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[quote=AELB;512294]Hi Everyone
Just playing Devil's Advocate on the question of Included Dinners - I note that there have been comments on another thread (the Pompeii tour) about the poor quality of the included meals at the Hotel. I think it is worth bearing in mind that, where meals are included, the hotel/restaurant is having to work within a 'per head' budget that is set by JY which, in order to keep the overall costs of the holiday down, is not likely to be very large. Therefore, you don't usually get an extensive choice or local speciality dishes. Very few JY tours are advertised as being 'gourmet/foodie' trips and I feel that if food is one of the key focuses of an individual's requirements when choosing a holiday, then maybe those with included dinners are not the way to go. Personally (and this is purely my own choice) I use JY for the views, experiences and adventures. For me, food is a very small consideration and just a 'fueling stop' on the way to the next tour highlight.

I do appreciate that some people like to have an evening meal organised for them at the end of a long day of touring so that they don't have to go searching (especially if the hotel is out of town or doesn't have a restaurant). Some, however, like the flexibility of browsing what is on offer in a town or may have a craving for something particular like a steak or a curry. There are others (myself included) who don't always want a full meal and sometimes just want a bit of 'me time' relaxing in their rooms having picked up a snack for supper during the day. So for the latter, an included meal may be wasted. (The 'opt out' idea is interesting, so thanks Vickie for taking that forward). Another consideration is the type of holiday you are on - for example it can be quite comforting having all meals provided on a tour of a country where the food /hygiene standards may be very different and in which choosing a meal 'off the beaten track' could be a bit of a digestive lottery!!

Regarding Tour Managers, I have also had mixed experiences of their involvement in evening meal planning. Some are very helpful and, if they have done the tour previously, may have restaurant recommendations or even hand round sample menus, offer to make bookings and sometimes 'join the gang' to eat. Others seem to think their working day ends the moment the coach pulls up at the hotel and disappear to their rooms until scheduled departure time the following morning without even circulating their mobile number in case of an issue (I once even had one who bluntly refused to divulge her number saying that it was private and that if we needed help or got lost we should call the JY emergency help line!) At the other end of the spectrum, when I was the only single traveller on a tour with 14 couples, our TM made a point of seeking me out at the end of each day to see if I had plans or if I would like to dine with her.  In every industry you are going to get a mixed bag but in the nearly 12 years that I've been travelling with JY my experience has been generally good and there have only been a couple of duff ones.

To be fair to JY, I don't think there is an easy answer to the 'Included meals' debate as peoples expectations of their own holiday experience are going to vary. Basically, everyone is different and that's often what makes going on a JY Tour so interesting. Anyway, those are just my thoughts, happy travels everyone!
All the best
Mandy[/quote]

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Well said Mike. One option I would like to see is transfers. I have thousands of avios points, but can’t use them on group bookings. Other than some city breaks, it’s not realistic to opt out of group flights, then spend a fortune travelling for an hour or more to join the group at the hotel

Very disappointed to read some of these posts. My first JY trip was the Mount Rushmore and National Parks in 2014, and the TM, Wendy, was fantastic. She couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful, and was always in the foyer in the early evening to make sure nobody was on their own unless they wanted to be.

The European tours I’ve been on have had pretty good TMs (except for the Croation guy on the boat cruise 2 years ago).

I was certainly hoping that the Canadian Best of the West trip I’m going on (3 September) would be similar to the American one, as only one dinner is included, and the reason I go with JU is to have company for the evening meal. That’s more important to me than having to pay extra, though that too of course.

I agree with Roger that the reason meals are being reduced, far from reacting to customer feedback as JY would suggest, is more to do with keeping the headline price of the holiday down. While I’m quite happy to stroll around in the evening with others, providing that there is a good choice of restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, I also realise that JY will find it hard to please all of the people all of the time. Mandy’s (AELB) earlier post on this subject highlighted beautifully the pros and cons of this contentious issue.

For myself, I’m more concerned about the number of excursions that now appear as ‘optional’, rather than ‘included’, on many tours. Even the short eight day tours to Italy offer at least 3 optional excursions and when you consider the more expensive long haul tours that number increases to a maximum of 11 (Australian Highlights & America’s Western Wonders). The New Zealand tour offers 10 optional excursions, as does Canada East to West.

I realise that these examples are tours of a longer duration - up to 23 days in the case of the Australian tour - but to fund all of the available options, should people wish to do so, does add a large chunk of cash to the overall cost of the holiday.

One final thought: Vickie, in an earlier reply on this thread you seem to put great store by the fact that flights, hotels and Tour Managers are included in the holiday price. I’m bound to say that it wouldn’t be much of a holiday without them! Or will flights perhaps be the next thing that customers will have to fund separately?

Cheers

Mike

I have just received Riviera's brochure and notice that many of their European holidays are breakfast only.

In my view it can only be to bring down the headline price of the holiday.

Regards,

Roger

'Vickie' wrote:
Hi Jaya,
Apologies for the delay, I had thought I'd approved your post. However, I've just looked now and it appears unapproved, I have tried again several times - is it now showing for you?
If not, would you mind re-posting and I will approve that one as it may just be a glitch.
Thanks,
Vickie

Sorry meant to say Sarah has resoponded and not Sue.

Jaya

'Vickie' wrote:
Hi Jaya,
Apologies for the delay, I had thought I'd approved your post. However, I've just looked now and it appears unapproved, I have tried again several times - is it now showing for you?
If not, would you mind re-posting and I will approve that one as it may just be a glitch.
Thanks,
Vickie

Hi Vickie

I can't see my post but it must be there as Sue has responded!

Jaya

Hi all,

There are many factors we need to consider when pricing our tours, some which are impacted by aspects outside of our control. These include the cost of flights, hotel prices and inflation.

We always aim to provide incredible value for money, which is why so much is included on our trips, such as all breakfasts, flights, hotels, excursions and Tour Managers.

However, if costs increase elsewhere then the price of our tours may need to be adjusted, which is why they can rise even if meals are removed.

Our price promise means that if you book early, you will get the best price for your holiday or we’ll refund the difference. Since we launched our price promise last year, no customers who booked early have paid more than customers who booked later.

Thanks,

Vickie

Well said Jaya. Surely less included meals and excursions should equate to at least some reduction in the base cost.

Hi Jaya,

Apologies for the delay, I had thought I'd approved your post. However, I've just looked now and it appears unapproved, I have tried again several times - is it now showing for you?

If not, would you mind re-posting and I will approve that one as it may just be a glitch.

Thanks,

Vickie

'Vickie' wrote:
Hi Judy,
We listen to and value what you tell us, and a common theme has been that you want more flexibility and freedom around meals and excursions. So for 2019, we’ve reduced a small number of meals and trips from some of our tours.
Please do not worry about finding somewhere to eat on evenings where meals are not included. Your Tour Manager will be prepared to give you advice on local places to eat, and should a group of you wish to eat together, they will happily help arrange this and even join you for your evening meal, should you wish them to.
Regarding tour costs, we always aim to provide incredible value for money, which is why so much is included on our trips, such as all breakfasts, flights, hotels, excursions and Tour Managers.
However, if costs increase elsewhere then the price of our tours may need to be adjusted. We’ve worked hard to hold several 2018 tours at the same price for 2019, but they may have to increase if costs rise.
Our price promise means that if you book early, you will get the best price for your holiday or we’ll refund the difference. Since we launched our price promise last year, no customers who booked early have paid more than customers who booked later.
Many thanks,
Vickie

Hi Vickie,

Most companies provide hotels, flights, some excursions and TM’s as well.

Sylvia

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