Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. 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. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Privacy Statement - A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. A porter will deliver it to your room. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Unsubscribe easily. 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. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. Harriet Lewis will 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. But why cant I get a refund? I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. 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. But it refuses to refund his money. Did we mention it's free? I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. 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. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Nevertheless, Grand Candidates give an average difficulty score of 3.1 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) for their job interview at Grand Circle Travel. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. About Grand Circle Corporation Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that What are my rights as a cruise passenger? The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. How can I reach them?? has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Read More rugged variety. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. Is it just your server? No answer to emails or snail mail. Manager in development of Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar operations with outstanding record and experience in top award winning companies, Apollo Group, Celebrity Cruises, Valamar Hotels & Resorts and Grand Circle Travel. 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. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 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. (How generous of you!) In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Quite frankly, I don't know if I was infected by other passengers (there were others on the same cruise that came down with Covid before I did) or if I infected others. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. But we need to cancel. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. 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. How are they allowed to keep my money? they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and When you try to contact someone by phone. Absolutely the worst travel agency in the business the service is virtually nonexistent and if you need to contact them, be prepared to spend hours listening to their recorded music after which the line will probably go dead. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. We are only a month out. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? All Rights Reserved. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. But not for cruises. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. This profile has not been claimed by the company. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. 1958. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Here are some of the risks. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. 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. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. 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. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Required fields are marked *. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. Its gonna cost you. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. 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! I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. as its customer service. I could not have asked for a better experience! It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Special access to agent-only discounts. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Our help is free. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. According to the 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. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. View travel requirements for countries around the world. No. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). 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. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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 Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. 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. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Good luck. 166,000 travelers in 2007. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. 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. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. Youre one of a million, literally. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. 1. 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 most passengers accepted the credit. Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. There are many other health perils at sea. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. 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. Get travel insurance. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 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. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. 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. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. Support. Youll probably get the deepest discounts, and in some cases, a price protection that assures you that if the fare drops, youll get a refund. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. Over the years they have. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? Check out our directory. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? Contact Us - 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). My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. (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 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. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. The Lewises expanded Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. We value your privacy. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. No longer. Why? After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. You should read it before you leave. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. 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. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. Ill make it simple. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. 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. fleet of more than 50 ships. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Were always here to help. Have a look at Princess passage contract: Doctors, nurses or other medical or service personnel work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier, since Carrier is not a medical provider. In other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a family member, the cruise line is off the hook. Youre on vacation. This is my first experience with them. What should I do? Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Anyone can read what you share. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. A link has directed you to this review. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Thats not entirely true. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? How much of a cut does the cruise line take? Come on! As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. 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. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. Trips are mostly all-inclusive, focusing on comfortable accommodations, informative and easy paced guided walking tours, cultural encounters, learning experiences, and special events that they call their Discovery Series. 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. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. How many can you get right in 1 minute? Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. Where is it? This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, My wife and I were excited to take our first river cruise with Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel (GCT/OAT) in The Netherlands in spring 2021 to see the flowers. 2 hour wait for phone contact. 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. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. The right to lodging if disembarkation and an overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Often, they succeed. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. O.A.T. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. Bad service. The cabin is for sleeping. We value your privacy. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about It doesnt have to. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/travel/coronavirus-refunds-overseas-adventure-travel.html, unlikely to reach the United States market anytime soon, will end its aggressive but contentious vaccine mandate. Help! The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. Payments. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. 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. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Solo travelers make up nearly a third of Grand Circle's customers, and they're made to feel more than welcome on group tours, including some price breaks on single supplements. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). They dont have any way to contact them. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their.
Pain Management Doctor Won't Prescribe,
How Old Is Lorenzo Manuali,
Fictional Characters Named Ryan,
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Score Interpretation,
Why Did Josie Shoot Matt In 19 Minutes,
Articles I