Tania Rieben thought she’d scored a bargain on a one-bedroom condominium in Maui for spring break. She’d found the vacation rental through a popular Web site called VRBO.com and then negotiated directly with the owner.
vacation
David Willard is offered help with making a booking at a Disney Vacation Club — a promise Disney reneges on after his salesman goes on medical leave. Is there any way to get Mickey to keep his word?
When Marcella Knight opened the door to her vacation rental property in Rehoboth Beach, Del., a few weeks ago, she saw a dump. Not only was the unit dirty, but it was also in dire need of maintenance, she says.
Diana Somerville was looking forward to a week in Canada with her family last Thanksgiving. But the weather gods were not smiling upon her. Just before she was supposed to drive up to Victoria, a major blizzard struck near her home in Washington State, making the roads impassable.
Sandra Sitarski’s flight to Cancun is rescheduled and then rescheduled again. Her tour operator offers her two $50 vouchers, which can only be redeemed on a future vacation purchase. Is that enough? Aren’t there any rules that would protect her from losing a day of vacation?
Jen Knight’s family was looking forward to an all-inclusive vacation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, until the resort sent her some bad news: Her hotel, Beaches Boscobel, would be closed for renovations.
Noah Markewich’s lost-luggage case had “lost cause” written all over it when he contacted me last week.
When Kathy Potvin told her grandson she was considering breaking a tradition of visiting Ocean Park, Maine, last summer, the 7-year-old protested.
This was supposed to be a post about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World, which we attended on Friday evening. It was great fun, like last year, except that we stayed for the parade. The kids loved it.
When Kelly Strong’s son falls ill, the family cancels a vacation to Scottsdale, Ariz., booked through Marriott Vacations. They’re promised a refund, but after weeks of waiting — and calling — the money hasn’t shown up on Strong’s credit card. Is this refund a lost cause?
Be nice to your car rental agent. Otherwise you could end up like Hank Jeffries.
When Roger Bell takes a vacation, he normally flies to a national park or visits friends up north for two weeks. But like many Americans, Bell, a Woodstock, Ga.-based technical writer, lost his job in 2009. And that changed the way he vacations — maybe permanently.
Is travel insurance a waste of money, as some commenters suggested in yesterday’s post? Meet Heidi Larson, whose vacation has been put on hold by an unexpected but common medical condition. She’ll give you an earful about insurance.
If you don’t have the time or the money for vacation this summer, maybe you can spare a few hours for a daycation.
I’ve been coming to Hawks Cay for years. I can’t help myself. There’s something about it — could be the resort or the magical location in the Middle Keys — that draws me back again and again.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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