Panels help required!!

[Cheeky Girl]

What do the panel think?

No company names mentioned but I would like your thoughts.

I booked a last minute (2 weeks before departure) family flotilla holiday to Turkey and have just returned. Family is 2 adults and 2 kids (aged 5 & 7)

Main reasons for booking:

1. Short transfer time from Airport to boats – 15 mins kids not good in buses
2. Fairly short sailing days longest day 21 miles then 9 miles Total about 50 miles
3. If too rough would be able to return to main base for shelter

On arrival ever thing seemed okay.

Next day at briefing were told that we were doing the first part of the return delivery trip!!!!!

The first day was to be a 20 mile slog to wind followed by a 5 mile day then a 40 mile day then another 20+ mile day in total we covered over 110 miles. If the wind got too strong we would just have to carry on. On the longest day there was no wind so we had over 7 hours of motoring!!!

The transfer to Airport was to be 2 ½ hours by mini-bus during which journey both kids were sick twice!!!

On complaining to the lead crew about the change of itinerary they claimed that they had only found out the day before flotilla started. We were not the only customers to not know about the change in route.

On returning home, I checked over all the documentation and finally found a one line 3 word phrase “Destination XXXX XXXX”

Overall the feeling was that we , the paying customers, had been used and abused by this big company to move their boats from one point to another and save paying a delivery skipper. Yes we did get a discount by booking late but the discount was the same as had been available the week before.

Do you think we have a fair gripe or should we just shut up and go away accepting what has happened as one of those things?

Graham /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[fireball]

Delivery trips as a holiday for these companies is a standard offering, a the beginning and end of each season. These are normally advertised as such and are intended for those wanting to do more sailing & less drifting.
I don't think using a holiday crew as delivery crew is abuse, unless it is not clearly stated in the brochure and/or pointed out to you at time of booking...

 

[Talbot]

That was not a holiday, it was a delivery trip - you have been conned - complain bitterly

 

[StugeronSteve]

I've got no idea what your legal position is, but I do think that this is appalling. An itinerary had obviously been set, without due regard to the abilities and expectations of the paying guests, or concern for weather. I would assume that the flotilla leader had to get the boats to "point b" in readiness for the next mugs, sorry, punters to come along.

I don't suppose you will be booking again, so not good business. Can't see why you shouldn't nane and shame though, it would be good to let others know what they might be in for.

 

[twisterkai]

If your final itinary bore no resemblance to what you booked, then send the company an invoice for your 'delivery services'.

I've never been on a flotilla holiday, but if I were you I'd be incredibly p155ed off.

 

[TigaWave]

Bill them at £200.00 a day for delivery skipper and crew, plus expenses of course.

I either get paid to do this (when its done to the companies schedule) or at the very least get air fares and expenses paid if I do it to my schedule and take friends.

Bloomin cheaky if they hadn't told you, and a bit rough on the family I guess. As you say, you booked it for very sound reasons...short transfer and short trips and they failed to deliver on either.

 

[jamesjermain]

I would say you definitely have cause for complaint. Not because they were using paying customers as delivery crew - this is common practice and, though a big money saver for the company, also offers the right sort of customer a more challenging sail, usually at a heavily discounted price - a win-win situation if you'll forgive the argo.

However, if the flotilla had not been advertised specifically as a delivery trip and there was nothing in the paper work to indicate that it was, then they have not provided the goods or services ordered and should send you at least some of the money back. The fact that the holiday had already been discounted is neither here not there.

I am assuming, here, that the flotilla you booked did have a specific location and a specific itinerary which was stated at the time of booking.

 

[Cheeky Girl]

With regards to naming, I was not sure about the legal consequences. But this company is big with bases everywhere NOT American and based on South Coast I think.

Graham /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[jamesjermain]

So, no secrets given away there, then!

 

[jimi]

Hi! I've done similar (although as bareboat) through choice ie oneway from Bodrum to Marmaris and it was great.

1)Was the issue that you did'nt know what you'd booked but the itinerary was as stated on the booking form
or
2)The itinerary was changed

if 1) then its your problem
if 2) then there may be a case to answer.

 

[Lizzie_B]

If it was not specifically advertised as a delivery trip deal, then complain bitterly and threaten them with the appropriate legal action, eg trading standards, etc.
A delivery trip at someone elses imposed schedule is NOT a holiday.
Most flotilla 'holidays' usually have a sufficiently relaxed pace to allow some time for people to do their own thing and relax.

 

[benjenbav]

Did they offer you a taste of the cat when you complained about the rations? If so, you may find that you were inadvertently assigned to the Trafalgar Experience flotilla.

 

[Sheff]

Hi Graham,

Unfortunately, I think you have answered your own question.

You state what you were expecting but then say paperwork mentions destination XXXX XXXX, which presumably conflicts with normal flotilla route throughout the Summer. It is normal early and late season for delivery trips back to winter base to be undertaken by paying customers (usually at a discount) and I assume this was one of them. They are usually clearly indicated in the brochure and if this is the case you don't have a complaint. Also you can hardly hold the company to blame for the wind direction on the first day /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I hope this hasn't put you off flotillas and if you can persuade the family to return I would recommend a flotilla in the Southern Ionian with Sailing Holidays. It is recognised as one of the lighter wind/shorter sailing distance destinations. Having said that you can get a gale/thunderstorm anywhere. No connection with SH other than as a satisfied customer.

Paul.

 

[phatcat1]

I would toatlly concur with Sheff on this one.

And recommend Sailing Holidays! I managed to get my family hooked on sailing through just this route!

Now they won't sail in Greece cause its too boring!! Fantastic!!

 

[Glyka]

[ QUOTE ]
Now they won't sail in Greece cause its too boring!! Fantastic!!


[/ QUOTE ]
Lol!!! Just try the Aegean /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. I agree with you though, the Ionian is perfect for beginners. Predictable weather, short distances, plenty of boats (you don't feel alone) and some nice places to visit. I did it once (and it was enough).

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I think it is all down to interpretation of the brochure, T&C's and the other paperwork given to you.

As an anecdote, I took my driving test in 1969 and my parents were horrified that every time I returned form a lesson, I recounted the number of 'Friends' we picked up and dropped off.

It turned out that the instructor was also operating as a mini cab and I was the unwitting driver.

Mind you, I preferred him to my first instructor who indicated which way he wanted me to turn by squeezing my thighs.

Oh so innocent in those days.