Cairns Great Barrier Reef - Feedback

Wednesday 17th February 2010

I still and will probably continue to be speechless when asked what snorkelling GBR was like, at least I don't cry anymore but still filled with awe brings a tear to eyes, its true, you have to see it for yourself, so thats what I tell people. When I was being transferred the following day to the airport the driver asked me who I went with, when I said Tusa5, he said 'Oh! well you went with one of the best' and not having anything to compare Tusa5 to I agreed because it couldn't have been better. You are are great team, exude professionalism and knowledge, yet so personable and interactive with your guests and to top it off lunch was really good food. After witnessing the Skipper see a person from our tour so far out before pulling up stumps and having to send a runabout to fetch her, your motto should be 'No One Gets Left Behind' hahahahahahah Thanks again Frances

Frances

Monday 11th January 2010

Good Afternoon Cindy,

I have been told by Dave Johnson in the Cairns shop that you are the person that I should contact to send my feedback regarding my recent trip to the reef on Tusa5.

My sister has been a dive instructor for 25 years and my husband a diver for at least 30 years and regardless of their patience and coaching, have not been able to dispel my fear of jumping off a boat to snorkel in the ocean in an area where I could not see land or know that I could stand up if I wanted to (we have had many trips out in WA where I have frozen and not been able to leave the boat). Mind you I consider myself to be a very strong swimmer and have been an active surf life saver in the past, so no idea where this fear came from.

Anyway my sister had been out with the crew on Tusa5 on a number of occasions during 2009 and raved about the boat, the crew and most of all the reef that she had dived over, so she bought me a day trip for Christmas this year to go snorkeling (she has not convinced me to learn to dive yet) and so we headed out on the 30th to put me to the test yet again.

Well somewhere between leaving Cairns and arriving at Milne Reef, the fear had almost disappeared and although I was the last into the water at the first site just to take my time, once into the water, I did not come out until I had to and was the last in from the water. At the next site, I was first in and last out and the fears had all gone. When asked by my sister, (who was in total amazement), what had changed, all I could think of was that, despite there being 60 passengers on board, I felt like I was being looked after individually and I gained a very strong feeling of being safe and in capable and experienced hands, as a result of the safety procedures in place on the boat and my treatment by the crew. This included seeing them swing into action (all very calmly and almost covertly) to render first aid to a passenger that feinted after returning from snorkeling. I work in the mining industry overseas and am in charge of QA, OHS and Environmental Compliance and so am very aware of the importance of having safe systems of work that people not just comply with, but believe in and live.

Please convey my sincere thanks to Dean and all of the crew on the boat that day. They have changed my life by removing the fear I previously had and allowed me to enjoy the magic of our great barrier reef, they are all amazing ambassadors for your company and for the diving industry in general .

I am booked to go again tomorrow and will book every opportunity that I can when I am home in Australia on break and have even vowed to learn to dive sometime during 2010. The staff in the shop helped me buy my own gear today and Dave was also very helpful and friendly.

Congratulations to your team and keep up the great work.

Yours sincerely
Deborah Hayman

Deborah - Australia

Monday 28th September 2009

Just wanna pass on some thanks to the crew for an unique and amazing time in the reef yesterday.

I was asked by the crew to share my unique experiences simply because I had experiences with other ships.

So for anyone that is intend to dive or snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef, this is the bit of info you wouldn't want to miss!!

Vessel - the fastest and the most stabilized ship I have ever been on, because is custom built, space and comfort is exceptional. TUSA T5 is extremely focused on enhancing the customer experiences, hence the number of passenges will not exceed 50% of the maximum number of seating, this means, there is more interaction with the crew, and its more relaxed. Excellent size of sundeck, especially the front deck, make sure that you get to it on the way home, you will experience "The King of the World", the experiece is "Price Less"

Crew - Experienced, friendly, multi-cultural crew, everyone of them deserve a round of applause, if i could I would hug everyone of them, because they are a part of my uniquie experiences.

Food - Excellent food such as fresh salad, meat, dessert, coffee and tea provided, unlike others would BBQ, the greasiness will make you feel more uncomfortable. Special mention about the fresh water on board, icey drinking water is provided at NO CHARGE and others will charge $2 per bottle.

Equipment Hire - TUSA T5 provides the best equipment, the prices all ready includes all snorkel wear, and compare to others TUSA T5 has all the premium gears. eg, TUSA T5 provides rubber shoes to prevent from slippery and your ankles from the flipper.

Day Trips - Snorkelling and dives are excellent, TUSA T5 goes to two different sites every single day, and trust me they do have some "Exclusive" sites, and they do know where Turtle and Shark is.
(Saw a sleeping 2m White tip shark in the afternoon snorkelling)

Prices - This is a topic everyone wants to know.
TUSA T5 provides good value for money, No extra for wetsuit, EMC is the lowest, provides the most advanced vessels with space, comfort and stabilities, premium equipment hire, no extra for fresh drinking water (trust me, you will need a lot during the day, I spend at least $10 on fresh water with others)

Trust me, look out for TUSA T5, you will not regret it,

Regards

Alan Tsai (Bris Vegas)

ALAN - Brisbane

Friday 25th September 2009

Hello-

Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you all for a GREAT trip! My husband and I went for our first dive on September 16, 2009 aboard the Tusa 5. Your team was amazing!! Paul was our first guide and he was so kind and patient with me. I had a hard time initially and he took the time to calm my nerves and help me. There were also 2 other divers that were great as well. One girl was from Boston and the other was from Canada, I believe her name was Dana? They were also so kind and patient- holding my hand and checking on me to be sure i was okay. I would highly recommend this experience and kudos to ALL members of your dive team!!
Thanks again-
Raili and Steve Nett

Raili and Steve

Monday 21st September 2009

Very nice site!

alexk866

Thursday 9th July 2009

Good evening,

My name is Jason Rochester. I was on the tour on Friday the 3rd out to the Reef and had a wonderful time! Thank you so much for making my time in Australia very enjoyable. I'm particularly grateful for the watchful staff who noticed that I was wearing glasses and made it a point to find a snorkel mask that closely matches my prescription. I was amazed at how clearly I could see in the water. Thanks again for a very wonderful experience on the Reef and a great port visit here in Cairns.

Sincerely,
Jason

Chaplain Jason Rochester
USS ESSEX (LHD 2)

Jason - USA

Wednesday 29th April 2009

Just wanted to say a big thanks to the staff on T5. They were awesome . Lots of help, friendly and tolerant. A special big hello and thanks to Mossy, Lana, and Kimbo all who made my trips out to the reef so enjoyable. My girlfriend couldnt snorkel due to the flu so we missed out on our Sunday trip. But i plan on coming again to do a live aboard trip. Thanks again and a big Yeehaw from Calgary. Grant

Grant - Calgary

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Guys,

We just want to say we had an amazing time. Perfect crew, food, boat and of course the dive spots. Gear was up to date and that made it one great day.

Keep up the great work and the quality!!

Thanks for everything!

Greetings,

Silke and Maarten

PS the photos are amazing

Silke and Maarten - Holland

Thursday 23rd April 2009

Gidday from New Zealand

I had a day trip (with my wife) and must say that the treatment I recieved was 2nd to none.
I had phoned a couple of weekes ago and spoke to a really helpful woman and that contact made my mind up that if I was able to have a dive on my holiday, Tusa Dive would be the company that I WOULD dive with.
My face to face contact was with Michelle and I found her to continue the treatment that I recieved, and when Scotty picked us up from The Lakes the treatment continued.
Scotty was a wealth of information and a bluudy nice guy . I am, large and suck air like it was water in the desert and I was a bit supprised that the tanks were slightly smaller, but Scotty was quick to offer his fathers tank and BCD that ended by being a better fit to my more generous frame :-[ and for this I am sincerly grateful.
I have written a small comment on the fishing site that I am constantly a reader of (www.thefishingshow.co.nz) ( forums, reports) in which I have noted your company and the efforts put in.
You are truly lucky to have staff like both Michelle and Scotty (not takeing anything away from the rest) and I cannot wait for my next visit
bringing with me my daughter (14) that is also a diver.

Please feel free to use this email or contact me if anyone wants further recomendations of your operation

Thanks again
Regards
Barrie McKoy

Barrie - New Zealand

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

I just wanted to pass on my thanks for a great day on the Great Barrier Reef.

We all had a wonderful time and the crew onboard the boat were friendly, approachable and very helpful. As a family we loved the relaxed approach to the day. Taking a small group allows that Aussie tradition of having a laugh and "taking the mickey" really shine through.

I enjoyed both snorkelling locations and we loved the opportunity to hire an underwater camera onboard. We have some great photos as a souvenir of our day.

The food was exactly right, lots of fresh, healthy salad and meats.

Although I don't think families are your target market I would recommend Tusa to anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxed day on the Reef.

Thanks again,

Vanessa