But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Save this trip to your favorites or other list. All Rights Reserved. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! CONNECT WITH US. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. Its gonna cost you. 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Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. They also dont work. Is Grand Circle Travel Still In Business - Pine Knoll Lodge & Cabins 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. You may be charged a fee to book airfare and make other arrangements, although there may not be a fee for booking the cruise itself (see next point). The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. was no longer offering refunds. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. 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. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. We value your privacy. Payments. 2 hour wait for phone contact. 166,000 travelers in 2007. Would take take this tour all over again! The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Grand Circle LLC Company Profile | Boston, MA - Dun & Bradstreet While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips. Care for a soda? If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. That can get a little noisy. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Airlines are sidestepping refund regulations established by the United States Transportation Department and the European Union, betting that negative press (and even class-action lawsuits) are still preferable to negative-balance bank accounts. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. The cabin is for sleeping. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? It doesnt have to. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. We are only a month out. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. I respected allan lewis and spoke highly of him till i saw that he is not a man of his word and terminated loyal people and hire stupid ones he fooled us and i think this company is toxic ,he knew about sexual harassment for women and didn't do anything about itRead More. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. . Unsubscribe easily. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. This is my first experience with them. Its Grand Circle Travel division offers all-inclusive package tours at a leisurely pace while its Overseas Adventure subsidiary organizes small groups for land, canal barge, and small ship journeys of the more. 1Is cruising safe?What kind of cruise should I take?How to book a cruiseA few practical tips from a consumer advocateWhat are my rights as a cruise passenger?Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights?If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund?Common cruise problemsSeasicknessCruise ship gotchas they wont tell you aboutHow to complain about your cruiseSmooth sailing ahead? And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. Is cruising really safe now? I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. It is impossible to reach this company. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. 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. We plan to go to Iceland. It appears that the main cause of Grand Circle Travel's financial issues is attributed to a decrease in demand for the company's services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. They have a bad reputation and that reputation is very on point, To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse, Overall, 55% of employees would recommend, Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Work Here? Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. 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. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square What's going on? Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. The right to transportation to the ships scheduled port of disembarkation, or the passengers home city, in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. 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. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. 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. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Grand Circle Travel This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. 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. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Whether its an optional shore excursion or an onboard auction, the cruise line wants more of your money than you spent on the cruise fare. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. UNACCEPTABLE!! Youre out of luck. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. NBC10 Boston Responds Recovers Over $71K for Viewers on Canceled Cookie Policy - Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. So should you take a cruise this year? Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. 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! Industry: Travel Agencies. Tasteless food. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. Were always here to help. Youre on vacation. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. And when they do, they are often underreported. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. 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. No answer to emails or snail mail. Grand Circle CEO Alan First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Help! For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Unsubscribe at any time. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. 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. 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. How Can I Get $$ back?? Is it just your server? If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Aleksandar Norsic - Manager, Beverage Development & Operations - The In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Youre one of a million, literally. 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. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. I purchased my own flights. In response, Grand What are my rights as a cruise passenger? <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Theyre not. No answer. 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. Overseas Adventure Travel | Better Business Bureau Profile Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! And most passengers accepted the credit. Grand Circle Foundation Giving back to the world we travel Upload Your Photos, Videos & Slideshows Share your trips with fellow travelers Special Offers The Seine: Paris to Normandy Average Group Size: 38-45 Travelers Traveler Reviews (611) 84% Traveler Excellence Rating Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. 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. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. 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. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the companys financial struggles. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced To Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Here are some of the risks. 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. 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. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Vrbo took my $1,270! 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. 4x. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. 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. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. This profile has not been claimed by the company. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Check out our directory. Want a welcome drink? fleet of more than 50 ships. Here are some of the risks. 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. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Agents are not free. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. 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. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. You raise an important point. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Overseas Adventure Travel And then it took them over 3 months to give us back our money which they did only after numerous phone call attempts and letters to management. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. Contact Us - FAQ. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. 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! Get travel insurance. Did we mention it's free? Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. complain to the Federal Maritime Commission, HERE'S WHAT ID IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXT CRUISE, HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE, How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, Help! You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. We value your privacy. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. 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. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. Grand Circle Corp - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Working At Grand Circle Travel: Employee Reviews and Culture rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Lunch was provided in the cost. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. But it refuses to refund his money. 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. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. But why cant I get a refund? In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. You can request a roommate if you travel solo to save on the s We had a great tour guide in Ivan, was very knowledgable, friendly and very considerate of peoples concerns. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. That's not entirely true. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. But we need to cancel. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Dont let this be you. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Our help is free. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. 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). I am still pursuing my refund. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions.

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