I really rely on honest reviews to make my decisions as to what to do on port days so I will be very honest in my review.
First, management -
Dani is the one who schedules your tour and hires people to bring you on your tour. It appears they contract with independent vendors. I wanted to do the sloths and then my son wanted to snorkel in the West End. We paid when we booked online. Dani was responsive to questions via email before the tour.
Our issue came when it came time to take the tour. Our meeting time was 8 am. At 7:32 am, I wrote Dani to let him know we were finishing breakfast on the ship and would be walking to the port. Walking from the ship to the port was about 10 minutes. It was not until we got out, past the port, on the road, that we realized RTGA was nowhere to be found. I saw all the other vendors (including one I canceled to go with RTGA). We had never been outside this port. Once on the street, the other vendors kept helping us try to find RTGA. It was then that we finally got a message that the tour would not start until 8:30 am. To be clear, I would not have minded receiving that email at breakfast in response to my email. However, Dani sent it just a couple minutes before 8 am when we were supposed to meet. It was extremely hot and humid that day. There was literally no place to take shade. If we walked back to the ship, we risked missing our guide that Dani said was on his way. As I said, other vendors were offering to help. Dani told us when we signed up to bring money for water, which we did, but we had no water or any place to get water during 30 minutes directly in the hot sun. When I talked to Dani, he acknowledged the error but said they were "only human" and that we needed to wait. My family was literally dripping with sweat. Dani said only a few more minutes. We were feeling dehydrated with no shade and no water. Dani also said there was likely a flat tire. (We later learned there was not a flat tire. ) Finally, after 20 minutes, I told Dani he had until 8:30 or I was going with one of the other kind vendors who had been trying to help. He begged me not to and told me he would discount our excursion cost for the wait. (He never did). When I told him we were uncomfortable, he told me several times that we should be calm and take deep breaths. That felt very patronizing. I reiterated how hot we were and that all the other cruise members had gone on their excursions. We were literally the only ones left with the other vendors, including the vendor I had originally booked with.
At 8:30 am, our driver, Patrice, came just as we were setting up with another vendor. We elected to go with Patrice.
The important thing to note is Dani does not give you your tour guide's direct information so he can alone manage it. If our guide had been in communication with us, we likely would have known after the first email we sent that we could take longer in the breakfast area and then come down. It wasn't the lateness, it was the timing of the notice, as well as the excuses that did not measure up, as well as the "deep breathing" after we had patiently waited and were uncomfortably hot and sweaty. Truly, after Dani's management, I didn't want anything to do with RTGA and was worried because I had never used them and we were the LAST family waiting on the street for our tour. Other cruisers wanted to know who we had used that left us waiting. I was afraid we had been scammed. Dani needs to give contact information for the guide so patrons can get up to date, firsthand information without waiting on him. We did go on the tour because our driver showed up.
In addition, Dani had advertised snorkeling equipment would be provided but no fins are provided. We have taken several snorkeling tours and this is the first time that happened. There is ALOT of swimming without fins. Please consider if your health will allow extensive swimming.
Water is not provided. You can bring money but you may not initially have a place to get any so bring multiple waters with you.
Dani begged us to go on the tour and promised a discount. We never got one. Instead, after the tour, he promised another discount if we booked again when and if we came to Roatan.
Review of Actual Tour -
When Patrice showed up, it was evident it was likely his error in coming late. He had to come from the West End. He was extremely kind and sincere in apologizing. He was real. No flat tire excuse. No patronizing, just a sincere young man. Again, my issue was not with the lateness, it was the lack of management and sole control by Dani that forced us to wait in the hot son instead of keeping up with what was going on.
Having said all that, 5 stars to Patrice. He is from Canada and likely in his 20's like my son. They got along great. Patrice took us to the sloths, had us wait in the air conditioner, and went on our tour with us. It was delightful. Patrice then drove us to the West End and took us snorkeling. Beautiful snorkeling. Just note, they do not provide fins. Patrice said it was to protect the reef. However, other tours provided fins. This only makes a difference because you will need to be a strong swimmer and swim quite a distance. With fins, it is nothing. Without them, you are literally swimming for quite a while. It was worth it, but please consider if you are able to do this. We found fins make a difference. They also provide no water since they use the boats of individuals in Roatan. You need to buy water before getting on the boat. Just FYI. After the snorkeling, we expressed how much we enjoyed the tour. Patrice again apologized and offered a lunch place. We took Patrice to lunch. Excellent food and very kind people. Thoroughly enjoyed lunch.
Then, even though it was not booked, Patrice offered to show us the shopping strip on West End. He picked places we would like. We loved it so much. We were able to get one of a kind gifts. He took us to buy chocolate. He took us to the Rusty Fish (highly recommended) where they use recycled material to make unique, fun gifts.
Patrice got us back to the ship in time to board. We hated to say goodbye to him. I cannot stress what a great guide he was. I have done business internationally and I appreciate so much someone who is forthright and cares. Patrice was all of these things and knew the area well. If I could book directly with Patrice again, I would do it in a heartbeat.
In closing, the excursion was 5 star. The management was not. If I had communication directly with Patrice, I honestly believe it would be a whole different experience. When I was given the flat tire excuse and told to "deep breathe" while we were dripping sweat in the hot sun, it didn't feel like Dani understood the issue and made promises/excuses just to keep the booking. Then, when he promised the discount, and did not provide it unless we rebook, I was done with RTGA.
I separate these two issues because every other vendor there was so helpful and kind. The people are truly amazing. The tour was excellent. It just needed to be managed better. You may not have an issue and I hope you don't, but, if you do, be prepared to breathe deeply and sweat alot.
Added recommendations:
Rusty Fish store on West End,
Food from El Savador on the West End (La Ruta del Sabor)
We loved Patrice!! We thank him for his incredible service and help.