tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post337907485596213809..comments2024-03-17T15:20:45.857-04:00Comments on Adventures in Antigua - a blog about island life spent with sun, sea and sand.: Please be on time for our tours.365http://www.blogger.com/profile/04162921650895684062noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post-77660272666478168812009-03-14T08:02:00.000-04:002009-03-14T08:02:00.000-04:00There's a reason the saying exists: that the squea...There's a reason the saying exists: that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I'm fed up with catering to that behaviour, and encourage you and everyone else to be empowered to know that you did your best, you continue to do your best, and if that displeases some folks, that's a shame, but the world isn't going to change its orbit for their accommodation. It's OKAY to decline to accommodate everybody. I'm late, I'm intolerant, I don't eat chicken, I don't like sting rays... You have to make decisions for the greater good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post-55973467354476562982009-03-10T11:52:00.000-04:002009-03-10T11:52:00.000-04:00It really surprises me to see the handful of peopl...It really surprises me to see the handful of people who complain and whine all of the time while they are on vacation. Sadly, from my limited experience, most of these folks that I've seen are from my county(USA). I would bet the subjects of your entry were also americans. I apologize on their behalf.<BR/><BR/>I was on the Xtreme tour on Tuesday, March 3 and had an unbelieveable time. I was part of a group of four and all of us sat in the rear of the boat and got soaked. It was great! My wife has a skin condition in which if she allows salt water to dry on her skin and is then exposed to the sun, she develops a bad rash. Trevor, JD, and Chris were extremely accomodating with her offering her the freshwater hose at every stop and giving her the option to ride by the captain so that she stays dry. All four of us were very impressed with the tour as well as the hospitality of the staff. I will gladly recommend your tours. Thanks again for the outstanding experience!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post-56949614170444790962009-03-07T21:16:00.000-04:002009-03-07T21:16:00.000-04:00This story embarrasses me as a cruiser! 1) Hard t...This story embarrasses me as a cruiser! 1) Hard to believe all 8 people in that first group were sick - even on a ship with noro. I think they were lying, at least some of them, or perhaps they all just changed their mind. 2) We have been on tours on other islands where guests were no shows, the operator gave them an inordinate length of time to get there, and we finally left. I think that's the operator's prerogative. No one should be so rude as to keep everyone waiting. I agree with Sarah, I think a disclaimer on your booking page about the need to be on time would be a "word to the wise." You shouldn't be expected to wait forever (it's certainly not fair to others on the tour), nor should you have to give back the deposit unless the ship doesn't make the port. That could go in the disclaimer. You take an extremely low deposit. If someone calls and says "I'm sick," not a whole group of people is sick, you might choose to give that person their deposit back. You always go above and beyond to make people happy, and I think you sometimes get the short end of the stick. By the way, no mention of either of these episodes has appeared on Cruise Critic - yet, and I bet that if either of the parties ever does show up and post, your many supporters will not hesitate to point out that a whole group wasn't likely sick, or that the second group should have been more responsible about getting to the pick up point on time.<BR/><BR/>We took a rain forest tour in San Juan day of departure once - it's clearly stated in the brochure that you sholuldn't sign up for this tour if your flight is before 4:00. Well, 2 ladies with 2:00 flights booked, and spent most of the day asking the driver (who didn't speak English very well, and couldn't figure out how to politely deal with them) to shorten the stops, skip stops, not let people have much time off the bus, etc. I finally turned around (I've got a mouth, I know), and told them they should have read the brochure, and not to spoil the day for everyone else. I nearly got a standing ovation, and they finally shut up. And they didn't miss their flight (too bad!) anyhow.<BR/><BR/>Okay, end of rant. I don't care if you publish this or not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post-18852814164610390612009-03-07T17:52:00.000-04:002009-03-07T17:52:00.000-04:00There are some folks who are miserable and just wa...There are some folks who are miserable and just want everyone else to be as miserable as they are. Some people want to argue even when there is nothing to argue about. Just keep doin what you do and enjoying it. Move on to the next day. It will be better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35742388.post-36075938362246924012009-03-05T16:42:00.000-04:002009-03-05T16:42:00.000-04:00Wow! Sounds like you had quite a day! I definitely...Wow! Sounds like you had quite a day! I definitely understand your predicament, especially when the possibility of just one negative review could potentially cost you multiple customers. I think if you had chosen not to provide the cab fare and additional discount you would have been well within your rights. I am sure most tour operators would not have been so understanding but we both know that Adventure Antigua is not that type of operation. The fact is your guest's argument is completely flawed. Even if Exotic Antigua was open at the time, they were admittedly NOT at the pick-up area (unless of course you've started picking up your guests inside the store :P) I would say that almost an hour after pickup time this constitutes as a no show. I don't think you should have to tell your guests that they need to be on time but it probably wouldn't hurt to mention something on your booking page. Explain that the Stingray City stop can often be crowded and in order to provide a more personal/intimate experience you request that ALL guests be on time.<BR/>And don't worry yourself too much...there will always be an occasional bad apple...too bad they usually spoil the whole bunch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00866027867106259332noreply@blogger.com