RV caravans

[Mr_Mark1]

I would like to get some feedback if any of you have ever joined a RV Caravan. We were thinking of joining one next summer (2016) to the Eastern Provinces of Canada.

The trip that caught our attention is 58 days and they have 3 summer departures dates to pick from.

Over the years, we have done our own thing including driving around Lake Superior in 2008. I just thought it might be interesting to join a caravan as they have everything laid-out with free days included.

They also have a 'tail-gunner' with minor repair parts in case there is an issue.

Thanks,
MM.

[catkins]

We did a caravan to Alaska in 2009. Had a great adventure. No hassle of where to go, reservations and major itinerary items pre-planned for us. Had a grand time. Our Wagon master couple and tail gunners were all wonderful people and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time. Downside, you are on a strict schedule and have to move when the caravan does.

We are currently considering another caravan in the same area you describe. We have been independent RVers for many years but may well decide to let someone ele worry about the details for another time. Cost is always high but stress is low as a result.

Good luck with your decision.

[ArchHoagland]

eheading wrote:
For 9 years my wife and I ran RV caravans. We ran 10 caravans to NewFoundland and the Maritimes. On a 58 day trip you will have a wonderful time. We are particularly fond of NewFoundland and have returned there after our "caravanning days".

The advantages of a caravan are that you will probably see and do things you wouldn't have otherwise, you will meet friends that you will stay in contact with for years afterwards, and you will have the security of numbers and staff will help you if you have troubles.

The disadvantages of the caravan are that you will be tied to a prescribed schedule. You can go off to something not on the caravan, but then you'll probably miss something on the caravan that you have already paid for.

So if you decide to go, I'm sure you'll have a marvelous time.

Ed Headington

I'd love to sit around a campfire while you tell stories of the various trips. I bet you could write a book.

[Mr_Mark1]

The Caravan trip that I was looking into covers almost 4,000 miles. I spoke with the Company today to get a little more information.

We have traveled on our own in many different ways in the past. I feel like this is not really any different than when we joined a 'Around-the-World' trip in '96. It was 30 days by private jet. We started in LA and ended in NYC (25,000 miles).

The tour company planned everything and we stayed about 3 days in each place. It was all very comfortable and allowed for resting, etc.

I want to hit the highlights, I'm not interested in seeing the nook and crannies, that could be another trip when we would go on our own. I want to get an overview of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland since I've never been there before.

This trip caught my eye. Not sure yet if we will go the 'caravan' route but I haven't ruled it out completely.

All of your opinions are very much appreciated.

Thank you,
MM.

[2gypsies1]

I disagree on seeing more on a caravan.

We drove to Alaska on our own to spend the summer. In talking with folks who were on a caravan, they definitely did not go into the 'nook and crannies' of the trip that we did. They went to the big highlights, as we did, also. All you have to do is read a guidebook and you'll know the highlights of where tours will take you.

You wouldn't see a group of caravan folks touring the Iditarod racer's kennels as we did by ourselves and getting a ride on the 'summer' sled with wheels through the forest. We were the only ones there after driving our toad 20 miles on a gravel road to get to his house. How'd we find it? While talking to someone who lived in the area he offered to call the guy to see if we could come for a tour of his setup.

There were plenty of other instances of small places we went that tours did not. We met folks continuously along the whole trip time after time and made friends with them. We had plenty of socializing without the group-catered dinners. We ate where the locals ate.

Quite a few full-timing friends of ours drove themselves to the Maritimes. They told many stories of being welcomed to dinner or 'secret' spots by local home owners. They were even offered a place to park their RVs - free.

[dverstra]

Mr.Mark
We have done 2 caravans and a Rally through Fantasy RV. The first was their Polar Bear Rally in Manitoba. We did Mardi Gras and the following Cajun Tour this past winter. We made friends that we would not have otherwise met. I think that the camraderie is the best part. Yes, you have a schedule to stick to. Driving less than 250 miles on the days that you drive allows for plenty of time to meet the people on the trip.

We leave for the Fantasy Rally in Washington DC soon to meet our friends from Mardi Gras. I say...Do It!

[bighatnohorse]

We did a commercial caravan to Mexico with Caravanas de Mexico and liked it.
There is a social component to caravans that you can't get anywhere else.
The routes, reservations and everything is all pre-planned and done for you. And that's a really nice feature.
We had the absolute best Wagonmaster.
Value? I guess that's up to the individual. For us, it was a great value since we would not have done that trip under our own self-motivation.

[gbopp]

AprilWhine wrote:


My observation was that if you join a caravan, you'll meet lots of people that have all the independence of a flock of baby ducks. :B

:B :B :B

[AprilWhine]

We did the Alaska caravan run by SMART in 2013. Never again! Poorly run, disorganized and led by a lazy wagon master and an incompetent tail gunner. Just to add to the entertainment :R about two weeks into the trip the wagon master and tail gunner started a feud with each other and spent the rest of the trip not speaking. Most of the participants were medically fragile and the staff refused to give them the support they needed.

Some of the people we met were very nice, others not so much. Several have since died, so they were able to check off a bucket list item before they checked out.

My observation was that if you join a caravan, you'll meet lots of people that have all the independence of a flock of baby ducks. :B

[Mr_Mark1]

subtroll wrote:
In the past 12 years we have participated in 6 SMART caravans and One Good Sam (Oshkosh) and thoroughly enjoyed every one. We made life-long friends each time. The social side is better than the scenery and the scenery is pretty good. We spent 62 days on an Alaska caravan and about the same in the Maritimes and many trips west. SMART caravans are planned and executed by volunteer Wagon Masters and Assistants. Many take more than a year to plan and incorporate the lessons and highlights of previous trips.

Recommend reading some of the caravan journals in the Archive section of SMART's website www.smartrving.net

I see that SMART rv'ing is for military veterans and looks like a nice outfit.

MM.

[Mr_Mark1]

mike brez wrote:

ArchHoagland wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
I would like to get some feedback if any of you have ever joined a RV Caravan. We were thinking of joining one next summer (2016) to the Eastern Provinces of Canada.

The trip that caught our attention is 58 days and they have 3 summer departures dates to pick from.

Over the years, we have done our own thing including driving around Lake Superior in 2008. I just thought it might be interesting to join a caravan as they have everything laid-out with free days included.

They also have a 'tail-gunner' with minor repair parts in case there is an issue.

Thanks,
MM.

How much does that 58 day trip cost?

About $9,495.00 for two people.

The 2016 price is $9,795 for two people for the 58 day trip. There is a $950 additional charge for two ferry trips with the coach to Newfoundland and two passenger ferry trips to Labrador. The ferry rate varies depending on the length of your coach.

The rate includes all campground fees, tour guides, some lunch/dinners and gratuities.

MM.

[eheading]

For 9 years my wife and I ran RV caravans. We ran 10 caravans to NewFoundland and the Maritimes. On a 58 day trip you will have a wonderful time. We are particularly fond of NewFoundland and have returned there after our "caravanning days".

The advantages of a caravan are that you will probably see and do things you wouldn't have otherwise, you will meet friends that you will stay in contact with for years afterwards, and you will have the security of numbers and staff will help you if you have troubles.

The disadvantages of the caravan are that you will be tied to a prescribed schedule. You can go off to something not on the caravan, but then you'll probably miss something on the caravan that you have already paid for.

So if you decide to go, I'm sure you'll have a marvelous time.

Ed Headington

[subtroll]

In the past 12 years we have participated in 6 SMART caravans and One Good Sam (Oshkosh) and thoroughly enjoyed every one. We made life-long friends each time. The social side is better than the scenery and the scenery is pretty good. We spent 62 days on an Alaska caravan and about the same in the Maritimes and many trips west. SMART caravans are planned and executed by volunteer Wagon Masters and Assistants. Many take more than a year to plan and incorporate the lessons and highlights of previous trips.

Recommend reading some of the caravan journals in the Archive section of SMART's website www.smartrving.net

[John_S_]

Did an adventure caravan to the Balloonfest. Did not like it as it was not well run. I know Foretravel runs them for owners with a full mechanic and parts trailer. I had a friend who was a tail gunner and they really do not fix stuff but he lead trrips later to Alaska and panama and other places. It is too structured for me to take one again.

[mike_brez]

ArchHoagland wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
I would like to get some feedback if any of you have ever joined a RV Caravan. We were thinking of joining one next summer (2016) to the Eastern Provinces of Canada.

The trip that caught our attention is 58 days and they have 3 summer departures dates to pick from.

Over the years, we have done our own thing including driving around Lake Superior in 2008. I just thought it might be interesting to join a caravan as they have everything laid-out with free days included.

They also have a 'tail-gunner' with minor repair parts in case there is an issue.

Thanks,
MM.

How much does that 58 day trip cost?

About $9,495.00 for two people.

[ArchHoagland]

Mr.Mark wrote:
I would like to get some feedback if any of you have ever joined a RV Caravan. We were thinking of joining one next summer (2016) to the Eastern Provinces of Canada.

The trip that caught our attention is 58 days and they have 3 summer departures dates to pick from.

Over the years, we have done our own thing including driving around Lake Superior in 2008. I just thought it might be interesting to join a caravan as they have everything laid-out with free days included.

They also have a 'tail-gunner' with minor repair parts in case there is an issue.

Thanks,
MM.

How much does that 58 day trip cost?