AlanS wrote:
What gets me is that more departure dates start appearing on the calendar later in the cycle. I worry I could possibly lose my second choice of departure if I wait for a specific date (from last year) to be added to this year's calendar. I don't know for sure, but it doesn't appear Tauck adds more small group departures, either.
You make a good point, Alan. I guess from Tauck's point of view, by releasing a small number of early departures, they can estimate their financial break even point early (and then decide whether or not to increase departures) and they satisfy those travellers who want or need to team departure dates with the purchase of long haul international flights. They often need to be purchased up to 12 months in advance. Of course, these early date releases are often not the optimal ones for individual travellers. Like you, I wish there were more small group dates in the first release. You wait for a departure date to suit you better and then you lose out on the small group date. Or miss out altogether. Just think how hard it is to combine different tour dates
way in advance. And then try and get 2 small group departures that will dovetail. That both have solo occupancy available! Without a perpetual calendar on my Apple, I'd never be able to plot anything! Not that I'm very successful at doing that, anyway! I can't tell you how many trips are on my list but I'm not going to travel half way round the world for a single 6 day (effectively) trip. It's not worth the effort, and cost, of the airfare for anything under 3 weeks at least. Short business trips are one thing … sure don't indeed to do that for pleasure!
Iceland is proving my biggest challenge. It's really hard to find something that will
actually combine with that one. And believe me, I really do know how to use an atlas along with that perpetual calendar. One day I'll get there, probably on the way to somewhere else entirely!
Cheers,
Jan