I reserved two activities for summer vacation on 7/31, 8/1.
1. Private speed boat tour to Koh Tao.
2. Private Sunset Cruise(Red Baron Sailing)
First of all, the review about private speed boat tour are as below.
On the day before tour date, I called to Liam Smith because that he want to know my room number. He is sale & marketing manager of Samui Boat Charter and I had contacted for reservation continually before travel. At that time, he noticed us that the tour destination had to be changed from Koh Tao to Angthong National park because strong wind and wave. And then next day(the day for tour), he came to hotel and said that we can't go tour to any destination because same reason.
The wind and wave is natural condition, so that was not his responsibility and I respected his decision about cancellation. But, he didn't recommended any alternative plan and Just said about adjustment of cost. I asked to him about an alternative plans, he replied 'just relax on the beach and drinking', nevertheless there are grand parents and kids in my team.
The second tour was sunset cruise with yacht named Red Baron.
The sunset cruise itself was OK. Because of sudden weather change, waves were big, some of us got seasickness. But the crews were kind, food and beverages were good. In spite of bad weather, they tried to show the sunset to us. Finally, we could see small but beautiful colored sunset.
However, the service of Liam Smith was very poor. He didn't offer any exact information about what we could do or could not do in sunset cruise and what could be offered.
I asked him If we could swim during the sunset cruise before tour. He replied that I could not do that, in sunset cruise I could just relax, drink and have a party. But the crew of Red Baron said that all I want was possible in Red Baron, swimming, parties, and kayaking etc. Moreover, the most important thing in sunset cruise for me is wind sailing without engine, so, I checked to him several times while I reserved. He always answered that of course the wind sailing is possible. But the crew of Red Baron said that sailing by only wind is impossible, actually the engine was not stopped completely during sunset cruise.
The only thing that he did was pick us up by van and just took money exactly. He said that If I paid by cash, the tax was exemption. But, the money(10,000THB) for deposit was sent by credit transfer, he asked the 7% tax for that money. Moreover, I reserved sunset cruise for 12 persons, but 1 person couldn't go with us. Just 11 person go together, but I didn't request the price cutting. Well, he sent 2 vans for pick up from hotel to pier, because he knows our members are 12 person(1 van isn't enough for 12 person). But, he sent just 1 van to pier for drop off to hotel, at that time he already knew we are 11 persons.
I choose 'Samui Boat Charter' because the reviews are so good in 'Tripadviser.com', But I were deeply disappointed. Liam Smith worked like not a travel agent but a tax collector. I never recommend Samui Boat Charter for your Koh Samui vacation