I heard from another passenger on our cruise that biking down Haleakala Mountain in Maui was a great experience.
The first sign of trouble was when we got onto to buses that would take us to the top of the mountain. We were forced to change busses a total of three times because of disorganization of the company.
We then sat through a 45 minutes drive while the tour guide complained about how expensive it is to live in Hawaii and we must give a mandatory 20% tip to both him and the driver of the van. Totaling 40% in all. I just laughed because it cost me $200.00 for both my husband and myself to bike down the mountain and now the guy is telling me that I MUST give him another $80.00. Nearly, the cost of an additional person? Yeah right.
When we got to the top of the mountain we should have had at least one hour to look at the crater and do some gift shopping. We were told, hurry up, the entire time even as we used the restrooms. We were there a total of 15 minutes.
The tour guide not only refused to give me the rain suit that was promised by the company in the correct size he also give me a broken helmet and bike. My bikes handle bars we broken and the seat was also broken causing me to nearly fall off of the bike several times during the ride. When I requested a different bike I was told there were no others even though I could plainly see them in the back of the truck. I told the instructor that I would like a different bike because I felt that this one was dangerous and he told me if I did not like the bike I could ride in the van the rest of the way down without a refund of my payment.
This tour guide yelled at several of the girls as they rode down the hill, myself not included, stated that they, were too slow, needed to catch up, and he would, give you once more chance then you will have to ride in the back of the van the rest of the way. He told us to shut-up and Suck it up on several occasions. He even yelled at a nearly 70 year old man whom was having a hard time seeing the rode in the pouring rain and fog implying that, this ride is not for senior citizens. He was in such a hurry that the ride that should have taken two hours only lasted half the time.
I was so horrified by the individual I begged my husband to end the tour and take me back to the boat. The tour guide was so degrading condescending, and humiliating I was nearly driven to tears. My husband told me he could not do anything because we were at the top of a mountain, in a forest and he would not get us out of there. We were then told to break it up, as I was separated from my husband because the guide could clearly see that I was upset.
Even though we were promised with our reservations, no where on the tour were we allowed to stop for water, take pictures, or even rest as the drill sergeant tour guide made us all feel two inches tall.
When we got to the office our entire tour group complained to the manger and we were still asked to pay. I then asked to please find me another ride back to town because I did not wish to be treated so disrespectfully any longer. I was denied that as well.
This experience ruined my entire trip. I would strongly, strongly, advise anyone not to take Maui Mountain Cruises. There are several other bicycle tour/cruise companies that others on our boat took and had a great time.
I have posted some links to some more reputable companies below.
0 comments