02 Feb 2024
While this is not Tip Top II (Galapagos) this is the same owner/operator. Tip Top II is currently unable to accept reviews, so this is my only recourse.
Do Not Book with this operator!!!
They basically stole my 20k and did not provide the trip.
Long story, but worth the read. I purchased this trip for my father and I as a bucket list trip for him. We were so excited to go, had our bags packed, vaccines up to date, the works. We got notification the week of our departure that the trip was cancelled due to COVID. This was obviously not in my control. No refund was offered. When I pushed to have my fully paid for trip refunded, I was told I had to rebook or lose 70% of the trip. What? Really?
Now here is the issue. Unwilling to lose 70% of my trip, we tried rebooking. COVID went on much longer than the world expected and still no refund was offered. Both my dad and I are pharmacists and actually own our own independent pharmacy. It took over a year to plan and organize our original trip and have licensed professionals to be able to cover our pharmacy for the time we would be away. (This was no small feat.) As you may or may not know, pharmacies administered about 70% of COVID vaccines. I live in a community of approximately 3,500, but administered approximately 25k vaccines. We were the first in our state to have the vaccine and people traveled from all over the state to us. You can fact check it, we were recognized by NYS with an Empire Award and a visit from our Governor. Not bragging, just setting the stage that we truly are our communities health care hub.
Fast forward. A lot, I mean A LOT has changed. COVID has made it nearly impossible for me to hire pharmacists to be able to reschedule this trip. It took a year the first time. This operator has now decided that too much time has passed, and will still not refund the trip. They also will not let me reschedule for a date that I get to choose. Now mind you, I paid for an upper room with a balcony and the add ons I could as this was a one in a lifetime experience for my dad and I. As an essential healthcare worker, I am so disappointed and dismayed. For the past 3 years I have worked 7 days a week to help my community. The booking company and this operator are well aware of my situation, and sadly do not care. So now, I am out 20K for the trip of a lifetime that never happened.
Buyer beware. I am heartbroken, saddened and disappointed that this is how this is being handled.