Frequently Asked Questions

The pricing indicated as 'From' in our itineraries is a reflection of our best efforts to provide accurate costs at the time of booking. However, it's important to note that these prices are susceptible to changes if our suppliers choose to implement adjustments. Supplier Pricing: Our utmost priority is securing the most favourable prices from our network of suppliers when you book with us. These suppliers operate on a variety of pricing structures; some adhere to fixed group rates, while others offer quotes based on specific requests, often tied to seasonal variations. Pricing updates occur periodically—either aligned with the calendar year or their fiscal cycle—according to individual supplier practices. In some instances, changes occur beyond our awareness, such as when suppliers transfer ownership or cease operations altogether. When new management takes over, they naturally evaluate and potentially revise pricing and offerings. This introduces an element of unpredictability in guaranteeing stable pricing until we approach the departure dates. Our Commitment: Superb Tours is dedicated to maintaining the stability of quoted prices by absorbing cost increases whenever possible. Regrettably, there are occasions when these increases surpass our capacity to absorb them, necessitating a pass-through of these augmented costs to our valued customers. Please be assured that we continually strive to uphold our commitment to you throughout the entire tour experience.

The implementation of non-refundable deposits by numerous suppliers serves the purpose of safeguarding their efforts in the event of a substantial group cancellation. These deposits are vital to secure the bookings required for your group's tour. Deposits: Especially in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, a trend has emerged where suppliers request non-refundable deposits to ensure reservations for sizable group bookings. This practice is rooted in the understanding that canceling a substantial reservation, such as 25 rooms at a family-operated motel, shortly before the intended stay is financially challenging and inequitable for the supplier. The limited time frame doesn't permit them to rebook these rooms, and they might have declined other group inquiries for the same dates in reliance on your booking. On the flip side, these scenarios often grant us access to exclusive group discounts, a testament to the distinct nature of these motel or hotel reservations as compared to last-minute online bookings with flexible cancellation terms. The implications of canceling one room are vastly different from canceling an entire block of 25 rooms. Additionally, it's important to recognize that we frequently collaborate with small businesses operated by their owners, who rely on this income for their livelihoods. Our Approach: At Superb Tours, we adhere strictly to the deposit requirements stipulated by our suppliers. We make every effort to negotiate extended deposit due dates, acknowledging that our senior groups often involve committees that need to approve itineraries and dates before tour coordinators can initiate promotional activities among group or club members. Furthermore, we understand the challenges faced by tour coordinators in collecting deposit funds from members. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that flexibility varies among suppliers, and while we endeavor to accommodate your needs, certain due dates are set by suppliers themselves to align with their operational requirements. This ensures a harmonious balance between our commitment to you and our partnership with these suppliers.

Absolutely, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive itineraries for our tours. Our pre-booked tours come with fixed dates, offering you a hassle-free experience as all the groundwork has been meticulously arranged and is ready for your group's booking. For our Value tours, we're pleased to offer suggested itineraries, which naturally hinge on your group's preferred travel dates and availability. In instances where Superb Tours customizes a tour to align precisely with your group's travel preferences, we adopt a strategic approach. We often make tentative reservations with crucial suppliers, including accommodations, transportation, and key attractions. This enables us to present you with a Draft itinerary that outlines the tour's outline and associated costs. Simultaneously, this phase also aids us in determining any supplier-specific deposit requirements. If you decide to proceed with the booking, we then confirm the remaining visits and activities, thus finalizing a comprehensive itinerary tailored to your group's aspirations. Our goal is to ensure that your tour experience is not only memorable but also seamlessly organized from start to finish.

Certainly, we're here to assist. Our laser printer is well-equipped to produce high-quality, vibrant versions of our comprehensive itineraries. Please share with us the most suitable postal address for your club or group, along with the quantity of copies you require. Once we have this information, we'll promptly arrange to send the printed itineraries your way. Your tour documents will be on their way to you in no time.

Absolutely, if you encounter tour-related questions from your group members that leave you stumped (and trust me, we've heard some unique ones like "Are the motel mattresses made of latex?"), please gather these inquiries and feel free to get in touch with us via a phone call or email. If we don't already have the answer, we'll make sure to dig into it and provide you with the information you need. One of the reasons we're able to maintain lower costs compared to companies that run public tours is our streamlined communication. We work directly with one coordinator per group, like yourself, as opposed to juggling responses from numerous different individuals—this allows us to focus on tailoring your group's experience to perfection. Your dedication to coordinating and our expertise in handling the intricacies of tours ensures a seamless journey for everyone involved.

Certainly, we completely understand that your club or group wishes to account for those thoughtful extras like bus trip treats or celebratory drinks. Just inform us of the specific pricing you'd like to reflect on the itinerary. While we typically display the single supplement as a separate additional charge for those seeking single rooms, we're flexible. If your group prefers, we can incorporate the single supplement into an all-inclusive price as well. Your tour, your way – we're here to make it happen.

We completely understand the challenges that group tour coordinators face in rallying members to embark on a tour. In addition to offering comprehensive itineraries, we're delighted to provide an extra level of support. This comes in the form of a professionally designed slide presentation, encompassing all the crucial details, tour highlights, and vital information. This resource is aimed at simplifying your role. Whether you choose to display the slide presentation during club or group meetings using a screen, or opt to distribute it via email to your members, it offers an engaging and informative way to introduce the tour. Our intention is to alleviate the effort of promoting the tour, making it as effortless and impactful as possible for you and your members.

We recognize that some groups value the inclusion of complimentary tickets in their booking, whether as club prizes or to extend invitations to special guests like group clergy or member caregivers. While the provision of free tickets remains possible, it requires a tailored approach. Upon your request, we can furnish you with a re-calculated price for your group, factoring in the inclusion of these free tickets. It's important to understand that these complimentary tickets, while labelled as such, are intricately connected to the overall cost structure. They are quoted with twin/double share accommodation by default, but we are flexible and can adjust to single room quotes if necessary. Additionally, it's vital to note that the availability of these complimentary tickets hinges on achieving the minimum required number of participants for the tour. It's worth noting that just like any other aspect in life, "free" tickets come at a cost – one that is redistributed among the remaining group members in their pricing. Our priority is to ensure transparency and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how this mechanism operates within the context of your group's tour.

Our decision to establish a minimum requirement of 35 passengers is rooted in our extensive experience with group bookings. Over time, we've come to understand that while many groups express intentions of reaching 40 passengers or more, there can be challenges in achieving those numbers consistently. This can lead to last-minute appeals for additional funds from members, which we aim to avoid. Consequently, we've standardized the minimum at 35 passengers. This approach also factors in the comfort of our travellers. Having some unoccupied seats provides passengers with the flexibility to change their seating arrangements during the journey—opting for moments of solitude or engaging in conversation with fellow travellers. For groups with fewer than 35 passengers, we do have an alternative pricing arrangement we can offer. It's important to mention that certain expenses, such as the coach rental, are distributed across the entire group. In cases where the minimum number isn't met, these shared costs remain uncovered, impacting the financial viability of the tour. Additionally, if your group exceeds 40 passengers (e.g., 41 or more) at the final passenger count stage, our business owners will assess the situation and consider offering a special incentive or discount. Our goal is to ensure that your group experiences a seamless journey, supported by pricing structures that reflect both feasibility and passenger comfort.

At Superb Tours, we have a strong preference for partnering with Bayside Coaches to provide our tour transportation and driver guides. Should, for any reason, Bayside Coaches be unable to accommodate a specific booking, they collaborate with us to identify a suitable and capable alternative service provider. Our meticulous planning and organizational efforts culminate in the creation of "Drivers Instructions" or DI's—a comprehensive and detailed document that encompasses all essential tour information. This meticulous communication with the coach provider is pivotal in ensuring the seamless execution of our tours. Bayside Coaches boasts a modern fleet primarily comprised of two-door coaches equipped with onboard restrooms. All our coaches are equipped with seat belts and feature comfortable leather seating. For coaches with two doors and an onboard restroom, the maximum passenger capacity is 48. However, Bayside Coaches does also offer 57-seater coaches with a single door and no restroom. It's important to note that these vehicles come with slightly less legroom. For day trips, we also have the option of mini buses with a maximum passenger capacity of 24. While these buses are well-suited for shorter excursions, we don't recommend them for extended tours involving senior groups. They feature smaller seats, reduced legroom, and a narrower aisle. Additionally, the absence of an onboard restroom can compromise the comfort and convenience of our travellers. Ultimately, our aim is to provide a comfortable and seamless journey, and our collaboration with Bayside Coaches is a crucial part of achieving this goal.

Certainly, we understand the value of continuity and comfort when it comes to familiar faces. When we communicate with Bayside Coaches to secure your booking, we can absolutely submit a request for your preferred driver guide. However, it's important to note that while we strive to fulfill your request, there might be instances where your preferred driver is unavailable or unable to lead your specific tour. Bayside Coaches will make every effort to accommodate your preference, given the circumstances. Typically, Superb Tours receives driver confirmations from Bayside Coaches around a month prior to your departure. As soon as we are informed, we'll promptly share this information with you, the Tour Coordinator. Of course, unforeseen circumstances can arise, and if your requested driver is unwell on the day of departure, Bayside Coaches will arrange a suitable replacement. Please be assured that all of Bayside Coaches' driver guides are experienced professionals who possess in-depth knowledge, a friendly demeanour, and the ability to manage commentary, bookings, and interactions with suppliers. Your tour experience remains their utmost priority, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for everyone involved.

At Superb Tours, our primary focus is on ensuring that your group's tour experience is both enjoyable and cost-effective. To achieve this, we opt to include an additional crew member only when it's deemed absolutely necessary. A typical scenario where we might provide this extra support is during our Sydney Tours, where certain locations necessitate the presence of an additional crew member due to parking constraints. By adopting this approach, we're able to maintain competitive pricing for your group. However, it's important to note that due to our commitment to minimizing costs, there may be instances where your driver requires some assistance upon arrival at a venue. In such cases, the driver may request your collaboration as the Tour Coordinator and leader of your group to facilitate a smooth transition—for example, during visits to destinations like the Haigh's Chocolate Factory in Adelaide. Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that your tour remains enjoyable and hassle-free, while still offering you the best value for your group's experience.

Our tour itineraries are designed to provide clarity on meal inclusions, denoted by an asterisk (*) following each item. For instance: 'Tonight, enjoy a two-course dinner* at the hotel's restaurant.' At Superb Tours, we typically include breakfast and dinner in every itinerary unless specified otherwise or as per your group's specific requests. There are situations where group dinners can't be pre-purchased, but we can reserve tables for your group to individually order meals. For instance, some RSL clubs may not accept large coach group bookings on weekends but are willing to reserve tables for your group's convenience. We only arrange such scenarios with establishments that can easily accommodate a large number of individually purchased meals, such as RSL clubs and pubs. Breakfast: Whenever possible, we arrange for a cooked or buffet breakfast for our groups. However, some venues may not have the facilities to provide a hot breakfast option. If a continental breakfast is the only available option, this will be indicated on the itinerary. In cases where accommodation bookings do not include breakfast, we ensure these stays are situated in areas with numerous café breakfast options nearby, making breakfast easily accessible for purchase (e.g., Phillip Island). Dinner: Our preference is to provide two-course dinners during your tour. We aim to make dinner reservations at local clubs, pubs, restaurants, or at the hotel where your group is staying, all of which can cater to large groups. On occasion, your group may be required to pre-select dinner options from a menu provided by the establishment. Superb Tours will provide you, as the Tour Coordinator, with a form containing all necessary information for your members to select their preferred meals. Timely submission of this information to Superb Tours ensures that meal requests can be accommodated seamlessly. Lunch: Lunch is included only in situations where it's challenging for a large group to be accommodated within the lunchtime frame, such as in remote or small towns. If you prefer to have lunch included in your itinerary, please inform us, and we will make every effort to arrange it for you. In cases where lunch is not provided, we will endeavour to contact establishments in advance to notify them of the approaching coach. For instance, popular local bakeries and roadhouses. Experience has shown us that when substantial breakfasts and two-course dinners are provided, many passengers prefer a lighter lunch of their choosing rather than another cooked meal. Your preferences are our priority, and we aim to tailor your tour to meet the specific needs and tastes of your group.

Your group's dietary well-being is of utmost importance to us. To ensure that everyone's needs are met, we kindly request that you provide us with a list of passengers who have food allergies, special dietary requirements, or religious dietary preferences when you submit your final passenger numbers and rooming list. This allows us to promptly inform our suppliers and ensure that appropriate catering arrangements are in place. It's crucial to be vigilant about special dietary restrictions within your group, as adhering to them is not only a matter of preference but, in some cases, a critical health consideration. By giving our suppliers ample notice regarding dietary requirements, we enable them to make thoughtful preparations, consider suitable meal substitutes, and address any concerns they may have about catering for specific passengers. Please be aware that any dietary requirements communicated after the stipulated time or on the day of the tour cannot be guaranteed to be catered for. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to collect this vital information at the time when your members confirm their tour bookings. This proactive approach ensures that we can provide the best possible dining experience for all members of your group.

Crafting tour itineraries for groups and clubs involves several considerations to ensure a comfortable and accommodating experience. One primary concern is the capacity to house a larger group, which often entails booking 25 or more rooms, depending on the group's size and the need for single rooms. Additionally, we must ensure that the selected accommodations can be easily accessed by a full-size coach and provide suitable parking facilities. Our approach to accommodation selection is rooted in providing the best value for your group, tailored to the specific location and requirements. This includes factors such as accessibility to ground floor rooms or availability of lifts, walk-in showers, the quantity of twin bed rooms, breakfast options, and on-site dining facilities, among others. In many regional towns, we've found excellent 3-star motor inns that offer comfort and suitability for groups. Conversely, when our tours take us to cities and more popular destinations, 4-star hotels align better with the itinerary and the unique needs of the group. Ultimately, our goal is to balance quality, convenience, and affordability to curate an itinerary that meets the diverse preferences and requirements of your group, ensuring a memorable and satisfying travel experience.

The rooming list serves as a crucial document for our partner accommodations, which include motels, motor inns, and hotels. It provides them with an essential breakdown of the specific room requirements for your tour. Typically, accommodation venues allocate a set number of rooms for large group bookings. By furnishing them with detailed information about your group's needs, such as single, twin, double, and occasionally triple rooms, well in advance, we ensure that they can adequately accommodate your group. Furthermore, certain hotels may extend Superb Tours a particular percentage of room attrition within a specified timeframe without incurring additional charges. Our rooming list due dates, and occasionally provisional rooming lists, are in line with the agreements we have in place with these establishments. Many of our seniors tours involve a substantial number of twin share rooms. Consequently, establishments often provide us with information about the availability of twin share rooms at the time of booking. This allows us to share this critical information with you, the group tour coordinator, ensuring that you can make informed decisions when accepting bookings from your members. If you are aware that your group will require a significant number of specific room types, please inform us at the time of booking to prevent any potential inconvenience or disappointment. This proactive approach helps us secure the best possible accommodations for your group's needs. Additionally, we kindly request that passengers' first and last names are included on the rooming list. This detail is often required by our accommodation partners for their booking systems, further ensuring a smooth and hassle-free check-in process for your group.