I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your friends and the Villa arrangement. I can totally understand your frustration. On our first trip, I was trying to arrange a group gathering for Negril. Our friend, Jamar and 3 others. They were all so psyched and we talked about it non-stop for months. I looked up all these different accomodations, made all these plans...Then they all cancelled on us one by one.... 4 months before the trip for various reasons, financial, work, family issues... I was really disappointed and started feeling anxious.

It turned out to be an amazing trip after all, we met some great new friends at the hotel and had such a blast.

When is your actual birthday? I'm a fellow Leo too. (August 9th) and I wish I could go to Negril to celebrate my birthday too and hang out with you. The Seagrape Villas look beautiful!

As for your friends, you mentioned they were pulling out for financial reasons, maybe they'll be able to pull the funds together in the upcoming months and you can still do this trip together. Markus and I never book our flight earlier than 8-6 weeks before our trip. (This is because it takes us a long time to save up the funds) It has always worked to our advantage though. There is usually a dip in prices during that time because airlines are trying to fill all their seats. It's the “Sweet spot” - We're scored really cheap tickets this way. You've still got 4 months before the trip, so you never know!

I do hope it all works out for you in the end even if your friends don't get it together, I'm sure you will both have an amazing time and meet lots of awesome people.

Or you can try to do what Marley and Tizzy suggested, grab a last minute flight and party with us in April!!