I am walking the Camino in September and we have only three evening meals included and five different hotels meaning we have to find somewhere to eat, and pay for dinner, on these evenings.  Your holidays have increased in cost recently and this another additional cost. 

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

I know it’s been a while since I travelled with JY, but I have travelled in the past approximately 10 times and travelled the world with JY.

Unless things have changed since my last tour, I think what you are saying might not be correct.

Where us the clients have to find a evening meal  (which has been the case on most of the tours I have done and it’s something I like doing) the tour managers have left us very much to our own devices to locate food places. I have never ever had a tour manager arrange for us to eat somewhere, and I have never ever had a tour manager join with me or a group on a meal out that has to be self located. I think many would have been appalled if I had asked them to join in with us.  So I am not sure your information is up to date. Unless there are strict new guidelines for the managers on tours now.

I so wish that all the TM did the same things for the group, when you travel many time as so many of us do, some do fantastic jobs and go above and beyond, and others the feeling is they want to be anywhere else but with us.

On one occasion on a USA tour we were not near anywhere walkable to eat, so the poor driver who had driven all day agreed to drop us off at a place in town and we all scurried around to find places to eat, with no help or guidance whatsoever, and only had a limited time so the driver could take us all back to the hotel, this didn’t make for a pleasant meal or evening.

When I started using JY in 2006 the tour managers made themselves available say In reception  at a designated time for people to asked questions etc, but for the last few years of using JY the TM has not, they just go back to their room till leaving time in the morning, so no opportunity for asking about meals times what’s going on etc...

Yes, I get that they need time to do stuff, but at the end of the day if these tours are being advertised as escorted tours etc, then they need to make themselves available..

I am sad to say that it’s the minority of the TM who do their jobs well these days, and a TM can make or break a tour for me. This is one of the reasons I have not travelled with JY of late, the lack of confidence in your TM, there is so much less included now than when  I first travelled, then it might just be 1 optional trip, now you have to pay for so much more  while your away.

I do hope other people comment how they find the meal situation as I cannot be the only person who feels this way.

Cindy

I would of thought many people who go on these tours want to have company for dinner - perhaps Just You

really does mean just you !

Could there not be an option to opt out of meals when booking ?

I'm sorry to hear that you've had this experience in the past. However, I do know that when we decided to reduce some meals for 2019, all our Tour Managers were informed about this and asked to make sure that they help customers find somewhere to eat, and/or go with the group for an evening meal, should the group ask.

I personally just went on my first trip with the company (Classic Cities of Italy) it was great and our Tour Manager, Mohammed arranged restaurants for us and came with us on the evenings where there was no included meal. Of course, there were some in the group who preferred to go alone or as a smaller group of two or three, but Mohammed came with the main group that wanted to go out to eat together. He also gave us all a handout he'd made at the start of the week which had recommended restaurants for the evening, which was really helpful.

I have been advised by our Tour Manager team that this should now be standard for all Tour Managers to do on a trip with some meals not included, so please do let us know on your feedback letters if this has not happened, as of course we want to address this with Tour Managers to make sure they are all aware.

Regarding the comments about opting out of meals, I've passed this to the team as feedback and I will let you know what they say.

Many thanks,

Vickie

This discussion will go on forever I think.

Having done 14 tours over the years and only one to America where evening meals are never included.

I am afraid I will not be booking any holidays with Justyou if meals are not included. 

On a recent holiday we were left to fend for ourselves which is not ideal if you dont know the area.

Myself and two other ladies were lucky as we chose a local cafe style resturant and ate the most fabulous local dish of rabbit, lots veg, bread [and great vino 2 bottles ! ] for around 13 Euros each AND a chat with the locals as best we could

The rest of the party went to an Italian pizza place and was in 4+ hours with slow service, naff food and a big bill at the end.

My tip is to look at places to see if the locals are eating there and you cant go far wrong

Yours Sue

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

I've expressed my views on this matter previously so I won't repeat myself, just to say that I think Mandy has summed up the various arguments for and against very well!

Cheers,

Bob

Why has Just You reduced the number of evening meals included in your Holidays?  It’s nice for solo travellers to eat as a group and not have to worry about finding somewhere to eat or end up eating alone. 

I am walking the Camino in September and we have only three evening meals included and five different hotels meaning we have to find somewhere to eat, and pay for dinner, on these evenings.  Your holidays have increased in cost recently and this another additional cost. 

Judy

Hi Judy,

I do not like this either.  The last thing I want after a day out is to traipse around a strange area looking for somewhere to eat, or having to pay in the hotel.  

It has got to the stage where if all evening meals are not included then I do not book it.  I often use another company which not only includes all evening meals, but a drink of your choice, wine, beer, etc., as well.  More expensive but lower costs when you get there.  I looked at one JY short city break in Italy where even the farewell dinner was an optional extra!!!!!!

Sylvia

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

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

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

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 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

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

Regards,

Roger

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

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.