Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. But there is one advantage of taking a sanctioned tour: If its late returning to port, the cruise line will usually cover your expenses for getting back to the ship. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, a passenger is standing at the dock with the ship steaming off into the distance. They also operate overseas travel adventures. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. But whats this $452 bill? We are only a month out. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. But why cant I get a refund? He tried to justify the change as one of a country change but I read him the GCT policy which I received in writing as part of my final trip documents. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Type: Company - Private. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Just to name a few, we have danced the Turkey with school children in Costa Rica, climbed the Mayan Temples of Tikal, laid roses with Veteran travelers at the grave of the WWII Cemetery in Normandy and walked the ancient stone boulevards of Ephesus. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. When will cruising feel safe again to you? A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. The right to have included on each cruise lines website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? The office environment is really casual. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. All rights reserved. Watch for food-borne illnesses. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. As Preferred Sir Edmund Hillary Club / Inner Circle Customers, having made five previous trips with this company (customer number 962737), we pre-reserved our trip for mid-April 2021, and paid in full before the end of February 2020, over a year in advance. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Anyone can read what you share. ), Back to O. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? If you leave the country, you must have a passport. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. NBC10 Boston Responds reached out to Grand Circle Travel on their behalf and the company issued refunds for all six couples, returning more than $71,000 to them. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. They also foster a community of dedicated travelers, encouraging you to share your memories, images, and stories with them and the friends you meet along the way. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. This company policy was the reason I booked with them in the first place, because, as we all know, vaccinations may keep one out of the hospital but does NOT keep one from contracting COVID. Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. undisclosed amount. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. 166,000 travelers in 2007. But there are lots of cruise options. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Always check before booking.). Nevertheless, Grand Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Advertising - For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. In Illinois, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act was created in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals. Try to call this phone number 1-800-221-0814/1-877-220-2610, holding for 2 hours cannot get a connection, if The Cruise Company cancel the trip they should automatically refund your money, finally I have through the credit card company to dispute payment. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Support. Its an online travel agency. USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. FAQ. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. Not a week goes by that my advocates dont receive a case from someone who didnt have enough travel insurance and faced a large bill at the end of a cruise. Even email or call back. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. But stay off the phone. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. Answer: Yes. A link has directed you to this review. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. The right to have available, on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters, full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shoreside medical care becomes available. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the company's financial struggles. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. 2 hour wait for phone contact. Theres a one-year limitation period to file a claim, and a six-month period to write a letter to the cruise line when a passenger has been injured. they would travel with the company again.". Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. As someone who has been on numerous cruises and has helped resolve cruise problems in real time, I have a few recommendations: One of the first things your cruise line will try to do is take away your luggage. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. A human travel agent who can take the time to sit down with you and talk about your cruise options is a tried-and-true way to buy a cruise. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. Specialties: The leader in small ship and river cruising worldwide - offering American travelers a 4-star experience at a 3-star price aboard our privately owned and chartered fleet. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. In 1993, Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. He paid Vantage $18,536. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. However, if Grand Circle Travel fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could lead to layoffs, reduced wages, office closures, and a decrease in the quality of its services. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. That's not entirely true. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. as its customer service. You may feel like a number. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. Here are some of the risks. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. To Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. Join us on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 4-6PM at our corporate headquarters located at 347 Congress Street in Boston and see if we can change yours, Happy Monday! While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better If relaxing on the cruise with a book in hand for hours on end, gliding by quiet European shores is your idea of a grand old time then Grand Circle is for you! Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. Grand Circle Travel has been bounced out of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Massachusetts, Maine & Vermont because of a slew of complaints regards the company's cancellation policy -. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. But, if the extraordinary number of reader complaints I have received more than a dozen and counting are any indication, they have been doing so anyway. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Payments. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Youre one of a million, literally. This is definitely a travel experience well suited to older American travelers in the 60+ range, seeking a degree of comfort, in their travel experience, within a mid to high budget range. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. (Take a look at your travel insurance policy, BTW, and see if it covers financial default by the tour operator, in which case you're covered if Grand Circle goes down the drain). Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. The cabin is for sleeping. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. Now it wont refund my $3,606. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Dont let that happen to you. operator. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. Its gonna cost you. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? (How generous of you!) also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as Grand Circle Corp., a Boston-based travel agency, has weathered many events since it was founded in 1958 by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) creator Ethel Andrus. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. The "older sibling" of Grand Circle Cruise Line, Grand Circle Travel specializes in land tours for Americans of baby boomer age and above (fifty-plus, but leaning toward the plus). Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. would not recommend extremely long for no reason, multiple interviews just for entry level, low paying roles you will work weekends rude staff They do not respect your time. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. Bad service. Its their terms. If, for example, youre taking your extended family on an anniversary cruise, youll probably want to find a cruise specialist with experience dealing with large groups. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. Youre out of luck. Washington requires travel companies to issue cash refunds within 14 days (or 30 days when the funds are already paid to a vendor, as might be the case for a tour operator) when they cancel a service. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. But which one is right for you? Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. This is definitely a travel experience well suited to older American travelers in the 60+ range, seeking a degree of comfort, in their travel experience, within a mid to high budget range. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Claim your Free Employer Profile. . How many can you get right in 1 minute? Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Uh-uh. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago.