Basics of Booking a Private Tour in the Med?

[OBX Cruisers]

My husband and I will be traveling on Oceania's Regatta from Barcelona to Venice in October 2006. We've been watching the CC boards and it looks like there are many wonderful private tours we'd consider booking. We'd appreciate help with the basics -
. Since there are just two of us, what is the best way to find other cruisers who might want to join us on a tour? It seems we aren't allowed to "advertise" for this on the CC boards. We'd hate to book an expensive tour and then not have anyone to share the cost.
. Are deposits usually required? full payment in advance? Can you use a credit card for the tour?
. Do you sign a contract?
. What happens if the ship itinerary changes and you can't make that port? How do you get in touch with the guide if there are last minute changes?
. Has anyone booked a private tour and not had the guide show up?

Thanks everyone!

[TWOFERTWO]

Go to Oceana, under cruise lines, on this board, if you haven't done so yet. Look through all the posts, see if there is any information there that will help you.

The roll call section for 'other' cruise lines, does't have much activity. You might start a roll call there, see what happens.

Do a search for 'private tours' for this thread, this is a topic that is covered all the time. You have lots of time to research and decide. Happy looking! :)

[Susan-M]

We have had good success on our Roll Call in finding others to share tours with. Different people have organized different tours, so that it's not the same person booking each tour. I booked the one for Naples with Salvatore of DriveAmalfi after reading rave reviews on CC (but there are many recommended drivers on CC & as the above poster mentioned, it's a matter of sifting through the posts to see what recommendations come up.)

There are 8 in our group (4 couples) and Salvatore has been in touch with each couple to confirm arrangements. He does not require a deposit, credit card or signed contract. I guess if something happens that we don't make it, it would be his loss instead of ours. He has provided us with his cell phone number in case of any changes in our schedule.

I waited until we had six people before booking, and then added two more later on.

There is a lot of interest in private tours, so I'm sure you will find it fairly easy to hook up with others, especially since you have lots of time before your cruise. Have fun planning!