Indie booked shore excursions

[DesertPesce7751]

I've been organizing a tour for 45 people for two of the port days on our upcoming cruise, Hakodate and Sapporo in Japan. The company that I've been working with that has been most dilligent and helpful in answering my questions and has come back with a fantastic price has asked for payment ahead of time. I know that, for a lot of more trafficked ports (like Venice, for example), many tour guides are okay with getting paid on the day of.

 

Has anyone had experience with paying ahead of time? I think he is amenable to everyone paying him directly and he's from a very reputable, American-and-Japan based company with solid reviews and a long history in the business.

 

Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? I know I can't pay it all myself and just get paid back in May. For one, I don't want to have that much cash on me. More importantly, though, that's quite a chunk of change to be fronting for a large group.

[paul929207]

Several times we have paid a deposit or the full cost in advance. Never had a problem.

[DesertPesce7751]

Several times we have paid a deposit or the full cost in advance. Never had a problem.

 

Fantastic. Thank you!