17 Apr 2023
Tough trip to review so I'll break it down.
Pit stops 3/5
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- Many were uneventful at best. Several gift shops that had nothing unique or interesting and spent too long there. And the scenic places that were beautiful we had practically no time there. I get it...the driver doesn't have an incentive to take us to a beach when the shop owners could be giving them a cut to stop at their spots.
Driver 3.5/5
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- Truly, the guy was close to a 5/5 with tons of knowledge and a good demeanor. One major exception knocks this down a couple starts that I'll note in a moment. But overall he was really a great guy who kept it fun and lively. Good patter, safe driver, helped us all have fun
Company 2/5
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So we went on an island tour in Feb that claims they will take us snorkling on the north shore. I read that North Shore is not good that time of year and the day wasn't great weather. A local I talked to said there is no way there would be snorkeling that day. I phoned/emailed/ messaged and tried every way to get ahold of the company to ask if snorkeling would be possible. Their only reply was something to the effect of "who told you that there would be no snorkeling". When we got on the bus, I asked the driver if there would be snorkeling and equipment rentals and he passed me off to the manager who gladly took my money. By the time we got to the north shore, it was extremely clear that there would be no snorkeling and I believe they absolutely KNEW that 100% before leaving. I imagine the driver was in a tough spot between being honest with us and doing what I suspect his management wanted (i.e. milking the tourist for maximum money). It is too bad too. If the driver would have just pulled me aside and said there likely wouldn't be any snorkeling, I wouldn't have wasted my $$. And had he done that, I would have given him a $50 tip. But even though he was a great guy, I felt like he stood by and allowed the company greed to take advantage of us.
Overall, I wish them all well but buyer beware.