Highlights of Kvarner to North Dalmatia Cruise (Standard Boat Category)

Traveler Reviews

• S

  Susan

  October 12th, 2024
  2
  First, it was really strange that 1- 2 weeks before our trip I received an email saying that the original boat we...
  First, it was really strange that 1- 2 weeks before our trip I received an email saying that the original boat we booked was not available. I booked this in January 2024, our trip was at the end of August. I did get a choice to cancel the trip (which I should have) or take the superior boat but not with the itinerary we originally booked and wanted or take a standard boat w/the same itinerary. As there were not many boat tours from Rijeka (we’ve already visited southern Croatia) we chose the one w/the itinerary that was offered and paid for on the superior boat. At the last minute before our trip, you notified us of the above change. You didn’t give me an honest story about why all of a sudden this superior was not available. As when we booked it, you could have told us that up front. About the boat: very old, amenities poor, instead of a double bed, I had to climb up into a bunk bed, As a senior I am in good condition but the ladder to the top bed wasn’t attached anywhere on the floor and swung, which my husband had to hold, so it wouldn’t fling me off of it or the ladder totally come off the top rail. Our A/C wasn’t working in our room (which was VERY small), good thing they had another room that we could take with working A/C. It was really humid weather and hot! The wall surrounding the upper bunk, had dried blood streaks on it, the in room safe didn’t work, our dinner food was horrible! Overcooked, mostly cheap fish and always fried. Few vegetables. Breakfast was ok, nothing hot to eat. When we had the opportunity to eat out when in port, we were elated! The zodiac type boat for use if necessary, wasn’t fully blown up, no smoke detectors in rooms. There were life vest in our room, thank God, these were not necessary. The hygiene and cleanliness was very poor, actually sub-standard. The bathroom was not clean. The folks running the boat all were very pleasant and seemed to know what they were doing. I had written to you regarding the licensure of the boat we would be on at the beginning when we were supposed to be on the superior boat, I doubt that the standard boat which we were on had been inspected. I was told all boats are licensed, I didn’t see this on the boat anywhere. The standard for this boat was not acceptable. I think we should have been informed about this, instead of just brushing me off when I inquired about licensure. The actual tour of islands was fine, the water gorgeous and enjoyable to swim in. We had only one tour, communication between boat crew and tour guides was not good. One tour we were supposed to go on one day, we waited and wait and the crew didn’t really inform us or know why there wasn’t a tour guide to meet us. Some of us just went out to see the town on our own, while others did and then came back and said they got a short tour. The boat had lost one anchor on our trip, but I’m glad we had another. I did not feel safe on that boat. I saw the boat we were SUPPOSED to be on many times, as when in port we walked through it as we were tied up to many other boats and had to do the same for all. I could not recommend this boat tour, operator and Tourradar company to anyone. We were very dissatisfied with our whole accommodations, meals and boat.Show more
  Traveled in August 2024
  

  Reply from: Gulliver Travel

  Dear Susan, we are very sorry for your disappointment with all the situations and this cruise. We agree that you have made a booking months before but unfortunately 5 weeks before the cruise, we got information that superior boat will not be possible for this date. Some of the ships are occasionally chartered for private groups, making them unavailable for individual bookings, but still visible in the ports, so that is why you could see the boat in some ports. We have immediately and honestly informed you about the issue and the only thing we could do is to suggest you alternatives: a) of the same category boat on different itinerary / b) of lower category boat but upgraded cabin on main deck on itinerary you booked / c) or cancellation. We have honestly informed you that beds on lower category will probably be bunk beds, that comfort and size of standard boat is lower that on superior, and we suggested you to reconsider option A, as this was better comfort solution and partially the tour would visit places as in your original itinerary. All boats used for the cruise are licensed and regularly checked by authorities that give them all needed permissions for the cruise business. We booked the alternative you have chosen, with free upgrade to main deck and also compensation that we approved you immediately with this change of the tour. We regret that we were not given the opportunity to address the matter during your trip. Despite providing contact details for our local representatives in your travel documents (including a QR code in the salon), we were unable to resolve the issue or offer alternatives, such as a cabin change, due to the lack of notification. We hope that you still managed to enjoy the time spent in the ports and visiting our islands and coast!

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• A

  Anonymous

  October 12th, 2024
  3
  First, it was really strange that 1- 2 weeks before our trip I received an email saying that the original boat we...
  First, it was really strange that 1- 2 weeks before our trip I received an email saying that the original boat we booked was not available. I booked this in January 2024, our trip was at the end of August. I did get a choice to cancel the trip (which I should have) or take the superior boat but not with the itinerary we originally booked and wanted or take a standard boat w/the same itinerary. As there were not many boat tours from Rijeka (we’ve already visited southern Croatia) we chose the one w/the itinerary that was offered and paid for on the superior boat. At the last minute before our trip, you notified us of the above change. You didn’t give me an honest story about why all of a sudden this superior was not available. As when we booked it, you could have told us that up front. About the boat: very old, amenities poor, instead of a double bed, I had to climb up into a bunk bed, As a senior I am in good condition but the ladder to the top bed wasn’t attached anywhere on the floor and swung, which my husband had to hold, so it wouldn’t fling me off of it or the ladder totally come off the top rail. Our A/C wasn’t working in our room (which was VERY small), good thing they had another room that we could take with working A/C. It was really humid weather and hot! The wall surrounding the upper bunk, had dried blood streaks on it, the in room safe didn’t work, our dinner food was horrible! Overcooked, mostly cheap fish and always fried. Few vegetables. Breakfast was ok, nothing hot to eat. When we had the opportunity to eat out when in port, we were elated! The zodiac type boat for use if necessary, wasn’t fully blown up, no smoke detectors in rooms. There were life vest in our room, thank God, these were not necessary. The hygiene and cleanliness was very poor, actually sub-standard. The bathroom was not clean. The folks running the boat all were very pleasant and seemed to know what they were doing. I had written to you regarding the licensure of the boat we would be on at the beginning when we were supposed to be on the superior boat, I doubt that the standard boat which we were on had been inspected. I was told all boats are licensed, I didn’t see this on the boat anywhere. The standard for this boat was not acceptable. I think we should have been informed about this, instead of just brushing me off when I inquired about licensure. The actual tour of islands was fine, the water gorgeous and enjoyable to swim in. We had only one tour, communication between boat crew and tour guides was not good. One tour we were supposed to go on one day, we waited and wait and the crew didn’t really inform us or know why there wasn’t a tour guide to meet us. Some of us just went out to see the town on our own, while others did and then came back and said they got a short tour. The boat had lost one anchor on our trip, but I’m glad we had another. I did not feel safe on that boat. I saw the boat we were SUPPOSED to be on many times, as when in port we walked through it as we were tied up to many other boats and had to do the same for all. I could not recommend this boat tour, operator and Tourradar company to anyone. We were very dissatisfied with our whole accommodations, meals and boat.Show more
  Traveled in August 2024
  

  Reply from: Gulliver Travel

  Hi, we have just noticed that we received two same reviews, this one sent as anonymous that we unfortunately did not reply to. All our comments are sent in second review.

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