How to arrange private tours?

[argybargy]

We have been following the posts re Land Discoveries and enhanced tour program cancellation for 2014, and see that many people say that they arrange their own private tours….

 

How do we set about trying to arrange any private tours for forthcoming destinations?

[uktog]

The best thing is first, be part of the roll call for your cruise - check if anyone is already organising tours and if so, see if they have places.

 

If no tours are being organised or not spaces now exist, go to the ports of call boards and search against the port you are looking for a trip and see what others have posted about recommended guides. You can also use Tripadvisor to see what is recommended for that port. Then it is up to you how you proceed but we tend to contact a provider and get a range of prices depending on numbers then decide whether we will book as a 2 or open up through the roll call to others

[Host Hattie]

Depending on where you are sailing, lots of places can be enjoyed without organising a tour.

A bit of forward planning and a map can be just as useful.

 

The ports of call boards on here are very helpful.

 

Nice to hear from you argy ! (We've just come back from 12 days on the Queen Elizabeth & had a fantastic time).

Edited November 2, 2013 by hattie the cattie

[Grandma Gilly]

As Hattie said, it really depends where you are cruising.

We always arrange private tours.

I contact a travel agent who specialises in the area we will be visiting, and they put forward a program with local guides and drivers.

We much prefer this to ships tours. We like to be flexible and hate waiting around for the last person back on the coach!

 

Also check these boards under Ports of Call. There is a lot of information there if you can be bothered to sift through.

[shedridt]

We have arranged private tours & have thoroughly enjoyed them (OH! a private tour out of Trieste on Crystal to hike & enjoy local food!!! AND Beijing with a private guide!), but in the main we are very happy with ship's tours for several reasons.

 

ONE - I tend to be surly in the morning & it is easier for me to be sullen if I can tuck up into myself for the hour or so that it takes me to blossom into whatever it is I blossom into....

TWO - we like to build on group enthusiasm. There have been some times when it was group negativity, & we felt free to shut ourselves off from the group in that one or two case.

 

In all our years of cruising we have never had a bad ship-organized tour. Nor have we had a bad personally organized tour. Maybe we're just that happy sort of person who loves to experience everything....

[Texed]

The best thing is first, be part of the roll call for your cruise - check if anyone is already organising tours and if so, see if they have places.

 

You always offer some very nice advice. I am sure a lot of folks appreciate your input. :)