Sunsail seem to have capsized - alternatives?
Discussion
We've had a few Sunsail trips now - Greece and Turkey and the first few we loved. The staff seemed to be having a great party of a summer and we as guests were included - the atmosphere rubbed off. This was something new and special. The heads of staff (catering, front of house and beach) were all present all the time, easy to approach and communicate with. Socialising between the staff and guests was built in to the experience - OK, we learnt a little too much about the romantic lives of the staff but it lent that personal touch. We kind of joined them in their party.
Not this summer. They seem to have been acquired a couple of years ago (by First Choice aka Air Tours?) and new rules apply. A reduced level of socialising seems to have been introduced and it's not a shadow of what it was before. The staff aren't having fun. In fact they seem driven hard. Their rules are much harsher and when we told them of previous year's management having bought the drinks for the staff party they were incredulous. All this rubs off too. Very few were there in previous years (a change from the repeat staff we saw before) and all seem to regret the changes and where before a lot were looking forward to the whole season before; this year almost all were starting to regret having signed up to the whole season and some expressed a desire to get out. In previous years we were tutored by literally world class watersports competitors who were enjoying the summer there - not this year. The atmosphere was "professional" at best. All the catering and house staff appeared to have been rented as a local package so no English or communication or rapport.
Before you ask, I have no interest in, nor do I know anyone who works or has worked for Sunsail. The obvious others in the sector are Mark Warner but I hear they are quite regimented too, what do people think? Does anyone else do family orientated holidays with childcare and sailing and a laid-back atmosphere?
Not this summer. They seem to have been acquired a couple of years ago (by First Choice aka Air Tours?) and new rules apply. A reduced level of socialising seems to have been introduced and it's not a shadow of what it was before. The staff aren't having fun. In fact they seem driven hard. Their rules are much harsher and when we told them of previous year's management having bought the drinks for the staff party they were incredulous. All this rubs off too. Very few were there in previous years (a change from the repeat staff we saw before) and all seem to regret the changes and where before a lot were looking forward to the whole season before; this year almost all were starting to regret having signed up to the whole season and some expressed a desire to get out. In previous years we were tutored by literally world class watersports competitors who were enjoying the summer there - not this year. The atmosphere was "professional" at best. All the catering and house staff appeared to have been rented as a local package so no English or communication or rapport.
Before you ask, I have no interest in, nor do I know anyone who works or has worked for Sunsail. The obvious others in the sector are Mark Warner but I hear they are quite regimented too, what do people think? Does anyone else do family orientated holidays with childcare and sailing and a laid-back atmosphere?
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