With so few passengers the captain absolutely knew whether you belong there or not. He committed you to his scam by not putting you off at the very beginning. However, paper documentation is absolutely important when dealing with outside excursion operators. I book many excursions online outside of the cruise ships excursions. I always bring paper documentation printed from the website where I purchased the excursion tickets. I get names addresses and phone numbers of all involved. I also have screenshots as a backup. There are many unscrupulous operators in every port. I sift through all the current reviews and Google all pertinent information about the excursion and its operators before deciding. Nothing more maddening than someone trying to take advantage of you and your limited time in port. Be safe, be happy, cruise on.
Yeah the final excursion was through cruise and definitely more peace of mind, but I’ve done dozens through private vendors, “usually” without issue, but not always the case
I had a boat excursion booked and paid for in Aruba several years ago. Our pickup never showed up so we hired a driver only to discover our boat wasn’t there. Frustrating to say the least.
Wow! I use Viator all the time. Never had an issue. I hope you contacted Viator to get that excursion off their list if that company truly is out of business. What a SNAFU for you when you're already on the Struggle Bus. Lol 😂 ps...I was on that cruise with you and after being up till 4am on NYE, we didn't even attempt to leave Havana on Aruba Day. Hangovers are real! Lol
Viator vendors are hit or miss. Without notification we had two excursions cancelled in Rome due to “not enough profit”. We were told that Viator’s cut was too high and the tour operator couldn’t do it for that amount.
My last comment unfortunately disappeared. I think you were both in the wrong. You were wrong for not confirming the right company even after being told the company you booked with went out of business. You only asked for the time of departure which could be a time also shared with the boat owner you were in disagreement. The person who let you on was in the wrong for not confirming your reservation before letting you on if they require them before setting off. I don’t know if it’s the type of excursion you book before or after you head out. You can just as easily be viewed as another tourist taking advantage of a local as you are viewing them as scammers. All we know is the excursion you booked seemed shady. That doesn’t mean this business is shady. You’ve given no evidence that they are one and the same. Sounds like an unfortunate case of miscommunication with the new crew and fraud that is take up with the booking site for the original booking.
Sounds like a scam in progress (we are 8 minutes in) with the closed business and the matching time and place of his “bidnuz” (is $1000 normal for a scuba/snorkeling trip?)
So they claimed to charge $350 an hour, that’s where the 1,050 came, cause we were 1/2 way into that and the guy thought we’d just accept maybe…normally a trip like that would cost 70-$100 per person if it wasn’t private
With so few passengers the captain absolutely knew whether you belong there or not.
He committed you to his scam by not putting you off at the very beginning. However, paper documentation is absolutely important when dealing with outside excursion operators. I book many excursions online outside of the cruise ships excursions. I always bring paper documentation printed from the website where I purchased the excursion tickets. I get names addresses and phone numbers of all involved. I also have screenshots as a backup. There are many unscrupulous operators in every port. I sift through all the current reviews and Google all pertinent information about the excursion and its operators before deciding. Nothing more maddening than someone trying to take advantage of you and your limited time in port. Be safe, be happy, cruise on.
Well said, I pinned your comment on top. Thanks for the great comment, happy cruising
Another reason I always book through the cruise. More expensive but no issues
Yeah the final excursion was through cruise and definitely more peace of mind, but I’ve done dozens through private vendors, “usually” without issue, but not always the case
@@coachcruise I am much too weary to book outside the cruise line, I'd love to cost wise, just can't get myself to do it!! LOL
I had a boat excursion booked and paid for in Aruba several years ago. Our pickup never showed up so we hired a driver only to discover our boat wasn’t there. Frustrating to say the least.
Yeah since this was through VIATOR, I figured we were ok…obviously I was wrong
Dang, this situation totally sucks.
I’m sorry you had to go through that 🙏
Appreciate that, but it the end, makes a funny story to tell, but appreciate the thought
Crazy day Coach, but one you will always remember.
No doubt, as you could see, it was funny to me this guy thought we were so much in the wrong
That was crazy, fun times!
What a crazy story! Glad it ended well!
Yeah it’ll be a funny story to tell in the future for sure
I miss all the fun trips with you Coach!!!!! LOL
lol thanks! They’re getting a little crazy
Would have been better if they put you in handcuffs! JUST KIDDING! Awesome video, Coach!!!!!!!!
That would have gotten WAY MORE than 10s and 10s of views 😜
Only you Coach can have so much fun in Aruba
😜 you know it
This is why you book through the cruise line!!!
😉
Wow! I use Viator all the time. Never had an issue. I hope you contacted Viator to get that excursion off their list if that company truly is out of business. What a SNAFU for you when you're already on the Struggle Bus. Lol 😂 ps...I was on that cruise with you and after being up till 4am on NYE, we didn't even attempt to leave Havana on Aruba Day. Hangovers are real! Lol
I’ve got to contact them…I replied to email they sent and it didn’t go through…. Was so busy at work today, still haven’t done it yet, but I will
Happy New Year 🎆 blessings 🙏
Happy New Year to you as well!
Viator vendors are hit or miss. Without notification we had two excursions cancelled in Rome due to “not enough profit”. We were told that Viator’s cut was too high and the tour operator couldn’t do it for that amount.
Good to know, I hadn’t used VIATOR much, but thought they were reliable
Coach I think booking with the cruise line would be a better option. I hope you got your money from the other excursion back.
Not yet, but I plan on getting money back
Goes to show it's safer to book tours from the ship.
Definitely an argument for it to be due
To be sure, I meant to say
@@coachcruise don't you hate predictive text? I knew what you meant. Ship tours are dearer but I look at it as a form of insurance. 😃
@nonacee5065 well the third excursion in Grand Turk was through Carnival…and I must admit I did feel reassured
Lol 😂 nice moves
Only in Aruba lol
@@coachcruise can’t wait to hear about your trip. It looked like fun.
👍!
😉
I guarantee that boat was trying to scam you. Just unreal and another reason I don’t do excursions. I hope it turned out okay!
Yeah he definitely was, he saw an opportunity to score some extra cash off some tourists and went for it
My last comment unfortunately disappeared. I think you were both in the wrong. You were wrong for not confirming the right company even after being told the company you booked with went out of business. You only asked for the time of departure which could be a time also shared with the boat owner you were in disagreement. The person who let you on was in the wrong for not confirming your reservation before letting you on if they require them before setting off. I don’t know if it’s the type of excursion you book before or after you head out. You can just as easily be viewed as another tourist taking advantage of a local as you are viewing them as scammers. All we know is the excursion you booked seemed shady. That doesn’t mean this business is shady. You’ve given no evidence that they are one and the same. Sounds like an unfortunate case of miscommunication with the new crew and fraud that is take up with the booking site for the original booking.
Don't leave the ship. Problem solved.
It’s tough staying on the ship when you see that beautiful water in Aruba though
Hard staying on in Aruba, too beautiful there
Sounds like a scam in progress (we are 8 minutes in) with the closed business and the matching time and place of his “bidnuz” (is $1000 normal for a scuba/snorkeling trip?)
13:30 in and the cops 👮🏼♀️ are “cool” yet how often does this happen in their town?
So they claimed to charge $350 an hour, that’s where the 1,050 came, cause we were 1/2 way into that and the guy thought we’d just accept maybe…normally a trip like that would cost 70-$100 per person if it wasn’t private
So,you actually got scammed by the original company and then almost had to pay again. 😡
Correct! Maybe the guy owns both? 🤔
Crazy
It definitely was
Aruba is one boring island.....sorry Aruba.
Aruba is awesome…well if you enjoy the SALT LIFE at least, living there, maybe it’s boring, but visiting I’m sure happy to do when I can
Book excursions through the cruise 🛳 people
Well this is certainly a strong argument for it, I can’t disagree