Frequently Asked Questions

PORTLAND CRUISE PASSENGERS

*This section relates to our Cruise Excursions departing from Portland

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

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.


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.

 

HOW TO GET TO US / OUR LOCATION

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.

DO YOU PICK UP FROM THE PORT?

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.

WHAT TIME DO YOUR TOURS DEPART?

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

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

Your tour start times, along with your Meet & Greet instructions, will be emailed to you approximately 2/3 weeks prior to your tour.

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

DO YOU USE GUIDES OR JUST DRIVERS?

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.

HOW DO YOUR TOURS WORK?

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.

WHEN DO WE GET BACK TO THE SHIP?

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.

Can I see both Stonehenge and the Jurassic Coast in one day?

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.

DO I PURCHASE STONEHENGE TICKETS?

Stonehenge tickets are not included in our tours.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate, if booking online, we recommend booking your tickets for approximately 1.5 hours after your scheduled Meet & Greet time with us.

Your Meet & Greet time will be emailed to your around 3 weeks prior to your tour date.

Meet & Greet Example:
If your ship arrives at 7am, your Meet & Greet will be from 9am-9:30am at Portland castle. You’ll need to book your tickets for around 10.30am – 11am

Note:
Stonehenge use a timed ticket system, however, they do not strictly adhere to this system. Meaning, if you book your tickets for 10:30am and arrive at 11am, they still allow entry.

You can book your Stonehenge Ticket from the English Heritage website ?

*STONEHENGE TICKETS ARE NON REFUNDABLE

WHAT CURRENCY DO YOU ACCEPT?

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

WHAT IF OUR SHIP CANNOT DOCK?

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.

WHEN DO WE STOP FOR LUNCH?

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.

IS THERE MUCH WALKING ON YOUR TOURS?

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.

SHOULD I BOOK NOW OR WAIT?

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.

CAN I PAY CASH?

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

MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES?

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.

WHAT ARE YOUR GROUP SIZES?

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

ARE CHILDREN PERMITTED ON YOUR TOURS?

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.

IS THERE A MINIMUM NUMBER PAX REQUIRED?

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

Usually we only need 4 passengers to run any of our tours. 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.

ENTRANCE FEES / TICKETS?

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.

ARE THERE ANY BOOKING OR REFUND FEES?

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.

WHAT TYPE OR SIZE OF VEHICLE DO YOU USE?

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.

More Questions?

Feel free to contact me

Hi. I’m Sally, I’m the Tour Coordinator here at Dorset Tours.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Email: info@dorsettours.com

Our office hours are:

Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 3pm
Sun: Closed

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