I have another question - and I do appreciate the guidance!
This was in our info packet packing list. "Headphones with a standard jack for use with the audio devices featured on our guided excursions."
As I recall, the Vox box on our ESW trip had heaphones that seemed ok. Did others bring their own for this trip? At this point we only have bluetooth air pods and similar devices, nothing with a standard jack, so I don't know if we should be looking for something to bring with us or if this just is just a suggestion (kind of like a cocktail dress) that may not be needed.
I understood 'drivers/guides' to mean transfer drivers from and to the airport and guides to mean local guides, not tour directors. Of course, Sam, you are correct......................most of the coach drivers and all tour directors on land tours are tipped by the traveler.
I know cash is cash and worrying to carry around. You can give them dollars, they are so easy to put into any bank account in England it’s not like in the USA. The TD might be American and the driver will probably be taking a vacation to the US. It’s a popular cheap vacation spot for Brits…if they haven’t been scared off recently.
Tauck always says you can tip in dollars.
Well, the TDs might be Americans but the bus drivers I’ve had have all been locals, which makes them invaluable because they really know the area, and I think it’s presumptuous to suggest they will be traveling to the US. If you have been told in one way or another - like I was on this tour - that the bus driver would like local currency and you have a fairly easy way to do so like an ATM on the way - I would try to honor the request. But that’s just me…
On my trip they had those ear listening pieces that kind of fit over your entire ear and they also had some for us if we chose that looked like the old ear buds with a cable connector except they were blue. I find those over the entire ear type to be really uncomfortable (maybe the shape of my ear - not sure) and not to have great sound, anyway…so I have traveled with an old set of ear buds with the cable that I just had around home for several years - oftentimes they work on the plane as well if you don’t like head phones. Mine worked with the Vox box. They did not ask us to bring any - I just usually do just in case…maybe that has changed.
Rather than go buy new ones just for this trip - which are probably hard to find now with a cable since I think they’ve mostly gone to the blue tooth kind across the industry - I’d give Tauck a call and ask if they will have some kind of ear listening device, assuming of course, that you like the over the ear kind which is what they usually have.
While it might have been tongue in cheek about drivers visiting the US, Tauck still say you can tip in dollars or the local equivalent if you wish. Think about the large amount of money a driver is going to receive from around 40 people on a bus at $10 per person, per day. I’m sure most will put at least some of that money in the bank.And there will be accounts where there is no transactions fee. Most British banks supply all kinds of currency, it’s not like the US where it’s a big deal if you want foreign cash, in our large metropolitan area, we have to go to a particular bank branch or order from our local bank up to two weeks before we travel.
Ear buds. I always travel with those cheap ones, I actually prefer the over ear ones. The Voxes are old fashioned, When we travel with other companies their devices are much more sophisticated. On a recent tour, you did not have to turn the device on or off, it only used the battery power when the guide was talking, and when not it went into sleep mode I guess. Much smaller too.
Well - this is what AI says..."Yes, most traditional British high-street banks charge a non-sterling transaction fee (typically 2.75% to 2.99%) or an international wire transfer fee when converting British Pounds (GBP) to US Dollars (USD). They also usually include a hidden markup within the exchange rate itself." And, "Yes, most traditional British banks do charge a fee to convert US dollars (USD) to pound sterling (GBP). These fees usually come as a non-sterling transaction fee (ranging from 2% to 3%) or an exchange rate markup where they add a percentage margin on top of the actual market exchange rate."
Assuming this is true and not just someone thinking they know...if you give $10 USD/day, they will likely end up with less after they convert when the bank or currency transaction company take out their exchange rate fees and hidden markup fees.
If you have an account at a bank and a regular customer and have a monthly paycheck going in, there are perks like no fees. That is what it was like when I lived there. Has that changed, I can’t say. So I’m assuming the drivers have such accounts.
Regardless of what they "might do" or what a bank "might charge with transaction fees" if I am asked to provide local currency, and I can do so without significant inconvenience, I will try....but like I said, that's just me. Honestly, going to an ATM in country - you're not carrying around any cash from the US so there is not that worry for some folks...why wouldn't you provide local currency? Don't respond....that was rhetorical.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could tip the TD and drivers (when recommended) like you do in a restaurant when paying with a credit card. You aren't asked to bring cash to give to your server. Allocating the credit charge between the restaurant and server is done behind the scenes with no impact to the customer.
Seems like something similar could/should be worked out with Tauck/TDs/Drivers to relieve the burden of large amounts of cash from the customer.
JaneP, on the day you visited Sudeley Castle, approximately what time did you return to Bath. Just looking at things to do that afternoon. We are going several days early and staying in Bath so if all plans roughly work out we would have already seen the 1 Royal, Crescent, Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey.
Ben - I don't recall exactly, but it was early afternoon -- that was the day I went to the Roman baths in the afternoon and ate at Sally Lunn for dinner and my friends went to the SPA before we went to the Roman baths and there was time to do all that.
Also, Sam - they include it in the price for the Roam tours -- they could do the same for regular Tauck but for some reason think we like handing the TD and bus driver a big wad of cash at the end. I think its kind of embarrassing and wish they'd just include it since they expect us to pay it....
‘ Voluntary tips: For regular land tours, gratuities for your Tauck Director and motorcoach driver are not included in your fare and are completely voluntary.
Tauck states that tips can be given in U.S. dollars (USD) or an equivalent amount in local currency
Tauck Tipping Guidelines/Company Policy: Explicitly bans directors from asking guests for gratuities.
While perhaps technically “voluntary,” Tauck clearly expects us to pay the gratuities since they tell us the expected amount and remind us it is a significant portion of their compensation.
This is from the ROAM FAQs: ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED?
All appropriate gratuities for Roam Directors, drivers, luggage handlers, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers are included – as are gratuities for ship staff and Cruise Directors on river and small ship cruises. It's one more way Roam by Tauck delivers ease, value, and thoughtful care – so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Why not just do this for regular Tauck? River and ocean cruises I have been on with other companies include it and certain Tauck trips include it (my Peru/Galapagos trip for example) but not all. I would appreciate the experience and like not having to deal with the logistics and concerns about hauling extra cash around that so many people express.
Jane, you say you don’t tip drivers on the days they don’t drive you anywhere., so effectively I’m paying more for my tours than you as I give a tip based on the entire tour.. So yes, I might be in favor of including the tip in the price of the tour so it’s fair on everyone, we will all be paying the same.
I think I was told at some point to tip the drivers for the days they drive - if you have 2 drivers each for half the time you tip each for the days they provided service, you wouldn’t tip them each for the entire tour - it’s no different. And, I don’t know that you are paying more overall - I pay a single supplement so I pay thousands more and a paltry $10 for maybe 2 days doesn’t come close to suggesting you pay more, plus I usually provide extra based on superb service…
I just don’t get all the discussions about single supplements. Clearly, the difference is that tour prices are based on two people per hotel room. If one person stays in an hotel room, the price remains the same. Single supplement prices have increased more because Tauck chooses more and more expensive hotels for their tours. Also, I’ve been shown the rooms of a couple of single people on tours by them, one was huge compared to our room. In general, singles are not given smaller rooms.
Tauck offers some cabins on river cruises that have no single supplement. Some tour dates offer specials savings, probability on less popularity dates where room rates are less.
Other companies don’t charge as much in single supplements mainly because the hotels are less expensive, so the supplement is less. Some companies offer ‘room shares’ we have been on several tours where people have met up that way and continued to travel together on future tours. Some companies specialize in tours for singles, others specialize in women only tours
Well - perhaps you don't get all the discussion about single supplements because you don't have to pay it. We are all taking the same trip - why should I have to pay $5000 more than you individually pay? Since the hotel picks the rooms you never know what you are going to get - Tauck probably pays one big contract fee for 24-35 rooms and not by individual room so they could take that price and break it up amongst the travelers so every individual pays the same amount. If there are two of you, you still each pay the same amount. Traveling as a single, I can tell you that single rooms are often smaller - not all the time...but often they are. Its up to the hotel, not Tauck, what room they give you...but they do not, in my opinion, justify a single paying $5000 more per trip, which is what Tauck is charging for some trips.
The "solo Traveler" savings trips - for the cruises they put you in the crappiest, smallest cabin - often the kind with no balcony and maybe half a window way up at the top oh the wall...there is no way saving $300 over the course of the trip justifies staying in the crappy cabin - just my opinion...
Also just me, but I would NEVER share a room with a stranger. Yikes - that just creeps me out. I've traveled with friends who I've known for many years....but never a stranger I just met.
JaneP - do you know about another high end company that offers 50% off the single supplement after two trips with them? I hate the single supplement, too. I'm with you on not sharing with a stranger, but I never mind staying in the lower deck cabins on river cruises. Saving thousands (way more than the $300 you quoted) pays for my airfare, and I'm rarely in the cabin anyway. Personally, I think balconies are overrated.
Say the hotel charges $1000 or more per room, as Tauck hotels often do these days, then if you are on a ten day tour, you can’t expect Tauck to charge you $5000 less when you are taking up a room that they could get double that for. It might be interesting to talk to one of the people who price tours to explain the breakdown to you.
Tauck can’t break down prices based on the number of travelers for rooms, they don’t know how many people will actually take the tours. I can’t tell you the last time we were m a full tour.
We all have choices of companies to use. These days we travel with other companies too, our choice is based on itinerary and if that means a less fancy hotel, that’s fine.
You have a choice, accept the high supplement, don’t travel or find another tour company or like minded companion.
Recently two friends of ours toured together, she is married but her husband cannot travel to some places these days, so she went with a mutual gay male friend instead who is also maybe fifteen years younger than her. They had a blast, I think they probably shared a room as they both are budget conscious.
JaneP - You don't like the single supplement, but you'd be OK if they divide the total room costs, for all rooms and divide it evenly between all the guests. In this approach the couples would be paying twice as much per square foot of room as the singles. 😁
The price per person, when you have three in a room is less per person than when you have only two in a room, just as the price per person is less when you have two in a room than when you only have one in a room. Only certain tours allow three to a room.
It is just a fact of tour pricing, typically, that the more people per room the less per person cost of the tour.
You can argue that the difference in price is way too much, but to argue that no additional cost is fair when you only have one in a room vs a couple that have two in a room just doesn't pass the logic test.
Why does it defy logic, Sam? Two people in a room use more water, use more towels, use more of the toiletries and eat more of the snack food, eat more food at the buffet breakfast - or perhaps more logically - I use half the towels, half the water, half the food, etc...why should I have to pay more?
Comments
Mary - there was also an ATM very close to the hotel in Bath if you needed it.
MaryT, which tour date will you be on? We’re on the September 13 th
Ben, we will be ahead of you - our tour starts on September 2nd.
I have another question - and I do appreciate the guidance!
This was in our info packet packing list. "Headphones with a standard jack for use with the audio devices featured on our guided excursions."
As I recall, the Vox box on our ESW trip had heaphones that seemed ok. Did others bring their own for this trip? At this point we only have bluetooth air pods and similar devices, nothing with a standard jack, so I don't know if we should be looking for something to bring with us or if this just is just a suggestion (kind of like a cocktail dress) that may not be needed.
I understood 'drivers/guides' to mean transfer drivers from and to the airport and guides to mean local guides, not tour directors. Of course, Sam, you are correct......................most of the coach drivers and all tour directors on land tours are tipped by the traveler.
I know cash is cash and worrying to carry around. You can give them dollars, they are so easy to put into any bank account in England it’s not like in the USA. The TD might be American and the driver will probably be taking a vacation to the US. It’s a popular cheap vacation spot for Brits…if they haven’t been scared off recently.
Tauck always says you can tip in dollars.
Well, the TDs might be Americans but the bus drivers I’ve had have all been locals, which makes them invaluable because they really know the area, and I think it’s presumptuous to suggest they will be traveling to the US. If you have been told in one way or another - like I was on this tour - that the bus driver would like local currency and you have a fairly easy way to do so like an ATM on the way - I would try to honor the request. But that’s just me…
On my trip they had those ear listening pieces that kind of fit over your entire ear and they also had some for us if we chose that looked like the old ear buds with a cable connector except they were blue. I find those over the entire ear type to be really uncomfortable (maybe the shape of my ear - not sure) and not to have great sound, anyway…so I have traveled with an old set of ear buds with the cable that I just had around home for several years - oftentimes they work on the plane as well if you don’t like head phones. Mine worked with the Vox box. They did not ask us to bring any - I just usually do just in case…maybe that has changed.
Rather than go buy new ones just for this trip - which are probably hard to find now with a cable since I think they’ve mostly gone to the blue tooth kind across the industry - I’d give Tauck a call and ask if they will have some kind of ear listening device, assuming of course, that you like the over the ear kind which is what they usually have.
While it might have been tongue in cheek about drivers visiting the US, Tauck still say you can tip in dollars or the local equivalent if you wish. Think about the large amount of money a driver is going to receive from around 40 people on a bus at $10 per person, per day. I’m sure most will put at least some of that money in the bank.And there will be accounts where there is no transactions fee. Most British banks supply all kinds of currency, it’s not like the US where it’s a big deal if you want foreign cash, in our large metropolitan area, we have to go to a particular bank branch or order from our local bank up to two weeks before we travel.
Ear buds. I always travel with those cheap ones, I actually prefer the over ear ones. The Voxes are old fashioned, When we travel with other companies their devices are much more sophisticated. On a recent tour, you did not have to turn the device on or off, it only used the battery power when the guide was talking, and when not it went into sleep mode I guess. Much smaller too.
Well - this is what AI says..."Yes, most traditional British high-street banks charge a non-sterling transaction fee (typically 2.75% to 2.99%) or an international wire transfer fee when converting British Pounds (GBP) to US Dollars (USD). They also usually include a hidden markup within the exchange rate itself." And, "Yes, most traditional British banks do charge a fee to convert US dollars (USD) to pound sterling (GBP). These fees usually come as a non-sterling transaction fee (ranging from 2% to 3%) or an exchange rate markup where they add a percentage margin on top of the actual market exchange rate."
Assuming this is true and not just someone thinking they know...if you give $10 USD/day, they will likely end up with less after they convert when the bank or currency transaction company take out their exchange rate fees and hidden markup fees.
If you have an account at a bank and a regular customer and have a monthly paycheck going in, there are perks like no fees. That is what it was like when I lived there. Has that changed, I can’t say. So I’m assuming the drivers have such accounts.
And just maybe the coach drivers swap US Dollars received with the TDs for local currency. That's what I figured might happen...............
Good idea
Regardless of what they "might do" or what a bank "might charge with transaction fees" if I am asked to provide local currency, and I can do so without significant inconvenience, I will try....but like I said, that's just me. Honestly, going to an ATM in country - you're not carrying around any cash from the US so there is not that worry for some folks...why wouldn't you provide local currency? Don't respond....that was rhetorical.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could tip the TD and drivers (when recommended) like you do in a restaurant when paying with a credit card. You aren't asked to bring cash to give to your server. Allocating the credit charge between the restaurant and server is done behind the scenes with no impact to the customer.
Seems like something similar could/should be worked out with Tauck/TDs/Drivers to relieve the burden of large amounts of cash from the customer.
Mary T - There are always ATM's available throughout the trip.
JaneP, on the day you visited Sudeley Castle, approximately what time did you return to Bath. Just looking at things to do that afternoon. We are going several days early and staying in Bath so if all plans roughly work out we would have already seen the 1 Royal, Crescent, Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey.
Ben - I don't recall exactly, but it was early afternoon -- that was the day I went to the Roman baths in the afternoon and ate at Sally Lunn for dinner and my friends went to the SPA before we went to the Roman baths and there was time to do all that.
Also, Sam - they include it in the price for the Roam tours -- they could do the same for regular Tauck but for some reason think we like handing the TD and bus driver a big wad of cash at the end. I think its kind of embarrassing and wish they'd just include it since they expect us to pay it....
Thanks for the info
‘ Voluntary tips: For regular land tours, gratuities for your Tauck Director and motorcoach driver are not included in your fare and are completely voluntary.
Tauck states that tips can be given in U.S. dollars (USD) or an equivalent amount in local currency
Tauck Tipping Guidelines/Company Policy: Explicitly bans directors from asking guests for gratuities.
While perhaps technically “voluntary,” Tauck clearly expects us to pay the gratuities since they tell us the expected amount and remind us it is a significant portion of their compensation.
This is from the ROAM FAQs: ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED?
All appropriate gratuities for Roam Directors, drivers, luggage handlers, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers are included – as are gratuities for ship staff and Cruise Directors on river and small ship cruises. It's one more way Roam by Tauck delivers ease, value, and thoughtful care – so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Why not just do this for regular Tauck? River and ocean cruises I have been on with other companies include it and certain Tauck trips include it (my Peru/Galapagos trip for example) but not all. I would appreciate the experience and like not having to deal with the logistics and concerns about hauling extra cash around that so many people express.
Jane, you say you don’t tip drivers on the days they don’t drive you anywhere., so effectively I’m paying more for my tours than you as I give a tip based on the entire tour.. So yes, I might be in favor of including the tip in the price of the tour so it’s fair on everyone, we will all be paying the same.
I think I was told at some point to tip the drivers for the days they drive - if you have 2 drivers each for half the time you tip each for the days they provided service, you wouldn’t tip them each for the entire tour - it’s no different. And, I don’t know that you are paying more overall - I pay a single supplement so I pay thousands more and a paltry $10 for maybe 2 days doesn’t come close to suggesting you pay more, plus I usually provide extra based on superb service…
I just don’t get all the discussions about single supplements. Clearly, the difference is that tour prices are based on two people per hotel room. If one person stays in an hotel room, the price remains the same. Single supplement prices have increased more because Tauck chooses more and more expensive hotels for their tours. Also, I’ve been shown the rooms of a couple of single people on tours by them, one was huge compared to our room. In general, singles are not given smaller rooms.
Tauck offers some cabins on river cruises that have no single supplement. Some tour dates offer specials savings, probability on less popularity dates where room rates are less.
Other companies don’t charge as much in single supplements mainly because the hotels are less expensive, so the supplement is less. Some companies offer ‘room shares’ we have been on several tours where people have met up that way and continued to travel together on future tours. Some companies specialize in tours for singles, others specialize in women only tours
Well - perhaps you don't get all the discussion about single supplements because you don't have to pay it. We are all taking the same trip - why should I have to pay $5000 more than you individually pay? Since the hotel picks the rooms you never know what you are going to get - Tauck probably pays one big contract fee for 24-35 rooms and not by individual room so they could take that price and break it up amongst the travelers so every individual pays the same amount. If there are two of you, you still each pay the same amount. Traveling as a single, I can tell you that single rooms are often smaller - not all the time...but often they are. Its up to the hotel, not Tauck, what room they give you...but they do not, in my opinion, justify a single paying $5000 more per trip, which is what Tauck is charging for some trips.
The "solo Traveler" savings trips - for the cruises they put you in the crappiest, smallest cabin - often the kind with no balcony and maybe half a window way up at the top oh the wall...there is no way saving $300 over the course of the trip justifies staying in the crappy cabin - just my opinion...
Also just me, but I would NEVER share a room with a stranger. Yikes - that just creeps me out. I've traveled with friends who I've known for many years....but never a stranger I just met.
JaneP - do you know about another high end company that offers 50% off the single supplement after two trips with them? I hate the single supplement, too. I'm with you on not sharing with a stranger, but I never mind staying in the lower deck cabins on river cruises. Saving thousands (way more than the $300 you quoted) pays for my airfare, and I'm rarely in the cabin anyway. Personally, I think balconies are overrated.
Say the hotel charges $1000 or more per room, as Tauck hotels often do these days, then if you are on a ten day tour, you can’t expect Tauck to charge you $5000 less when you are taking up a room that they could get double that for. It might be interesting to talk to one of the people who price tours to explain the breakdown to you.
Tauck can’t break down prices based on the number of travelers for rooms, they don’t know how many people will actually take the tours. I can’t tell you the last time we were m a full tour.
We all have choices of companies to use. These days we travel with other companies too, our choice is based on itinerary and if that means a less fancy hotel, that’s fine.
You have a choice, accept the high supplement, don’t travel or find another tour company or like minded companion.
Recently two friends of ours toured together, she is married but her husband cannot travel to some places these days, so she went with a mutual gay male friend instead who is also maybe fifteen years younger than her. They had a blast, I think they probably shared a room as they both are budget conscious.
JaneP - You don't like the single supplement, but you'd be OK if they divide the total room costs, for all rooms and divide it evenly between all the guests. In this approach the couples would be paying twice as much per square foot of room as the singles. 😁
The price per person, when you have three in a room is less per person than when you have only two in a room, just as the price per person is less when you have two in a room than when you only have one in a room. Only certain tours allow three to a room.
It is just a fact of tour pricing, typically, that the more people per room the less per person cost of the tour.
You can argue that the difference in price is way too much, but to argue that no additional cost is fair when you only have one in a room vs a couple that have two in a room just doesn't pass the logic test.
Why does it defy logic, Sam? Two people in a room use more water, use more towels, use more of the toiletries and eat more of the snack food, eat more food at the buffet breakfast - or perhaps more logically - I use half the towels, half the water, half the food, etc...why should I have to pay more?