Cancel more than 7 days before the tour: Full refund*

Cancel 3-6 days before the tour: 50% refund.

Cancel less than 3 days before the tour: No refund.

No show or cancellation after the tour has started: No refund.

SHIP FAILS TO DOCK

We strongly advise obtaining comprehensive travel insurance for your journey. It offers invaluable peace of mind, providing coverage for unexpected instances such as missed ports or tour cancellations.

If unforeseen circumstances, like your ship not docking, disrupt your plans, don’t worry. In such events, we ensure 50% of your payment is returned to you. This approach aims to mitigate your disappointment, while reasonably covering the preparatory costs of your tour, like hired guides, insurance, equipment and vehicle reservations.

Flight Delays and Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation due to last-minute flight delays or flight cancellations, our standard cancellation policy will still apply. Please note that Dorset Tours is not responsible for any inconveniences or costs incurred due to missed flights or flight cancellations. We strongly recommend that all travelers obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover such eventualities. This insurance should assist in managing any disruptions to your travel plans, including coverage for any non-refundable tour costs. Ensure your travel insurance policy covers all necessary aspects of your trip to provide peace of mind while you enjoy your travels with us.

PLEASE NOTE: An international reversal transaction cost can be incurred by third party booking software (Stripe), your bank or credit card company. International reversal transaction costs can be up to 15%. This is out of our control.

Portland Port is a working commercial port and they do not allow you to roam freely.

HOW TO GET TO US VIDEO/ OUR LOCATION

You are permitted to get the FREE BLUE SHUTTLE BUS that transports you to our location (3 minute ride).
(See the shuttle bus in photo below)

We are located at Portland Castle: (>See Map)

Portland Castle is a 3 minute ride from your ship.

One of our representatives will be waiting for you as you exit the shuttle.

Portland Port is a working commercial port and they do not allow you to roam freely.

HOW TO GET TO US VIDEO

You are permitted to get the FREE BLUE SHUTTLE BUS that transports you to our location (3 minute ride).
(See the shuttle bus in photo below)

We are located at Portland Castle: (>See Map)

Portland Castle is a 3 minute ride from your ship.

One of our representatives will be waiting for you as you exit the shuttle.

Your excursion is adjusted to coincide with your ships arrival and departure.

Your tour start times will be emailed to you approximately 2/3 weeks prior to your tour.

We understand that cruise operators have different times of arrival and departure and your cruise excursion is tailored to your time on shore.

The Meet & Greet instructions emailed to you are approximate times.

We do not leave without accounting for you. 

If you have booked a Private Tour, your tour start time can be adjusted to suit your needs. Email us to arrange your private tour start time.

If you are worried you’ll be late on the day, just contact Sally on (+44) 1305 230053 Email: info@dorsettours.com

No, as the section above explains.

Portland Port is a working commercial port and they do not allow you to roam freely.

You are permitted to get the FREE BLUE SHUTTLE BUS that transports you to our location (3 minute ride).

(See the shuttle bus in photo below)

We are located at Portland Castle: (>See Map)

Portland Castle is a 3 minute ride from your ship.

One of our representatives will be waiting for you as you exit the shuttle.

It’s important to note that all our tours are fully guided.*Unless otherwise stated.

This is a key aspect that distinguishes us from other companies that may only provide drivers or taxis.

Our guides are meticulously trained specifically on the Jurassic Coast and Dorset, equipping them with extensive knowledge of this unique area. This expertise allows them to take you off the beaten path, revealing hidden gems and experiences often unknown to regular drivers or taxis.

Our tours are PART GUIDED. This means that at each site, your guide will give you a brief description of the area, orient you, and discuss its history and geology. You will then have FREE TIME to explore the area as you wish before moving on to the next site.

Exploring the Jurassic Coast does involve a degree of walking, including traversing uneven terrain at times. To address any concerns and find the best tour for your needs, please reach out to our team via email, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.

Our first priority is getting you back to the ship on time.

We ensure you arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure time.

If your time on shore becomes limited, some of the attractions on the itinerary may vary in order to get you back to the ship on time. This is not negotiable.

Unfortunately it is not possible to see the Jurassic Coast and Stonehenge in one day.

Tours in this area are split into two sections, tours along the Jurassic Coast (Corfe Castle, Thatch Villages, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove etc) and tours that run to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. Because of the long drive times to Stonehenge (2 hours each way), it is not possible to see the Jurassic Coast and Stonehenge on the same day I’m afraid.

Stonehenge tickets are not included with our tours and must be purchased separately. You can buy them either online or directly at the gate.

Please note:
For those who prefer to book online, Stonehenge operate a timed ticket system, but they are flexible. For example, if you book for 11:30 AM and arrive at 12 PM, you will still be allowed entry.

See below for example booking times:

SHIP ARRIVES: 7 – 9 AM – BOOK TICKETS 11:30 AM
SHIP ARRIVES: 10 – 11 AM – BOOK TICKETS 12.30 PM

Keep in mind – Stonehenge tickets are non-refundable. If, for any reason, your ship does not dock or you need to cancel your tour, you will not be refunded for your Stonehenge tickets.

If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to ask.

Here in the UK we use GBP £.
All tours must be booked through our website and will be taken in GBP £ (British Pound).

Cruise Ship Fails to Dock

We strongly advise obtaining comprehensive travel insurance for your journey. It offers invaluable peace of mind, providing coverage for unexpected instances such as missed ports or tour cancellations.

If unforeseen circumstances, like your ship not docking, disrupt your plans, don’t worry. In such events, we ensure 50% of your payment is returned to you. This approach aims to mitigate your disappointment, while reasonably covering the preparatory costs of your tour, like hired guides, insurance, equipment and vehicle reservations.

Lunch stops vary based on the tour type. For those who selected the Jurassic Coast tour, lunch is typically in Weymouth with options like Fish & Chips, harbor-side pubs, or cafes. You’ll have approximately 1 hour to dine.

If you have selected a Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral tour, your lunch stop will be in the city of Salisbury.

Exploring the Jurassic Coast does involve a degree of walking, including traversing uneven terrain at times. To give you a better idea of what to expect, I have included a video below showcasing the type of terrain you’ll encounter during the tour:

Video of walk to Durdle Door:

To address any concerns and find the best tour for your needs, please contact a member of our team via email to go through any concerns you may have.

STONEHENGE & SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

If you’ve booked a tour with us to Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral, please note that there will be a bit of walking involved. From where the vehicle parks, you’ll take a short walk to the Stonehenge visitor centre. From there, a complimentary shuttle service will transport you to the iconic stones. Here are are free to walk around the stones. 

When we reach Salisbury Cathedral, you’ll have ample free time to explore both the city and the cathedral at your own pace. This provides a wonderful opportunity to soak in the rich history and charm of Salisbury at your leisure.

Our advice would be to try and reserve your tour as soon as possible, we take bookings incredibly quickly for cruise dates and only have a certain number of guides and vans.

Securing your tour for your preferred date is highly advisable.

No. I’m afraid our guides do not carry cash or handle payments. All bookings must be made through our secure website.

Our tours vary depending on location & sights visited, some tours may be more suitable than others depending on the nature of mobility restrictions.

Exploring the Jurassic Coast does involve a degree of walking, including traversing uneven terrain at times. To give you a better idea of what to expect, I have included a video below showcasing the type of terrain you’ll encounter during the tour:

Video of walk to Durdle Door:

To address any concerns and find the best tour for your needs, please contact a member of our team via email to go through any concerns you may have.

Our group sizes are no larger than 15 passengers per group, but can often run with as little a 4 to a group.

Children are welcome on our tours.

However, please note that due to local government regulations we are restricted from carrying children under the age of 13. As a result, we do not offer specific children’s rates for our tours. The ticket price remains the same for all participants, regardless of age.

Yes, like many small tour operators a minimum number of passengers is required to operate some of our tours.

Usually we only need 4-7 passengers to run any of our tours (depending on the tour). If this number is not met before your tour date you will be contacted and offered another tour (if available) or the tour will be cancelled and you will be refunded in full.

There are no entrance fees for the attractions on the Jurassic Coast, however it does cost around £7-10 to enter Corfe Castle. We find that 90% of our clients like to explore the wonderful village of Corfe and take pictures from outside the castle.

Entrance fees to Stonehenge or Salisbury Cathedral are not included in our tours. Entrance fees to these attractions can be purchased on the gate at the time of your arrival.

Please note that tickets to the Tank Museum or any attractions are not included in the cost of our tours. Before your tour date, it’s essential to check for any special events or occurrences at the attractions and secure your tickets in advance or be prepared to purchase at the gate. We cannot be held accountable if you are unable to gain entry due to a lack of pre-purchased tickets or failure to check the attractions schedule.

There are no booking or refund fees.

However,*Be aware: An international reversal transaction cost can be incurred by third party booking software (Stripe), your bank or credit card company.

International reversal transaction costs can be up to 15%.

This is not within our control.

Depending on the group size, our vehicles can accommodate 6, 8, or 16 passengers. We use the newest and largest vehicles available in the UK. However, please be aware that European vehicles may be smaller in comparison to those typically found in your country or in the USA and Canada.