Tour organizers threatened at Meet & Greet aboard Grand Princess

[MicCanberra]

I have seen more then once people who do book private tours with very large numbers like 50, 60 even 80 people. That is one heck of a lot of people to be responsible for. Plus if you are also hiring a few busses to transport these large groups, do they make sure they have someone on each bus doing a head count? Guess I like many of you do private tours because we like small groups of about 10, 12 or so. Bottom line if you feel comfortable with whoever is setting up your tours, then that's all you need. If not cancel but do so well in advance.

I agree smaller groups are better but sometimes a large private group (40 people on a bus) is necessary as you are doing an itinerary not offered by the ship and not cost effective to do by yourself. :D

[deadzone1003]

It is not unusual on a roll call to offer seats on a van as it is alot cheaper than a private tour in a car. Because of demand, it then becomes 2 vans, then 3 vans, until the tour operator offers a bus at an additional savings. No one starts with a tour for 75 people. It usually starts small. If it did start at a large bus initially, then someone is probably expecting to make money.

[KofAK]

Why bother booking a tour for 75 people, you could take a ship cruise with those numbers? It might be cheaper but just as slow and frustrating.

 

I bothered because it was a very good tour with a reputable company at a very reasonable price and there were lots of requests from passengers to join the tour. If you are organized it can be done. I did not have any complaints from the ones who took the tour. As long as they are satisified I am not concerned about what others think. It was a lot of work for me but I did the job and I did not get any compensation for doing so. I did meet lots of nice people though. There were four buses with someone on each bus checking that no one was left. Each bus traveled separately so not everyone was at the same place at the same time except for boarding at the dock.

[dougo in oz]

I have seen more then once people who do book private tours with very large numbers like 50, 60 even 80 people. That is one heck of a lot of people to be responsible for. Plus if you are also hiring a few busses to transport these large groups, do they make sure they have someone on each bus doing a head count? Guess I like many of you do private tours because we like small groups of about 10, 12 or so. Bottom line if you feel comfortable with whoever is setting up your tours, then that's all you need. If not cancel but do so well in advance.

 

50 - 80 people ??? Wow !! I can see how it can expand ... organisers often want to include others as they don't like to disappoint them. I have been on a shore excursion where there were 3 buses and it was very well organised with basically a "bus captain" on each bus.

 

And I couldn't agree more with cancelling well in advance... it's just good manners and gives the organiser some room to move to find a replacement.

 

Sharing new experiences with others through private shore excursions is nice, and tailoring a tour to a port where you've been before lets you see more / different things than you could otherwise with only one day in port.

 

I'm much more liable these days to do a private shore excursion than rely on the cruise lines "one size fits all" approach.

 

So for those who are organising a private shore excursion on any roll call I'm on ... save a couple of places for me please !! :D

[CRUZGAL53]

50 - 80 people ??? Wow !! I can see how it can expand ... organisers often want to include others as they don't like to disappoint them. I have been on a shore excursion where there were 3 buses and it was very well organised with basically a "bus captain" on each bus.

 

And I couldn't agree more with cancelling well in advance... it's just good manners and gives the organiser some room to move to find a replacement.

 

Sharing new experiences with others through private shore excursions is nice, and tailoring a tour to a port where you've been before lets you see more / different things than you could otherwise with only one day in port.

 

I'm much more liable these days to do a private shore excursion than rely on the cruise lines "one size fits all" approach.

 

So for those who are organising a private shore excursion on any roll call I'm on ... save a couple of places for me please !! :D

 

Well said, my friend! :)

 

Gone are the days of my organizing large groups (like I used to do)...just too much work & effort. I sure will jump in if someone else is doing the work! I still like smaller groups and will continue to organize and plan those, but as usual for me...mainly on longer cruises!

[rugbypopsie]

I have been on cruises with very active roll calls and took part in privately organised tours of up to 120....yes it is a huge responsibility and not for everyone..but we have always been respectful of the ship meet and greets and certainly no one was making a profit from these tours. We organised tickets and had a group of "post persons" who delivered written information directly to the other participants staterooms and met up to collect tickets. In fact the staff on Diamond Princess were very helpful and even allowed us to go on our own tender to get everyone ashore..probably the very high number of elites in our group had something to do with it.

 

Sue

 

[RASHOPPER2]

When I arrange tours they are usually for 6 or 8 people. If there are others who want to be on the tour I either waitlist them or give them the name of the company so that they can organize their own tour. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to organize a tour for 75 0r 100 people or why people would want to be on large buses with 40 or 50 people on a private tour. To me the reason for a private tour is a small group with similar interests.

[shepp]

I have to concur with Pam on this. We did our South American cruise on the original Royal Princess (1250 passengers) and wouldn't consider a larger ship. Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, Stanley, Punta Arenas, Puerto Monnt - all of these are quite small and I would think have a difficult time accommodating the ships Princess is sending there now.

 

Well, kinda sorta. We recently got back from a month on the Star. In Puerto Madryn, four of us rented a car and drove to see the penguins at Punto Tombo. The site was initially crowded, but we stayed longer than the ships' tours and by the time we left, things were much sparser. In Ushuaia, we took a cab to the edge of town and hiked up a mountain, with maybe a couple dozen other people there. In Stanley, all the penguin tours were booked solid, but we'd booked a private tour far in advance and had a great time at Volunteer Point. At Isla Magdalena, outside Punta Arenas, maybe 40 or 50 us were at the penguin rookery, hardly a mob. And in Puerto Monnt, we grabbed a local bus to La Serena and wandered around, no problem.

 

Which is to say, if you do mass tourism, you'll be part of a mass. And yes, cruise ships can certainly negatively impact a port's economy and culture. But researching and arranging things in advance (and mostly avoiding the ship's tours) made visiting South America a real pleasure. Sure, it would be nice to go on one of those pricey little NatGeo ships. But we had a great time in South America and never once had that Disneylandish claustrophobia we get on a crowded day at a Caribbean port town.

[StLouisCruisers]

Why bother booking a tour for 75 people, you could take a ship cruise with those numbers? It might be cheaper but just as slow and frustrating.

 

I bothered because it was a very good tour with a reputable company at a very reasonable price and there were lots of requests from passengers to join the tour. If you are organized it can be done. I did not have any complaints from the ones who took the tour. As long as they are satisified I am not concerned about what others think. It was a lot of work for me but I did the job and I did not get any compensation for doing so. I did meet lots of nice people though. There were four buses with someone on each bus checking that no one was left. Each bus traveled separately so not everyone was at the same place at the same time except for boarding at the dock.

 

 

George, I have been on one of the tour buses you mention and the price was reasonable, with an excellent day spent ashore. An unforgettable day, in fact. I know it was a lot of work and we all appreciated the opportunity to see as much as we did that day. Fabulous job! Thank you again!

[KofAK]

 

 

George, I have been on one of the tour buses you mention and the price was reasonable, with an excellent day spent ashore. An unforgettable day, in fact. I know it was a lot of work and we all appreciated the opportunity to see as much as we did that day. Fabulous job! Thank you again!

 

Thanks. It was indeed a good day and I look forward to going back.

[StLouisCruisers]

Yes, I would LOVE to go back as well!

[shellbeachjim]

Well, kinda sorta. We recently got back from a month on the Star. In Puerto Madryn, four of us rented a car and drove to see the penguins at Punto Tombo. The site was initially crowded, but we stayed longer than the ships' tours and by the time we left, things were much sparser. In Ushuaia, we took a cab to the edge of town and hiked up a mountain, with maybe a couple dozen other people there. In Stanley, all the penguin tours were booked solid, but we'd booked a private tour far in advance and had a great time at Volunteer Point. At Isla Magdalena, outside Punta Arenas, maybe 40 or 50 us were at the penguin rookery, hardly a mob. And in Puerto Monnt, we grabbed a local bus to La Serena and wandered around, no problem.

 

Which is to say, if you do mass tourism, you'll be part of a mass. And yes, cruise ships can certainly negatively impact a port's economy and culture. But researching and arranging things in advance (and mostly avoiding the ship's tours) made visiting South America a real pleasure. Sure, it would be nice to go on one of those pricey little NatGeo ships. But we had a great time in South America and never once had that Disneylandish claustrophobia we get on a crowded day at a Caribbean port town.

Well done - I am very impressed. For someone like you the size of the ship probably doesn't matter as much. I'd love for Princess to do cruise around South America on either the Ocean Princess or Pacific Princess, but I doubt that's in the cards.

 

Since we generally don't go on Caribbean cruises, I won't have the claustrophobia issue. :rolleyes:

[Cruisin' Chick]

At today's Meet & Greet, Capt. Herriott threatened expulsion from the ship of anyone observed in public organizing or collecting for privately organized tours. Now to be fair, this is the 49 day South America cruise, and there are mostly experienced cruisers aboard. Many did set up tables at our M&G to collect final payments. By some estimates we have organized 100 private tours, and I suppose it has been noticed by ShoreEx figures. The company considers it competition, and the warning may have originated at headquarters. Left in doubt is can we even hold up a name sign at ports of call to assemble our groups. In any event, this message was delivered sternly and unfriendly. Anyone organizing tours should take this into account.

 

Has any of those who did set up tables posted their reasons why they didn't do this collecting away from the M&G? (forgive me if they have posted, I could have missed it)

[baldercash]

 

 

George, I have been on one of the tour buses you mention and the price was reasonable, with an excellent day spent ashore. An unforgettable day, in fact. I know it was a lot of work and we all appreciated the opportunity to see as much as we did that day. Fabulous job! Thank you again!

 

I am sure it was a great tour but I would bet you would have enjoyed it more with just 4 or 6 rather then 30+ or so on a bus. Just saying.

[cruisemom42]

To each his/her own. The large bus tours obviously work for some people or there wouldn't be any takers. Cost is probably a big factor.

 

I find I most enjoy tours that are not more than 8 people. For the times I've organized tours, it's rarely been an issue getting more people because I usually have very specific itineraries in mind, and it may not be the "see all of Rome in one day" type of tour. :eek:

[KofAK]

 

I am sure it was a great tour but I would bet you would have enjoyed it more with just 4 or 6 rather then 30+ or so on a bus. Just saying.

 

There were 16 on each 25 seat bus bus and it was quite enjoyable.

 

Just saying.

[MicCanberra]

 

There were 16 on each 25 seat bus bus and it was quite enjoyable.

 

Just saying.

16 people is not a big group at all, very easy to manage.:D

[caribill]

Has any of those who did set up tables posted their reasons why they didn't do this collecting away from the M&G? (forgive me if they have posted' date=' I could have missed it)[/quote']

 

The M&G is a time when usually all of the organizers and most of the participants are there. It is thus the simplest time and way to do this.

 

Particpants on multiple tours do not have to meet different organizers at a number of times and places. The organizers do not have to track down all the participants.

[baldercash]

In reading this blog I have learned....

1. Princess has warned organizers not to collect money at the CC event.

2, Organizing the tours takes business from Princess tours.

3. Some are running CC tours for a profit.

4. There may be liability if one takes a profit from a tour.

5.The purpose of the CC event is to meet other cruisers so don't collect money for tours at the event.

6. Failure to comply can get you banned or tossed from the ship.

[NSWP]

I support Princess stand on this. Why should the ship provide a venue for a commerical venture it is getting nothing out of ? Downright embarrassing too at a M&G flogging (selling)/or taking money for private tours, a defacto travel agency on board. No doubt the Captain is the mouthpiece for Princess Head Office, er, make it Carnival Corporation Head Office.

 

Of course there is an incentive for pax to run private tours, often a free seat or two for the organiser.

[StLouisCruisers]

 

There were 16 on each 25 seat bus bus and it was quite enjoyable.

 

Just saying.

 

As George said, we didn't have 30+ people on a bus, it was a cozy group and I knew at least half of them personally. Sooo much better than the Princess tours that day. We saw twice as much as they did.

 

Just saying...

[kruisey]

I have been on cruises with very active roll calls and took part in privately organised tours of up to 120....yes it is a huge responsibility and not for everyone..but we have always been respectful of the ship meet and greets and certainly no one was making a profit from these tours. We organised tickets and had a group of "post persons" who delivered written information directly to the other participants staterooms and met up to collect tickets. In fact the staff on Diamond Princess were very helpful and even allowed us to go on our own tender to get everyone ashore..probably the very high number of elites in our group had something to do with it.

 

Sue

 

I have organized several onboard activities .Some for over 100 and I also personally delivered notes to each cabin and also have used the ships voice mail to confirm.

Given an announcement at M&G that would be contacting everyone which takes only one minute.

Would never take advantage of princess's hospitality by setting up a table at M&G meeting that is Meet and Greet for fellow passengers and crew.Its fun meeting folks that one has met through CC roll calls and nice to get a visit from the Captain and crew so that we can all identify with them.

Also think its great that through CC roll calls folks arrange small private tours because one does see and do more than tour buses sometimes several with over 50 souls on each coach to popular destinations:eek:

[deadzone1003]

In reading this blog I have learned....

1. Princess has warned organizers not to collect money at the CC event.

2, Organizing the tours takes business from Princess tours.

3. Some are running CC tours for a profit.

4. There may be liability if one takes a profit from a tour.

5.The purpose of the CC event is to meet other cruisers so don't collect money for tours at the event.

6. Failure to comply can get you banned or tossed from the ship.

 

1. My impression was don't set up tables to collect money or make it obvious that you represent a tour.

2. Everybody knows that, but private tours are just a fact of life for Princess.

They just don't want anyone to advertise a private tour on their ship. Try advertising a private poker game in a casino.

3. It is always a possibility, but I find most people are just doing it because they want others to share the cost of their tour. Private tours for 2 are really expensive.

4. Where did you get that impression?

5. Most people just confirm their tours at the M&G. Collecting money would depend on situation, like the organizer had to pay upfront. If I had to pay up front for a busload of people, it could be in the thousands.

6. True, but what was the Captain really mad about? Collecting for private tours between acquaintances or collecting for private tours in a businesslike fashion?

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I support Princess stand on this. Why should the ship provide a venue for a commerical venture it is getting nothing out of ? Downright embarrassing too at a M&G flogging (selling)/or taking money for private tours, a defacto travel agency on board. No doubt the Captain is the mouthpiece for Princess Head Office, er, make it Carnival Corporation Head Office.

 

Of course there is an incentive for pax to run private tours, often a free seat or two for the organiser.

 

I have never gotten a free seat on a tour I have organized or made any money, mostly it has been for friends travelling together and if there has been a seat or 2 extra we have offered it on the roll call for any takers.

I also did a Venice Ghetto and Murano DIY tour in 2011 and have a group for our TA this year that I did research for, made copies for the participants and never charged so not everyone arranging tours has an incentive of making $$$.

[shepp]

Well done - I am very impressed. For someone like you the size of the ship probably doesn't matter as much. I'd love for Princess to do cruise around South America on either the Ocean Princess or Pacific Princess, but I doubt that's in the cards.

 

Since we generally don't go on Caribbean cruises, I won't have the claustrophobia issue. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks. It wasn't very impressive. Just took some pre-trip research.

 

Since there were a couple of weeks of sea days involved in the cruise, the size of the ship did make a difference. I think a smaller ship with fewer/smaller venues would have seemed more confining, and there would have been a smaller pool of people to relate to.

 

Which is to say that I was glad to be on a ship the size of the Star.