Episode 128 Discover North Wales [Cruise Shore Excursions]

In episode 128 of the UK Journey Planning Podcast, Tracy once more welcomes John Hadwin from Boutique Excursions of North Wales. 

Recognized for his distinctive personal excursions round North Wales, John shares his insights and experience in catering to cruise passengers seeking to discover past the ship’s choices. 

On this participating episode, John discusses his background in tourism, together with his time with Cunard and the way he developed a distinct segment in offering tailor-made tour experiences for cruise passengers. Be taught in regards to the number of itineraries out there at ports like Holyhead and Liverpool, every providing distinctive insights into Wales’s native tradition and hidden gems and past. 

John additionally addresses widespread issues about personal excursions versus cruise ship excursions, explaining the advantages of smaller, personalised experiences and how one can plan the proper day ashore. 

For these excited by reserving, John shares recommendations on securing a tour and taking advantage of your time in port.

Click on the blue button beneath to pay attention:

Episode 128 – Present Notes

Key Subjects

Visitor Introduction and Companies

• Introduction of John Hadwin and his affiliation with cruise excursions
• Dialogue of cruise calendar with scheduled slots
• Tailoring personal excursions based mostly on customer preferences

Tour Planning and Customization

• Detailed planning course of contemplating timeframes, locations, and logistics
• Use of communication instruments (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Google Meet) for plan finalization
• Guaranteeing a stress-free expertise for company

Dealing with Cruise Cancellations

• Excessive success charge with just one cancellation since 2009
• Affords full refunds within the occasion of cancellations resulting from climate

Reserving and Contact Info

• Encouragement to e book early, particularly throughout peak months (December to February)
• John Hadwin is responsive by way of emails, cellphone, FaceTime, or WhatsApp

Reserving Suggestions

• Significance of early reserving resulting from diminishing availability
• Excessive demand with over 100 inquiries from a single ship’s passengers

Unique Availability

• John is likely one of the few full-time driver guides in Holyhead

Visitor Background and Expertise

• John’s work with Cunard cruise line on creating itineraries
• Profitable affect on a transatlantic cruise itinerary
• Historical past of personal tour enterprise began in 2009

Progress of Holyhead as a Cruise Vacation spot

• Collaboration with the native council to draw extra cruise ships since 2009
• Progress from internet hosting 5-6 cruise ships to an anticipated 90 ships

Excursions Provided by John Hadwin

• Boutique excursions for cruise passengers out of Holyhead and Liverpool
• Distinctive and differing itineraries for every port

Tour Choices and Market Dynamics

• Comparability of mass coach excursions vs. personal cruise excursions
• Market technique of cruise strains to retain company with packaged excursions

Pricing of Excursions

• Price of shared coach excursions (~£150 per particular person)
• Personal excursions with unbiased guides (~£650 to £750)
• Personal excursions with cruise strains (as much as £1,500)

Various Price-Sharing Mannequin

• Reserving personal excursions and sharing prices by platform promotions (like Cruise Critic)
• Growing recognition post-COVID

Host Endorsement

• Tracy Collins endorses John Hadwin as a most well-liked tour companion
• Constructive evaluations and private vetting

Comfort and Effectivity

• Benefits of personal excursions: avoiding delays and fewer stress

Private Interplay and Flexibility

• Company can suggest itineraries or depend on John’s experience

Holyhead Excursions

• “North Wales in a Nutshell” tour together with a loop by nationwide park, castles, and cultural experiences
• Excursions guided by John, often known as a “strolling encyclopedia”
• Possibility for Anglesey tour, that includes medieval castles and tales about St. Patrick

Liverpool Excursions

• Give attention to the Beatles, soccer, and historic websites
• Cross-city tour capturing tradition, historical past, and sports activities
• Points of interest like Wrexham, with soccer (soccer) membership owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
• Contains stadium excursions and historic websites

Customizable Excursions

• Customized based mostly on particular person preferences
• “Story of Two Cities” tour to Liverpool and Chester
• Distinctive countryside experiences

Fame and Expertise

• Advantages of respected personal excursions: private experiences and well timed returns to the ship
• Cruise strains’ discouragement of personal excursions vs. reliability of respected personal excursions

Click on right here to obtain a PDF Transcript of Episode 128

Helpful sources – Podcasts & Articles

🎧 Podcasts

• Episode #89 – Unforgettable Adventures: Boutique Excursions of Wales with John Hadwin
• Episode #52 – Exploring North Wales with Doug Collins
• Episode #32 – Journey Report: A month street journey across the UK