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Tom Harper river cruise


Roadlamp
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Googled them and got this PR release dated August 8 2013, they are apparently a new company with first cruise scheduled for summer 2014, so no one would have any experience with them yet....

 

 

New River Cruise Company Launches With an “Epic” Experience

Tom Harper River Journeys launches their first Epic river cruise in 2014 to Authentic Russia backed by the most generous loyalty rewards and deposit programs.

 

 

Tom Harper River Journeys

A truly all-inclusive experience, with no surprises, no gimmick pricing, and the most culturally rich itinerary on the market.

Newton, Massachusetts (PRWEB) August 08, 2013

 

Tom Harper River Journeys announces the successful launch of their company with their first “epic” river cruise experience: Authentic Russia 2014.

“Combining the dash of Tom Sawyer and the loyal companionship of Joe Harper” is how company CEO Bret Gordon describes their river cruising experience, aimed specifically at Baby Boomer travelers. In addition to a complete online and mobile shopping and purchasing experience, the company differentiates itself with an emphasis on authentic cultural and social experiences and a focus on “the destination, not the vessel,” according to Gordon.

River cruising by Americans is the fastest growing segment in the cruise industry according to recent CLIA publications. In fact, the industry is experiencing 10% annual growth for five years running, easily out-pacing the overall ocean cruise market. “We strongly believe the market will continue this renaissance for years to come and want to deliver a compelling experience that honors the destination,” continues Gordon.

A New Way to Enjoy Traveling — “Your Way”

The company sets itself apart by offering what Gordon describes as “a truly all-inclusive experience, with no surprises, no gimmick pricing, and the most culturally rich itinerary on the market.” Tom Harper’s exclusive “Experience Your Way” activities, allowing travelers the opportunity to choose from different styles of excursions in select ports of call, are another unique feature the company hopes will appeal to independent-minded Boomers.

With the “best loyalty program in the business” and a “generous deposit program that never expires and is fully transferable,” Gordon believes Tom Harper’s first journey, Authentic Russia 2014, will be just the beginning of a growing legion of Friends of Tom looking to share “epic travel experiences.”

From $3,799 per person, Authentic Russia will be departing May to August 2014, with Southeast Asia destinations launching soon to Vietnam’s Mekong River and Myanmar’s Irrawaddy. For more information, visit tomharper.com.

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You might want to read about a Canadian river cruise-all-all-inclusive company...Jerry Vandyke.

 

Hello that was unhelpful! Want to give your fellow members a name of the company???? Yes they might want to read about it but who exactly do you want us to read about???

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You might want to read about a Canadian river cruise-all-all-inclusive company...Jerry Vandyke.

 

I am aware of Jerry VanDyke. It is a company - and river cruises are one part of the package. They also offer lands journeys and small escorted tours.

 

Hello that was unhelpful! Want to give your fellow members a name of the company???? Yes they might want to read about it but who exactly do you want us to read about???

 

This is the website.

 

http://www.jerryvandyke.com

 

They are completely all-inclusive - and the prices reflect it. I don't need that level of vacation management (at least, not yet....) Tom Sawyers' prices are much less - hence the question about marketing in Canada.

 

Fran

 

Fran

Edited by franski
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I've been reading their website and planned tours. Many of them look amazing, and to countries that most river cruises are not yet offering..Spain, Scotland.

 

However, from what I read (and am possibly misinterpreting)..they charter space aboard other already scheduled vessels and world passengers for their tour group. So not everyone on the boat, is part of the tour, group, or with the same agenda. The shipboard credits can be applied to other tours offered on the ship.

 

It sounds more like tour trips offered by travel agencies of "join us for..." they will put a group together with a host/tour guide. The vessels listed are small cruise ship type, rather than river boats.

 

None of this is necessarily a bad thing, but more, if my interpretation is correct, on how they differ.

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Hi, I also am aware of this company. Friends of ours went with them a few years back and had a great time. However, when my husband and I were looking for a company last year we fairly quickly removed them from our list. This wasn't because we thought they offered a bad product, in fact they are an excellent company. However, they did not offer what we were looking for. Firstly, they do not have hotel beds, theirs are Pullman. No balconies, of any type. They put great store on the fact that they do not sail at night, ever. We would have not found this an advantage as the more day time sailing the less time in port. This probably suits their clientele, we crossed paths with them a couple of times during our cruise. The average age was quite a bit older than on our boat so less time in port, and walking, may have suited well. In addition, as already stated they are all inclusive, something we like, however, in their case it includes pick up at your door, I can call for a limo, and a tour guide who accompanies the guests on the flight. We were actually on the same flight. I feel that this complete hand holding is reflected in the price rather than boat amenities. I can't comment on excursion quality.

Bottom line I determined that this is a very good company which would suit older possibly less mobile passengers who want someone with them from the moment they leave their home and who don't mind sleeping on a pull down bed.

It all depends on what you want, which is why research is so important. Not many bad choices but important to get the right choice for you. We passed on JVD and went with Scenic, which we loved and will sail with again next year.

Mary

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  • 1 month later...
Does anyone have any experience with the new river cruise line by Tom Harper? Please share your thoughts on them. Thanks.

 

Tom Harper offerings are glossy, unique and really tempting, but I'd like to know more on why one would travel with a "start-up" company.

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Tom Harper offerings are glossy, unique and really tempting, but I'd like to know more on why one would travel with a "start-up" company.

If they have their act together, I would not have a problem. I have traveled on Silverseas and Oceania when they were "start up companies"

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  • 7 months later...

We took the inaugural Russian River cruise with Tom Harper River Journeys. I have to tell you we were impressed, very impressed. Their website tells you that it is all inclusive and it is. Every excursion that you could think of was included. And every tip on the trip was paid for. That was a unique factor in choosing their trip. It is nice to reward your guides, your drivers, and the staff on board. It is always a concern for us that we need to make sure that we had enough cash for tipping in the right currency. But to know that it was taken care off, was just one thing we didn't have to think about. The tour was jam-packed with places to see and go. We were on the go from morning until night. The sights in Russia are incredible and very much worth your consideration if you are having thoughts about going there. One of the nice highlights was what they called a Cultural Exchange. We were invited by a Russian family to go to their home. It was wonderful to meet someone in their home and exchange information about one another. We were served vodka and later some tea, along with their local breads and desserts. It was a unique experience for us and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

Tom Harper River Journeys proved to be worthy of all their descriptions on their website and more. Everything was well organized and the ship we were on, the MS Pushkin, had wonderful staff, food and service. Everyone there was friendly and helpful. And our guide for our entire trip was outstanding. I would not hesitate to book with them again in the future.

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Hello that was unhelpful! Want to give your fellow members a name of the company???? Yes they might want to read about it but who exactly do you want us to read about???

 

 

I want to apologize for this post... Must of gotten up on the wrong side of the bed!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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  • 2 weeks later...

Did the May Harper riverboat cruise, Moscow to St. Petersburg - recommend it highly - was my first cruise - a fantastic trip, extremely well organized, very nice boat ("Alexander Pushkin"). Took in all the major sights in Moscow and St.Petersurg (did the two day extension there!), plus five most interesting stops as we sailed north. You will not go wrong by taking this cruise.

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Did the May Harper riverboat cruise, Moscow to St. Petersburg - recommend it highly - was my first cruise - a fantastic trip, extremely well organized, very nice boat ("Alexander Pushkin"). Took in all the major sights in Moscow and St.Petersurg (did the two day extension there!), plus five most interesting stops as we sailed north. You will not go wrong by taking this cruise.

 

I would very much appreciate a referral. My email is ljshebesta@gmail.com. Please contact me.

Thanks

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  • 2 weeks later...

Glad to read your comments, as a friend & I are doing the Tom Harper river cruise to Scotland in May. Their itineraries do sound intriquing. Hopefully, this cruise will be as good as the one you took to Russia, as I could do a few more from their brochure!

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Glad to read your comments, as a friend & I are doing the Tom Harper river cruise to Scotland in May. Their itineraries do sound intriquing. Hopefully, this cruise will be as good as the one you took to Russia, as I could do a few more from their brochure!

 

Hi,

I hope you'll come back next year and tell us all about your trip! I'm leaving next week for 16 days driving around the highlands and islands, but recently read about your Scotland trip on the Tom Harper website and it sounds fantastic. I know it is far away, but I'm wishing you a wonderful trip!

Edited by Barrheadlass
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  • 3 weeks later...

Good to hear some positive comments about this company. We're considering doing their Machu Picchu tour. I'd really prefer a tour that did both Machu Picchu and Iguazu falls. If anyone has any recommendations let us know.

Irene

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Good to hear some positive comments about this company. We're considering doing their Machu Picchu tour. I'd really prefer a tour that did both Machu Picchu and Iguazu falls. If anyone has any recommendations let us know.

Irene

 

Machu Picchu is on the Pacific side of South America and Iguazu Falls is on the Atlantic side. For both geographic and political reasons, "never the twain shall meet."

Edited by Host Jazzbeau
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  • 1 month later...
Glad to read your comments, as a friend & I are doing the Tom Harper river cruise to Scotland in May. Their itineraries do sound intriquing. Hopefully, this cruise will be as good as the one you took to Russia, as I could do a few more from their brochure!

 

We are on this cruise as well. Have you started a Roll Call for the cruise?

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  • 1 month later...

River cruise in Myanmar, September 19, 2014

 

Tom Harper’s river cruise in Myanmar attracted me because the website promised the type of luxurious accommodations I was looking for.

 

Unfortunately, after arriving in Yangon, my travel companion and I were advised that the advertised RV Irrawaddy Explorer had not received its certification papers and was not allowed to sail. Instead of a Maugham Suite with French Balcony, our cabin on the replacement ship was a very small room with dark panelling, a small window and a solid door to the deck which is used for dis/embarkation. The storage space was almost non-existent, the bedding worn. The bathroom was tiny and the shower drain clogged four days into the voyage, flooding our bedroom. What I had bought, and expected, was a five star stateroom. What I received was a one star cabin (pictures available).

 

The compensation offer from Tom Harper consisted of $500 cash. Haimark Ltd – owner of the RV Irrawaddy Explorer – offered a travel credit of $1000 to expire at the end of 2016 on any of their cruises or those of Tom Harper. I told our destination ambassador that neither company offers a cruise that I either haven’t already taken or am interested in. She contacted her office and was told to have me call Tom Harper after my return and talk to a representative about converting the travel credit to cash. While still in negotiation with my travel agent, $500 was refunded on my credit card. About a week later, a letter advised that no compromise was possible and the company would keep my travel credit on file for future bookings.

 

Will I travel with Tom Harper again? NO. I bought a product in good faith trusting in their integrity and accuracy of representation. Selling a cruise on a new ship that had not received certification was a risk that Tom Harper undertook, and I assume they were smart enough to have some kind of insurance in place for non-delivery of products from Haimark Ltd.

Making two-thirds of my refund a travel credit whose redemption would mean spending a lot more money on a cruise I never intended to take, is aggravating. Even turning the travel credit into a $500 cash credit would have shown that Tom Harper cares enough about a customer to meet her halfway.

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