PM

Glad you got things resolved. A tough call for sure but hopefully Nov. will work out for you and John.
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 05:44 PM

SO sorry you had to cancel. Glad you were able to get everything resolved, but so sorry you had to do it. Take care.
Posted By: The_Lurker

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 06:56 PM

You both will be missed!!

Wishes for all to work out--- and we will all be looking forward to seeing you in November.
Posted By: islandgem

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 07:03 PM

Cancelling is never a fun experience, but glad to hear your problems were all resolved to your satisfaction. Hope you are both keeping well and will be able to enjoy SXM in November.
Posted By: SXMScubaman

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 07:06 PM

"It’s always good to have a trip to SXM in the planning stages and even better to have two on the books, which is where I thought we were. However, life has a way of throwing you curves and you just have to deal with them."
I know how that feels. We had 2 trips planned 4 years ago and had to cancell both due to Covid travel restrictions to SXM. We are repeatring those same 2 trips this May and July God willing.
Posted By: jazzgal

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 07:23 PM

I'm so sorry you had to cancel, Pat. Best wishes to both you and John (not Kim's father).
Posted By: kim

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/09/2024 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by jazzgal
I'm so sorry you had to cancel, Pat. Best wishes to both you and John (not Kim's father).

Hahahaha
Posted By: jomarc

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 02:07 AM

I'm so sorry you have to cancel your trip... I love reading your trip reports!
Hope to see you two in November.
Posted By: Kennys

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 02:47 AM

Understand Pat and best wishes for your November trip.
Blessings my Dear .
Posted By: bdeeley

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 10:50 AM

Miss Pat, I hope that both you and your DH are doing well and I'm saddened that you are having to cancel another spring trip. I hope, in November, that I get to make the trek down the beach to visit the two of the nicest people I've met on the island. Stay safe, stay well and reach out if I can ever be of help.
Posted By: pat

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 03:54 PM

Thank you all for your kind comments and well wishes. Cancelling April was a bummer but it was the wise thing to do.
And the good news ,,,,,,,,,,,we are booked for our annual November stay and already psyched for it.
Again, thank you for the emails, pms and kind and thoughtful message which are all very much appreciated.
Posted By: pburke40

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 04:48 PM

Pat, So sorry to hear you had to cance your trip . I understand exactly how you feel since we had to cancel our trip last month due to unexpected open heart surgery. Been going to sxm twice a year since 1990. We are booked for July, but still ……
Posted By: panman

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/10/2024 05:13 PM

I am so impressed....fifty consecutive years. So cool. Boy, have you experience the changes!
Posted By: pat

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/11/2024 02:19 PM

Pburke,

Thank you for your post. Hoping your surgery went well and you’re feeling great and eagerly looking forward to your trip.
Posted By: pat

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/11/2024 02:22 PM

Brian,

You are so very kind. Thank you for the good wishes and we will look forward to possibly a nice long chin wag. Be well and be happy…….
Posted By: Todd

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/11/2024 02:30 PM

See you in November when you are keeping your 50 year streak alive! We have been every year since 2002 but missed the year Irma hit. Take care of yourself, and the DH, looking forward to starting our November stay a bit earlier so we can make sure you have practiced your dance (PT) moves!

T & MJ
Corrected year first here
Posted By: SXMScubaman

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/11/2024 02:46 PM

"We have been every year since 2022 but missed the year Irma hit."
Might want to recheck that date. banana
Posted By: Whale Tail

Re: Change in plans…….. - 03/11/2024 02:54 PM

Pat one of these years our visits will align and hope to share a bottle of wine with you good people, until then wishing you both all the best.
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