beckntom

I'm not sure why you would think it suspicious for a company to monitor these boards. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that they would want to know what kind of feedback their tours are getting. I certainly don't think it means that RIL is "planting" good reviews among these posts. They've had way too many stellar reviews for me to think that is necessary. I have seen (and reported) what appeared to be self-serving reviews on other tour guide threads, but I daresay none have made by Rome in Limo because it's simply not necessary.

We are also taking the Noordam cruise in September. Your tour with Mario sounds good. Do you have room for four more in his taxi or did you fill it up?

I'm sorry, but our tour is full. Are you on the September 8th sailing? If so, please come join the Roll Call. We'd love to get to know you there and meet you onboard. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1078556&page=13

<snip> While I am planning on doing 5-10 euros per person (10-20 euros per driver), I just want to make sure that is sufficient. Most postings say 10-20%, but that seems like a lot to me, considering European tipping customs. But, at the same time, I don't want to be cheap!

Personally, I think it should be a percentage of the cost of the tour; otherwise the driver/guide is penalized for there being only two people in your tour group opposed to six or eight.

Happy honeymoon and an even happier lifetime together! :)

Thank you, euro cruiser! Just what I hoped to hear.

well we leave tomorrow and next thursday is our sicily stop. we have hired a guy named mario astone, came recommended via this board. I'll post here what our experiences are when we get back

 

he will take us to Castelmola for the views, then to Taormina for some free time, then back to messina for the big Duomo and a see around

35 euros per person (7 adults, kids free)

when we were only 4 , he quoted us 45

 

it is not very cheap, but at least we have our private, costume made tour

Hi, Catharina. I was hoping you'd be back to tell us about your tour with Mario. How did it go? We're booked with him in September, so are eager to hear about your experience.

Thanks!

Hi, Sally. Our ship, the Noordam, is only in port from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mario says he will pick us up at 7:30; we'll arrive in Castelmola around 8 or 8:15, and stay there for 30-45 minutes before heading down to Taormina where we'll visit for a couple of hours. There, he says, he can either give us a map or walk around with us giving detailed explanations, whichever we prefer. Then we'll leave in time to maybe have a quick drive around Messina, ending at the astronomical clock for its noon display. That's about twelve minutes long, and he says we'll then be a three-minute walk from the ship.

So all in all, a little more than a 4-1/2 hour stint with Mario. I'm sure he would use your time any way you would like. He drives a 2007 Mercedes Vito van, 9 passenger (including the driver). When I asked him about our being left stranded up in Taormina (I told you I grilled him pretty good), his reaction was, "What?? Just abbandon (sic) you?" Then he said not only would he be "mean" to do that but also stupid since he doesn't get paid until the end of the tour.

I have booked Mario Astone as well, for September. Certainly I can't recommend his tour at this point, but I can recommend how promptly (and entertainingly!) he answered my e-mails and my many questions. I grilled him pretty thoroughly on his reliability, safety, and timeliness--and was satisfied with every patient answer he gave me. He went out of his way to reassure me, understanding there is as yet very little information about him on this board. I'm perfectly comfortable with my booking and looking forward to a fun day with Mario in September. His e-mail address is marioastone@tiscali.it.

BTW, someone said "it's not cheap," but $35 Euro (pp for eight) is much better than $69 pp for our ship's shuttle only to Taormina--plus we get to see a lot more than just Taormina and do it with a private group at our own pace.

Catharina, I look forward to your "review." Thanks!

Thanks for the info on the discounts. All of the tours and transfers are for just 2 people, so perhaps that could explain the limited discount. I did ask for it the first time, so I don't know that I should ask again. I am always hesitant to do stuff like that. We will use them even without a discount, I just hate to pay any more than necessary. What do you think?

Yes, I think you should definitely e-mail Jany and tell her that you are reading on Cruise Critic about 10% discounts for multiple bookings and give her a chance to explain. It's only fair to yourself and to RIL that they be given that opportunity. Who knows what may have happened or what the reason for the discrepancy might be. Duman and Yany have been nothing but fair to me in setting up multiple transfers and tours, some of which are for two people, some for more. I did have a question about the pricing for my pre-cruise Rome tour, and that was explained to my complete satisfaction.

Mlleach thanks for the site.. I emailed a few days ago and have not heard back yet.

Any of you know the max persons he can accomidate for this tour.. I am finding some only have 1 vehicle limit 6-8 persons. I have 20

Garry told me, if I had a large group, that he has other drivers available with "vans and sedans" but wanted to know as soon as possible so that he "could secure the best guides available." Sounds to me like he wouldn't have a problem with your 20.

I've been waiting to hear back from him, too, with a question I've had. Maybe he's out of touch for a couple of days.

The website is

http://www.geocities.com/seascapetours/

 

I just booked for 10/15/09. Thanks for the tip.

ML

Great, ML! You, too, Frequent Floater. Looks like we can all look forward to a great tour. (And thanks for the web addy.)

I too am looking for a private tour company that could take my small group to Peggys Cove. Any help with tour company recommendations or links is appreciated.

I just booked with Garry Jollymore, who comes highly recommended by a CCer who toured with him in November. I don't believe he has a website, but if you e-mail him, he will give you tour descriptions and prices. garryjollymore@eastlink.ca We're doing a five-hour Halifax and Peggy's Cove tour for $200 total (six people = $33.33 per person).

Most of us who post answers/advice/information for fellow cruisers do so with the best intentions. We also understand that the information provided by others (and ourselves) is not "official", "professional", or "expert" advice. Our intent is to share our experiences and opinions and let the reader make their own, informed choices.

Extremely well said.

I'll post here when Sulivan responds.

And Sulivan advises: "All our shore excursions are sold on the ship its self."

Oh, well, it was worth a try. I didn't think to ask them about Kidney Cove, but here's their website: www.sulivanshipping.com

That's really odd. I've just booked an excursion with Frank for April 2007, and he corresponded as if it were for next week. I think there was only one e-mail that went unanswered for over 24 hours; when he did reply, he apologized because he had been under the weather.

Hang in there. Can't help but think you'll hear from Frank soon.

Becky

MLT53, thanks for the info. Were there other passengers on your tour? If so, did *you* find them (to make up the minimum number) or did Frank fill the other tour spaces himself? I guess I'm just concerned that I might have to pay a huge guarantee amount if it ends up being only my husband and myself on the tour.

Which tour did you take?

Thanks!

Becky