St. Michaels Marina ...

[Skybolt]

This season just isn't starting off that great. First HHS over booked the 4th and I got bumped for just one of three days, the 4th.

Last weekend was horrible here as most of you know, small craft advisory on Friday and 2" of rain the rest of the weekend. Monday was beautiful of course. So given the weather I canceled my reservation for the weekend at St. Michaels like eight other boats did. I was preemptive and called Wed. morning to make sure I was outside of the 48 hour window they have on cancelations. When I called I caught a lot of grief for Anne as she did not want to cancel my reservations. Anyone who has been there before knows Anne and what I am talking about. Anyway I am at the end of the billing cycle for my CC and I checked my balance to pay it off, then I saw a charge from St. Michaels on the 31st for a nights stay that I did not have.

Called the marina this morning and was told they were not going to credit that charge even after I explained I was outside of there cancelation window. She then proceeded to tell me that they only have 5 months to make their living and cannot afford cancelations. I then asked for Mike to call me back and that was hours ago, as he was too busy to take the call right now.

I guess I will be going to Higgins from now on. And yes already filed the dispute, as that will get me anywhere. You can't make tis stuff up I tell you ...

 

[quality time]

Ann definitely has her moments! We stayed at the Harbour Inn across the creek last year and will probably start going there instead. It's a little further to town but we use electric scooters or the dinghy so no big deal. Atleast you'd still get a pool where you won't at Higgins.

 

[Skybolt]

Ann definitely has her moments! We stayed at the Harbour Inn across the creek last year and will probably start going there instead. It's a little further to town but we use electric scooters or the dinghy so no big deal. Atleast you'd still get a pool where you won't at Higgins.

Thats a good point, but the pool at St Michaels isn't much to speak of. I like the dinghy thing, where do you leave it, up by park on foxy's side?

 

[quality time]

The pool at Harbour Inn is not much bigger but we couldn't be without one in July/August. There's a dinghy dock over by the ferry boat next to the Crab Claw restaurant. It would be ideal to tie it up at the bulkhead near Foxy's but there are signs prohibiting it.

 

[The Dark Side]

I will be heading to that area in August (rented a house with a dock close by). If we take the boat to St. Michaels for dinner, are there slips available for a couple hours? Are the slips associated with the restaurants? Do I need to reserve a slip to come in for dinner?

Any recommendations would be great.

Cheers,
TDS

 

[Skybolt]

I will be heading to that area in August (rented a house with a dock close by). If we take the boat to St. Michaels for dinner, are there slips available for a couple hours? Are the slips associated with the restaurants? Do I need to reserve a slip to come in for dinner?

Any recommendations would be great.

Cheers,
TDS

Well I will say this, St. Michaels Marina is usually booked and very hard to get into short notice. Supposedly you can get a slip for a few hours but I haven't been able to with my size boat. With my CC I never have an issue.

 

[alnav]

Well I will say this, St. Michaels Marina is usually booked and very hard to get into short notice. Supposedly you can get a slip for a few hours but I haven't been able to with my size boat. With my CC I never have an issue.

I've had good luck getting into SMM for day trips but I only do it on weekdays. Avoids the craziness of weekends and I've always been able to get a reservation at the last minute once I'm sure the weather is going to work out. The luxury of a work-from-anywhere job.
There's also the option of joining the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Any level of membership allows for free hourly docking, a more expensive "Mariner" membership confers overnights (with some fees). I had a membership for a couple of years but let it lapse as we didn't use it all that often after the first year (but that year was worth it).

 

[Skybolt]

I've had good luck getting into SMM for day trips but I only do it on weekdays. Avoids the craziness of weekends and I've always been able to get a reservation at the last minute once I'm sure the weather is going to work out. The luxury of a work-from-anywhere job.
There's also the option of joining the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Any level of membership allows for free hourly docking, a more expensive "Mariner" membership confers overnights (with some fees). I had a membership for a couple of years but let it lapse as we didn't use it all that often after the first year (but that year was worth it).

I agree during the week is fine, I've gone down there for lunch on my CC and no issues. But weekend last minute reservations and hourly has not been the greatest.

I have thought about CBMM but that's not the same as walking up the dock to Foxy's or around the corner to Theos.

 

[Pirate Lady]

We have always stayed at Higgins. Closest walk into town (2 blocks). And covered slips (watch for spiders hanging from above). Not a pool person, so don't care about that. Sorry for your misfortune.

 

[Pirate Lady]

You could consider Chestertown Marina. Comparable to St Michaels, easy walk to town, pool and stuff, real nice place.

 

[Skybolt]

So I just spoke with Mike, the owner, and while I was being polite he hung up on me but before he did, he said I was the only cancelation he had and it was too late. Funny since Anne said there were 8 cancelations and Mike was pissed. I guess there new un printed policy is 72 hrs. ... Funny the other three boats I was with didn't have to give a CC and canceled as well two after I did.

 

[tdschafer]

So I just spoke with Mike, the owner, and while I was being polite he hung up on me but before he did, he said I was the only cancelation he had and it was too late. Funny since Anne said there were 8 cancelations and Mike was pissed. I guess there new un printed policy is 72 hrs. ... Funny the other three boats I was with didn't have to give a CC and canceled as well two after I did.

That sucks. It's not your fault it rained & they have a seasonal business. Do you have a copy of your reservation with the cancelation policy in it? If so, the dispute should be no issue.

 

[Skybolt]

That sucks. It's not your fault it rained & they have a seasonal business. Do you have a copy of your reservation with the cancelation policy in it? If so, the dispute should be no issue.

Funny that's what the owner asked before he hung up on me. They don't have Dockwa, and you can only make reservations over the phone, no email nothing as far as I know.

 

[alnav]

Just checked the SMM site:
"CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations require a 48 hour notice. Please call our Reservations Line at 410.745.2400 or toll free 1.800.678.8980 if you have questions." You may want to take a full snapshot of the page for the dispute.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I booked Mem Day weekend at Kent Narrows a couple weeks ago. Saw long term forecast was bad. So I canceled. This was thru Dockwa and got to say they were great. Within 2 hours of cancel my CC was credited back full. Never used Dockwa before but sure will again.

 

[Skybolt]

Just checked the SMM site:
"CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations require a 48 hour notice. Please call our Reservations Line at 410.745.2400 or toll free 1.800.678.8980 if you have questions." You may want to take a full snapshot of the page for the dispute.

Man you can't make this stuff up, I just answered the phone and Mike called me back with a totally different tune and apologized up and down saying they "f'd up" (his exact words) and gave me a free night (guess it's not really free). Guess he was having a bad day and couldn't take anymore, happens. At least I got an apology and it's now fixed.

 

[Skybolt]

I booked Mem Day weekend at Kent Narrows a couple weeks ago. Saw long term forecast was bad. So I canceled. This was thru Dockwa and got to say they were great. Within 2 hours of cancel my CC was credited back full. Never used Dockwa before but sure will again.

Dockwa is awesome, that's how I found out that HHS over booked me. Had an issue with another marina and through Dockwa it got resolved quickly and no nasty phone calls. Great app for sure!

 

[Pirate Lady]

Ever been to Tolchester Marina? We going first time tomorrow. Tiki bar (The Shanty) has 3 bars, 2 grillers, and live bands. Friends go a lot tell me the marina gives free slips to go to the tiki bar. Will see. Looking forward to first hot sunny weekend.
I want to take off all canvas, wife will say “put the top up, sun too hot” i can see where this going.

 

[Skybolt]

Were going to Rockhall and the Harbor Shack for lunch and see were that goes. I here Tolchester is a nice spot, you should have fun. Have gone by there a bunch of times on the way to Fairly Creek and always wanted to try it out for a night.