If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Shore tour issue
A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in
Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. I find this hard to believe, and we both thought the tour operators were "bought out" somehow. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? When I was in Grand Cayman last year, I saw Stingray City tours for 67% less than what the ship was charging. -- I'm Tom Smith, and I approved this message. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
In article
, Thomas Smith -NO-SPAM wrote: A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. There is a taxi stand at the end of the pier. You can take a taxi tour of the island or take a taxi to any beach, or to Mairgot. If you want to do America's Cup Regatta or Golden Eagle Cat., afraid the cruise lines have those all those exclusively reserved for themselves. -- Charles |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
In article
, Thomas Smith -NO-SPAM wrote: A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. There is a taxi stand at the end of the pier. You can take a taxi tour of the island or take a taxi to any beach, or to Mairgot. If you want to do America's Cup Regatta or Golden Eagle Cat., afraid the cruise lines have those all those exclusively reserved for themselves. -- Charles |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Tom,
If these are operators that are contracted to the cruiseline then naturally they have to abide by the rules which means they cannot cut out the middleman. That is rather like asking the fuel truck driver to fill you gas tank before he pulls into the gas station. While these operators about the same or a little more than the 'independents that are floating around they have to meet certain requirements such as safety and insurance, people that can speak English, and gty that they will deliver the product advertised. In return they get first crack at the passengers and get their bookings through the cruiseline. That is a win-win deal for all of them. Now the 'independent are often cheaper but you get no gty that they will delivery what they promise, no way to complain if they don't effectively, and usually no insurance if something happens and if it all goes to hell in a handbasket, they just haul butt and leave you there. Most independents are honest and hardworking but if anyone is unsure of themselves, does not speak the local language, new to a port, or worried about time constraints then they should stick to the ships tours. Jim "Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message ... A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. I find this hard to believe, and we both thought the tour operators were "bought out" somehow. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? When I was in Grand Cayman last year, I saw Stingray City tours for 67% less than what the ship was charging. -- I'm Tom Smith, and I approved this message. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Tom,
If these are operators that are contracted to the cruiseline then naturally they have to abide by the rules which means they cannot cut out the middleman. That is rather like asking the fuel truck driver to fill you gas tank before he pulls into the gas station. While these operators about the same or a little more than the 'independents that are floating around they have to meet certain requirements such as safety and insurance, people that can speak English, and gty that they will deliver the product advertised. In return they get first crack at the passengers and get their bookings through the cruiseline. That is a win-win deal for all of them. Now the 'independent are often cheaper but you get no gty that they will delivery what they promise, no way to complain if they don't effectively, and usually no insurance if something happens and if it all goes to hell in a handbasket, they just haul butt and leave you there. Most independents are honest and hardworking but if anyone is unsure of themselves, does not speak the local language, new to a port, or worried about time constraints then they should stick to the ships tours. Jim "Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message ... A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. I find this hard to believe, and we both thought the tour operators were "bought out" somehow. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? When I was in Grand Cayman last year, I saw Stingray City tours for 67% less than what the ship was charging. -- I'm Tom Smith, and I approved this message. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
It seems to me that the major advantage of a "ships" tour is that, no matter
what happens on the tour (mechanical breakdowns, sick passenger, accident, bad weather), the ship won't sail without you. That being said, if there are at least two and definitely four of you...and you do some web research before you leave...and you don't push the return time to tightly...you can probably save a great deal of money by booking your own tour either in advance on the web (by email) or on shore. I can't really comment about the insurance issue. However, since Medicare and some private policies don't pay outside of the US, I would recommend trip insurance with a medical payment ($25,000 per head) plus med evac whether or not you take the ship's tours. imd "Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message ... A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. I find this hard to believe, and we both thought the tour operators were "bought out" somehow. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? When I was in Grand Cayman last year, I saw Stingray City tours for 67% less than what the ship was charging. -- I'm Tom Smith, and I approved this message. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
It seems to me that the major advantage of a "ships" tour is that, no matter
what happens on the tour (mechanical breakdowns, sick passenger, accident, bad weather), the ship won't sail without you. That being said, if there are at least two and definitely four of you...and you do some web research before you leave...and you don't push the return time to tightly...you can probably save a great deal of money by booking your own tour either in advance on the web (by email) or on shore. I can't really comment about the insurance issue. However, since Medicare and some private policies don't pay outside of the US, I would recommend trip insurance with a medical payment ($25,000 per head) plus med evac whether or not you take the ship's tours. imd "Thomas Smith" -NO-SPAM wrote in message ... A friend of mine just returned from the Carnival Triumph. She said that in Sint Maarten, the tour operators at the pier weren't accepting walk-up business. They said that everyone had to book a tour on the ship due to liability issues. I find this hard to believe, and we both thought the tour operators were "bought out" somehow. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? When I was in Grand Cayman last year, I saw Stingray City tours for 67% less than what the ship was charging. -- I'm Tom Smith, and I approved this message. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
HAL's Active Shore Excursions! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | September 14th, 2004 08:45 PM |
Celebrity Constellation Review 8/26/04 Baltics | Jeff Stieglitz | Cruises | 40 | September 12th, 2004 04:07 AM |
"Grand Europe Season" | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | May 29th, 2004 09:07 AM |
Carnival Adds Alaska Shore Excursions! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | April 28th, 2004 05:56 PM |
Princess Awards Excursion Companies! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | September 26th, 2003 12:44 AM |