Building works in Dhonveli, Maldives..(Nov-Dec) advice please?!

llol_slim

First Choice are not being very helpful.
They gave our friends a cheap upgrade, but because they dont know for sure that there will be any work going on whilst we are there, they wont deffinately offer us an upgrade.
For such an expensive holiday, I dont think this is good enough, we want to upgrade in a similar fashion or cancel,(and then go with another company somewhere else) which i think is a fair shout.

So how do i find out about getting a refund? She told me we can't get a refund, I dont think this is right, as in the Terms and conditions it mentions there may be a charge, it does not say we cant cancel.
Is there an ombudsman or something?
Saveapenny? calling you here

Sam_Bee

One problem I see is that you are assuming the work will overrun? Didn't you say it should be finished by the time you arrive?

What is the presumption it should overrun? Unless they have had terrible weather in the Maldives recently (unlikely!) then it should finish on time, and you get the holiday you booked?

llol_slim

Sam_Bee wrote: »

One problem I see is that you are assuming the work will overrun? Didn't you say it should be finished by the time you arrive?

What is the presumption it should overrun? Unless they have had terrible weather in the Maldives recently (unlikely!) then it should finish on time, and you get the holiday you booked?

well yes, but thats the problem, you see, some people are being told beginning of december (thats as specific as they will/can be - we go on 10th December which is the beginning of Dec) some people are being told it will continue until january 2008.
Sorry I should've said that.

Sam_Bee

llol_slim wrote: »

well yes, but thats the problem, you see, some people are being told beginning of december (thats as specific as they will/can be - we go on 10th December which is the beginning of Dec) some people are being told it will continue until january 2008.
Sorry I should've said that.

Ah, in that case, can you find it in writing anywhere about January 2008, or is this just hearsay? If you can get it in writing (from another company would be fine) I doubt First Choice could deny you the right to move.

Have you seen this? http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298332-d594693-r8548500-Dhonveli_Beach_Spa-North_Male_Atoll_Kaafu_Atoll.html

llol_slim

Sam_Bee wrote: »

Have you seen this? http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298332-d594693-r8548500-Dhonveli_Beach_Spa-North_Male_Atoll_Kaafu_Atoll.html

I had seen that, thank you,but I think I will give them a ring.
Apparantly First CHoice are going to ring the hotel but dont expect to hear anything back for 3 days .. seems a bit odd.
I emailed the hotel yesterday but had no reply as of yet.

saveapenny

Unfortunatly you just have to wait. If you upgrade/cancel now you will be charge the proper fee. Like Sam said if you can find proof that its upto 2008 print it off and send a copy to FC customer service or take it in to your travel agent and get them to do it with a covering letter stating you want to be moved/cancel

I would call the hotel yourself and whatever they say get them to confirm it via e-mail

llol_slim

ok thank you both.
My plan of action is to now ring the hotel and get them to send me an email which I can take to First Choice.
We can upgrade to a different island for around £150 which I think is worth it for piece of mind if nothing else. So if we dont get a discounted upgrade, thats what I think we will do.
I will let you know how we get on.
Thank you again

saveapenny

dont pay out anymore money yet...wait and ses first what happens. You have at least til end of October to make changes ( I think its 6 week before departure) so why pay unless you have too

llol_slim

well we went into First Choice and they sorted it
They upgraded us for £120 (£60 each), we are going to Herathera Island
which is a new resort, opening in October.
Lovely.
thank you all for your help. I think the fact I was confident I could get a refund if I needed to had the desired effect, they didnt try to pull the wol over our eyes.
Thanks

saveapenny

Looks fantastic http://www.herathera.com/index.htm hope you have a fantastic time

This might be usefull to e-mail them for a nice room http://www.herathera.com/herathera%203%205%202007%20(colour).pdf