Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Overseas Adventure Travel | Better Business Bureau Profile The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. spokeswoman said the company is working to improve our processes and to better address the needs of each traveler whose trip was canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. Preparing for Your Trip. Grand Circle CEO Alan Without adequate funding, the company may be unable to invest in new technologies or hire the best talent to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Our help is free. 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. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. 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. Last minute changes OK, You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type, Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Check out our directory. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. Furthermore, Grand Circle Travel has also experienced a decrease in revenue due to the cancellation of numerous trips and the refund of deposits to customers. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Dont let this be you. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Temperatures of travelers were NEVER taken on the cruise, and, although ship was approximately 1/2 full, only approximately 1/2 of the tables were being utilized. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Refund for a trip cancelled by Grand Circle tTours - Senior Travel Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. Vrbo took my $1,270! Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. FAQ. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. My wife and I would have been able to have a table to ourselves, not because we are anti-social, but because we would have been safer. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Grand Circle cancels two of Ernest Belzil's tours. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Uh-uh. A porter will deliver it to your room. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. No answer to emails or snail mail. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Exploring the Basics, Benefits, and Policies, How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! What should I do? You may feel like a number. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. $7000 in their pocket. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. 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. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. 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. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. 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. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. And most passengers accepted the credit. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Were always here to help. I purchased my own flights. He paid Vantage $18,536. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. But stay off the phone. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Answer: Yes. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Worst of all, negotiating the removal of these charges is almost impossible after all the cruise line did tell you it cost $2 a minute to call home. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full They do plenty of one on ones. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. 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. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. If you test positive, cruise lines will confine you to quarters or to a special section on the cruise ship for infected passengers, usually for the duration of the voyage. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! CONNECT WITH US. Per the Holland Ministry of Tourism, Tulip season runs from the end of March until mid May, but the flowers are usually at their best halfway through April. On the 22nd of April 2020 we received an unsolicited call from James, a representative of GCT/OAT informing us that our reservation for Holland and Belgium in Springtime, originally departing April 17, 2021, had been unilaterally cancelled and that we had been arbitrarily and without our permission or knowledge rebooked for the same tour departing March 17, 2021. The ultimate guide to taking a cruise now - Elliott Report Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. . I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Contact Us - Its location on this page may change next time you visit. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprisecomprised of a family of travel companiescommitted to changing people's lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. The main thing I have to say to others is: There are many tour Companies out there, now is the time to dismiss GCT and try someone else. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. 1958. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. And cruise lines dont like to do that. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. That can get a little noisy. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Now it wont refund my $3,606. Tasteless food. 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. Overseas Adventure Travel: Reviews, Complaints, Customer Claims UNACCEPTABLE!! undisclosed amount. GRAND CIRCLE - 60 Reviews - 347 Congress St, Boston, MA - Yelp ), Back to O. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. 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). was no longer offering refunds. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. He provided us with so much information. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers.
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