Boating Excursion - Hot To Decide

[Smellsey]

Hi brides!!

 

I am trying to determine what to do about my excursion. We have decided not to do OOT Bags and do a boat/catamaran excursion for everybody. Presently we have 55 adults, 2 kids under the age of 2 and 4 kids over the age of 2 -12 attending. So 63 total bodies. Plus about 8 more people that tell us "they are coming" so that would put us at 71 people. I went to a bunch of different places and received quotes for all. I was trying to choose between Samba Catamarans and H20 Cruise boat. Both were similar prices but the Samba is 7 hours for 60 people at $2750 plus $10 pp docking fee and I thought 7 hours would be so perfect. This was before I was counting in the 8 other people who say they are coming..

 

So I figured ok, 63 people are booked to come but out of those I have my FI's grandfather who won't want to come, an aunt who won't want to come, an grandma who won't want to come, plus 2 babies under the age of 2 who I am assuming wouldn't want to bring their babies out on so then I took 7 people off that list and thought a 60 person boat would be perfect. Then if I am mistaken about a couple I have a little room and if not, then we are more space. Well now these 8 people are telling "We are coming, we are for sure coming." So I went back to Samba for a price and the next size up boat is for 90 people and the price is almost DOUBLE. So instead of $3950 I am looking at over $7000! Now that is insane.. that is more than my trip for 2 weeks! So I went back to H20 and the price is $4402 for 71 people but that is only 4 hours and I really wanted a catamaran.

 

I have no clue what to do. We are getting married January 7th so I wanted the catamaran to be on January 9th. My FI's father said I should just book the 60 person one and then the day before we will figure out who doesn't get to go but I don't really think that is fair and neither does my FI. If all of those people that I said I don't "think" will go, end up wanting to go then I really am screwing over 10 people.

 

What do you all think?..

my topic is supposed to say "how" lol.. must be a long day for me haha

[be1122]

@@Smellsey We are doing a private Catamaran as well!  Only we have 40 people going.  Have you thought about getting a price quote for the 4 hour excursion instead of the 7 hour?  We figured the guests could eat at the resort and then do the Catamaran.  You would still be able to snorkel, go to Isla Mujeras and take flight on the spinnaker..  Hope this helps:)

Edited April 21, 2015 by be1122

[Smellsey]

@@be1122 yes.. I would have to go with a different company though because Samba does only 4 hours. It just seems such a shame to do less hours for the same price as a 7 hour one. These all include open bar and lunch with I loved about it. I just think my guests are traveling so far that I want to do this for them. I am so so so torn though. That may be the way that I have to go.

[vancouverpetunia]

@@Smellsey Any idea when you'll find out whether those extra 8 guests are really coming? Do you have some sort of booking deadline coming up? I understand wanting to get it booked early, but I bet you still have lots of time to confirm with the excursion company, so maybe you can just wait a bit? Plus maybe there are some people who won't be interested for other reasons (I have one or two guests who are scared of boats/water, for example). Don't know if that helps. Good luck!

[dreamweddings]

Hi brides!!

 

I am trying to determine what to do about my excursion. We have decided not to do OOT Bags and do a boat/catamaran excursion for everybody. Presently we have 55 adults, 2 kids under the age of 2 and 4 kids over the age of 2 -12 attending. So 63 total bodies. Plus about 8 more people that tell us "they are coming" so that would put us at 71 people. I went to a bunch of different places and received quotes for all. I was trying to choose between Samba Catamarans and H20 Cruise boat. Both were similar prices but the Samba is 7 hours for 60 people at $2750 plus $10 pp docking fee and I thought 7 hours would be so perfect. This was before I was counting in the 8 other people who say they are coming..

 

So I figured ok, 63 people are booked to come but out of those I have my FI's grandfather who won't want to come, an aunt who won't want to come, an grandma who won't want to come, plus 2 babies under the age of 2 who I am assuming wouldn't want to bring their babies out on so then I took 7 people off that list and thought a 60 person boat would be perfect. Then if I am mistaken about a couple I have a little room and if not, then we are more space. Well now these 8 people are telling "We are coming, we are for sure coming." So I went back to Samba for a price and the next size up boat is for 90 people and the price is almost DOUBLE. So instead of $3950 I am looking at over $7000! Now that is insane.. that is more than my trip for 2 weeks! So I went back to H20 and the price is $4402 for 71 people but that is only 4 hours and I really wanted a catamaran.

 

I have no clue what to do. We are getting married January 7th so I wanted the catamaran to be on January 9th. My FI's father said I should just book the 60 person one and then the day before we will figure out who doesn't get to go but I don't really think that is fair and neither does my FI. If all of those people that I said I don't "think" will go, end up wanting to go then I really am screwing over 10 people.

 

What do you all think?..

my topic is supposed to say "how" lol.. must be a long day for me haha

Hey Smellsey,

 

 

Have you checked out this one?  they are very reasonable , i actually have one of my clients doing this tour next month.  

http://www.caribbeancarnaval.com/

 

 

Happy Planning!

[JenniferH114]

@Smellsey - I think you put the information out there for the boat tour and require some sort of RSVP from people. That way you will know for certain (or at least closer to it). You may be surprised to find that some people just don't like going on boats and others may not want to take the time away from their day because they would prefer to do other things. Then again, everyone may end up saying yes, but at least you'll know.

[nadiakat17]

I agree with you ... We did an 8 hour cat and I wish it was longer! The trip was almost better than the wedding. I would start by doing a survey ( this is what we did) and see who really wants to go . Then I would try to bargain with that boat company or do more research to see what is out there. I'd also inform the people that haven't booked yet that you need final boat counts so if they don't book soon they are out of luck for boat

[ktov09]

@@Smellsey I will be getting married on May 8th and on the 7th we booked the H20 for one of their private cruises. If you have time to confirm I can tell you all about it when I return. I know we decided to go with a yacht instead of cat so kids and elderly people could join since there is more room and air conditioning if necessary. We will have about 68 people.

[Smellsey]

@@Smellsey Any idea when you'll find out whether those extra 8 guests are really coming? Do you have some sort of booking deadline coming up? I understand wanting to get it booked early, but I bet you still have lots of time to confirm with the excursion company, so maybe you can just wait a bit? Plus maybe there are some people who won't be interested for other reasons (I have one or two guests who are scared of boats/water, for example). Don't know if that helps. Good luck!

Well they are all booking on their own, 2 of those people I don't even know if they will stay at our resort. I have been hounding them since September and (since it is all my fi's guests) I told my Fiance, I don't even want to count them in the numbers until they tell me something is settled. I don't know what they are waiting for and it is irritating. My fiancé's mom told me to call them and tell them I need to know by August 1st or something just to make them make a move.

 

 

@Smellsey - I think you put the information out there for the boat tour and require some sort of RSVP from people. That way you will know for certain (or at least closer to it). You may be surprised to find that some people just don't like going on boats and others may not want to take the time away from their day because they would prefer to do other things. Then again, everyone may end up saying yes, but at least you'll know.

I think that is what I am going to do. I don't want to make assumptions and look like an ass.

 

I agree with you ... We did an 8 hour cat and I wish it was longer! The trip was almost better than the wedding. I would start by doing a survey ( this is what we did) and see who really wants to go . Then I would try to bargain with that boat company or do more research to see what is out there. I'd also inform the people that haven't booked yet that you need final boat counts so if they don't book soon they are out of luck for boat

I have tried to negotiate with Samba and they are the best price by far. I really hope I only have 60 people who want to come and then I wouldn't even be debating this lol.

 

 

@@Smellsey I will be getting married on May 8th and on the 7th we booked the H20 for one of their private cruises. If you have time to confirm I can tell you all about it when I return. I know we decided to go with a yacht instead of cat so kids and elderly people could join since there is more room and air conditioning if necessary. We will have about 68 people.

yes please tell me all about it when you return!! My elderly/children wouldn't come whether it was on a yacht or a boat so really it is about the price. I prefer a catamaran but I am not set on it.