No not War of the Roses, I do mean War of the Coaches! Well maybe not war but maybe a little healthy competition. Carnival recently changed their preferred coach company from long time suppliers Eavesway Travel to Intercruises – Coach Connect, and I wondered what regular cruisers thought so I set up a thread and here is what I found!
Coaches were first provided by Eavesway Travel in the 1990’s and were initially chartered by Travel Agents as a way of getting clients in the North West to their cruises in Southampton. This proved so successful that the routes were expanded and Eavesway became the preferred supplier for P & O and Princess Cruises. This recently changed and now Eavesway are the preferred supplier of Fred Olsen, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises however they still offer routes for Princess Cruises, Cunard and P & O Cruises. Eavesway currently operate a fleet of 34 Van Hool Executive Coaches.
Intercruises have been in the coach business since 2001 and were the preferred supplier for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard, however recently they have take over from Eavesway as the preferred supplier for P & O Cruises and Princess Cruises as well as Cunard. As far as I am aware they do not have their own fleet of coaches and subcontract out to other coach companies.
Price wise as I live in Lancaster I will compare the costs for a departure to Southampton on a return basis.
Eavesway £96 per person return
Intercruises £100 per person return
Not much in it price wise and with P & O , Cunard and Princess offering a free coach transfer (with Intercruises) many people have been tempted to book using this offer however it may be worth reading the following comments from the thread I posted. I have deleted peoples names to protect their right to anonymity but have in no other way altered the comments (a few spelling mistakes – not mine) and I think you can see the general feeling.
The question asked was,”Need some feedback please if you have ever used Eavesway Coaches against Intercruises?”
Only used eavesway they are very good
Will only ever use Eavesway
Eavesway were great!!
I have had several complaints about Intercruises including coaches not fit for purpose, journeys taking longer but with earlier starting times.
We’ve used eavesway there spot on our next cruise is with inter cruise disappointed at there pick up points eavesway were miles better
Always use Eavesway…they are great!
Oh dear sorry to hear this. We were very happy with Eavesway but have opted for the coach transfer as usual & now it’s Intercruises hope it will all be ok!
Used eavesway every time in four cruises traveling on my own
Very professional never had a problem
Eavesway are excellent
Always Eavesway nice clean coaches good pickup points.
We couldn’t fault Eavesway been with them at least 6 times.Also the drivers have been very friendly!
Only used evesway no complaints, but we are on intercruise in 2 weeks time, from harwich, and evesway do not go there, as we are on celebrity, hope they are as good
i am disabled and have used eavesway 5 times now and they very good with me and my wife they are so polite and nothing is a problem and I live in wales so they pick us up in chester I would highly recommend they
Eavesway tops, used Intercruises once not very impressed.
Not cruised since P&O have changed companies but could never fault Eavesway
tried intercruise but never again eavesway are the tops
Always use eavesway they are very good
Despite ringing over a week ago we still haven’t received our travel info from Intercruises & we go a wk Monday. Getting a little concerned now after all these comments!
Always eaves way very good
Eavesway excellent for us its them or the train seen intercruisers coaches
always used eavesway but this year we had to use intercruises but tbh it was great fab pleasant and helpful driver very good experience hope u have agood holiday x
Have used Eavesway twice and they have been excellent. However in January we had to wait at dock gate until the Intercruise coaches had all arrived so we were on board very late. Also on disembarkation they gave a time for Intercruise people but not for Eavesway. We asked and they begrudgingly gave us a time but not all passengers did and we had to wait quite a while.
Eavesway were good for us, only puzzle was they had a drinks machine situated at the top of the stairs down to the loo, we asked the driver could we use it and he said it wasn’t for the passengers, then who was it for. Strange! !
We were told in may that those of us on eavesway coaches are now treated as independent so we can choose when to get off
Went with eavesway last year and had no problems
After 2 phone calls to Intercruising they’ve finally emailed our travel documents. Their answer machine gives option 1 as 2013 cruises, not a confidence builder! Had to ring & check why they estimated a 5 hour journey from Cardiff to Southampton, told that’s the longest it make take – I hope not!
I think the unanimous winner goes to……….Eavesway!
If I was in charge of P & O, Cunard and Princess maybe its time you take stock of what your passengers are saying about your preferred coach supplier.
On a personal note my recommendation to any of my clients is pay for the Eavesway coach and take the on board credit instead then at least you know you will arrive at your destination in a comfortable and safe environment.
If you have experienced either of these services please let me have your comments.