Turning To You For Advice

[kakalina]

We are going on a 33 day cruise to Tahiti/Hawaii in March. There is a large and active roll call. DH and I set up a private shore excursion. The tour operator has 3 boats each holding 12 persons.

I posted this months ago on the roll call and slowly people signed up for it. A few days ago all the spots were filled up and I posted a list on the roll call.

Apparently I did not keep a good list and missed someone. Now I am overbooked and I don't know how to handle it. I did email the tour guide and they can't make anymore room due to safety regs.

Do I ask someone to drop out? Tell the last person to join that they can't go now?

I am embarrassed and feel badly that I goofed this up. I appreciate any any all suggestions you might have. Thanks
Trisha

[IRL_Joanie]

We are going on a 33 day cruise to Tahiti/Hawaii in March. There is a large and active roll call. DH and I set up a private shore excursion. The tour operator has 3 boats each holding 12 persons.

I posted this months ago on the roll call and slowly people signed up for it. A few days ago all the spots were filled up and I posted a list on the roll call.

Apparently I did not keep a good list and missed someone. Now I am overbooked and I don't know how to handle it. I did email the tour guide and they can't make anymore room due to safety regs.

Do I ask someone to drop out? Tell the last person to join that they can't go now?

I am embarrassed and feel badly that I goofed this up. I appreciate any any all suggestions you might have. Thanks
Trisha

Wow, what a terrible dilemma, Trisha:(

I just read your problem to hubby and asked him his thoughts, as the one thing I would NEVER do is to volunteer to take myself off this excursion!! NEVER!!

We, hubby and I, think that you should explain to the last person that signed up the problem and apologize profusely, but give them the facts just like you have to us.

On all excursions it is first come, first paid, first to go. And I/we think this is the most equitable solution. And that due to safety, the tour director cannot/will not allow even 1 more person.

Joanie

[ziggypup]

We are going on a 33 day cruise to Tahiti/Hawaii in March. There is a large and active roll call. DH and I set up a private shore excursion. The tour operator has 3 boats each holding 12 persons.

I posted this months ago on the roll call and slowly people signed up for it. A few days ago all the spots were filled up and I posted a list on the roll call.

Apparently I did not keep a good list and missed someone. Now I am overbooked and I don't know how to handle it. I did email the tour guide and they can't make anymore room due to safety regs.

Do I ask someone to drop out? Tell the last person to join that they can't go now?

I am embarrassed and feel badly that I goofed this up. I appreciate any any all suggestions you might have. Thanks
Trisha

Sometimes honesty is the best policy. Tell them what happened and see how it plays out. Maybe their are some that were thinking of canceling anyway.

[Spender Nui]

Try posting on your roll call, explain exactly what happened and ask if anyone would be willing to bow out. It's possible that some may be reconsidering and would be gld to find a gracious way out. Good luck.

[CowPrincess]

Personally I'd contact ALL the people who have signed up, and give them the facts. And ask "did anyone decide to come only because you initially agreed, and now feel obligated to go through with it? If so, let me know -- you can be released from whatever "obligation" you feel :) " And if that didn't find the # of spare seats needed, I think I'd enlist the operator's help to find another boat to participate. And see if you can recruit more people to fill the 4th boat :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I feel for you on this one.

If you have everyone's e-mail addresses I would try to contact them personally and explain what happened and see what happens.

How many extra are there?? I would sure hate to see you giving up the tour.

Hope you can work it out.

Lots of time to settle things.

[mamaofami]

I agree Trish, that honestly is the best policy, and hope you're not thinking of canceling yourself. Just explain what happened. Maybe someone who has been on the fence about this excursion will be happy to be released from the obligation to go. Good luck.

[kakalina]

Selfish as it may sound I never considered taking myself off the tour. I did post on the roll call pretty much what I posted here but only one response so far.

I did my best and that's all I can do. I feel pretty rotten about it though.

[sapper1]

In addition to all the excellent advice you have received you might consider putting the last people to sign up on a "wait list" as there may be some people who have to cancel their cruise for one reason or another. I feel your pain and hope you can get it sorted out without too many ruffled feathers.

[mamaofami]

Trish, you're human and mistakes happen. You organized a big tour and helped a lot of people. Don't beat yourself up over this. It will all work out.

[IRL_Joanie]

Selfish as it may sound I never considered taking myself off the tour. I did post on the roll call pretty much what I posted here but only one response so far.

I did my best and that's all I can do. I feel pretty rotten about it though.

You did your best and you have tried to help others enjoy via an excursion, a part of the world that you love.

We all make mistakes and as long as we have a conscience we will suffer sometimes, just as you are now. You could have kept quiet (I know you'd not have, but someone else might have) and let it come to light at the excursion meeting point, but you did not. You have been a decent human being and let all involved know far out in advance.

You've done what you can and can oly go on from here. Let it go and do not let this one thing ruin your holiday or your cruise:)

Joanie

[Sailkeywest]

First of all, IT'S OK! Stop feeling bad, things will work themselves out. A lot of people I think do not check the roll calls daily, they probably just haven't had a chance to respond.

If I was one of those people that signed up for the excursion, I wouldn't be hurt or upset just because it was accidently overbooked. I would simply find another excursion. There probably are a few people that booked simply because "everyone else was too." Wait a couple days and see if you get any takers.

Don't suppose these roll calls have a way for people to post their emails for better communication?

Good luck and Safe travels :)

[prescottbob]

Selfish as it may sound I never considered taking myself off the tour. I did post on the roll call pretty much what I posted here but only one response so far.

I did my best and that's all I can do. I feel pretty rotten about it though.

... organize the tour to begin with and then a logistical mistake occured should not elimnate you from the tour (Hey! it's your tour!)

I would eliminate the "Last Man Standing", as it were, on the 'list'.

Not to worry. Somehow most experienced cruiser's / traveler's would survive. (Wang-Wang anyone?)

Bon Voyage & Godd Health!
Bob:)

[kakalina]

Oh God yes, Bob. Make it a double please!.


Thanks to all of you for your advice. I have decided to go with last on first off. Now if that hole would just open up and swallow me down.

[Pokeynose]

You were doing something nice for those on your cruise and you made a mistake. We all make mistakes. No holes in your future to swallow you up. Have a wonderful cruise. Barb:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sounds like a good plan.

Who knows -- someone may change their mind in the next couple of months.

We are all human and make mistakes.

Enjoy your weekend.

[JudyM]

First, don't worry too much. There really is a good chance that in the next three months one of those 37 people will change their plans, get sick, or for whatever reason no longer be able or interested.

Second, maybe you could offer a consolation/incentive like the airlines do when they're overbooked. You could ask for a volunteer to give up his/her spot on the excursion, and then treat that person to lunch or dinner at the Pinnacle, or whatever else is mutually satisfactory.

[shootr]

That big of a group, 30+ days in Tahiti: Got to be one person that would feel like me: Buy me a beer when you get back and I'll tell you what I did instead...Friends?

Remember: It ain't a problem 'til it's a problem. And there's three months to go before it can be considered a "problem" (imho)

[sail7seas]

Trish,

Sorry to hear this mistake has happened but it happens to all of us at one time or another.

You've been honest about it, 'fessed up' and that's enough. Don't beat yourself up IMO

Last on, first off seems to be the best solution.

The odds are VERY big that at least one couple will cancel for one reason or another and those who are being removed from the tour list will get to go afterall.

Please let us know when you get notification of the first cancellation..... there is sure to be at least one or two.

[kakalina]

A wonderful thing just happened. It would seem that one couple cancelled the cruise and I didn't get the information. I am sorry they had to cancel their cruise but it sure eliminates all my problems.

Whew! I am so relieved. Everyone gets to go. Thanks for all your advice.

[Cruising-along]

A wonderful thing just happened. It would seem that one couple cancelled the cruise and I didn't get the information. I am sorry they had to cancel their cruise but it sure eliminates all my problems.

Whew! I am so relieved. Everyone gets to go. Thanks for all your advice.

Trish I hadn't posted earlier because you were getting such good advice, but I just want to say I'm so happy it has worked out for you!