And when they do, they are often underreported. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. . 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Lunch was provided in the cost. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. When will cruising feel safe again to you? 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. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. 1958. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Where is it? Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Unsubscribe easily. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. Always arrive the day before your cruise. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. It is the nature of the industry - whether it be hotels, air, packages, tours - that there are a wide variety of cancellation policies out there. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. 2 hour wait for phone contact. Now it wont refund my $3,606. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. 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. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. (How generous of you!) ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Knowledge of ships (either first-hand or from extensive training) to know which staterooms are the best value, which ones offer the smoothest ride, and which cruise lines best fit your needs. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. 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. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. But there are lots of cruise options. 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. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. 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. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). again.. 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. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. 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! By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. CONNECT WITH US. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures. I have flights with Grand Circle. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. 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. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. But it refuses to refund his money. This is my first experience with them. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Grand Circle cancels two of Ernest Belzil's tours. 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. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. 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. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. They do plenty of one on ones. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Is it just your server? I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! Travel Protection. They also operate overseas travel adventures. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. I would not recommend the company. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. I am still pursuing my refund. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Youre on vacation. Nevertheless, Grand that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. There are many other health perils at sea. Book directly with the operator. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. They canceled my flight. 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? Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. operator. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. fleet of more than 50 ships. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better TripAdvisor, ConsumerAffairs and other review sites show lingering frustrations about the companys coronavirus policies, but several Times readers, according to emails Ive received, have made headway by filing parallel complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. 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. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. 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. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York (Thats just asking for trouble.) And cruise lines dont like to do that. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Youre one of a million, literally. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Dont let this be you. 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. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was Not only did GCT require vaccination, including a booster, paperwork sent to me in my final packet, one week before departure, stated GCT policy "G.C.C.L requires all travelers wear facemasks when in public spaces while on board the ship and/or while traveling in a coach bus." Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. 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). 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. We plan to go to Iceland. 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 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. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Youre in control. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? 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. 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. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. Inside Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Why? Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? View travel requirements for countries around the world. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Theyre not. Do they distribute it among the staff? Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? Established in 1958. 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. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Get travel insurance. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Its their terms. So should you take a cruise this year? However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? 2023 Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210 We use cookies to improve your experience, by using our site you accept such use. Help! Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. The office environment is really casual. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Virtually zero. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. That's not entirely true. 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. Americas +1 212 318 2000. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Harriet Lewis will 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. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? The Lewises expanded The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. 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. Come on! Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Were always here to help. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. Would take take this tour all over again! 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. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. 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. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? General Air Questions. The best they do is send a canned letter saying how sorry they are that they are behind in correspondence because of having to frequently change airline reservations for various tours. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an as its customer service. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. That can get a little noisy. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. 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. They also dont work. You raise an important point. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Even though this place offers a month-long training class, I think it would be best if newer agents get taught more basics before they are put on the floor to deal with customers. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. 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. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . 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. 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. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Care for a soda? A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. 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. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Unsubscribe easily. 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 -. 1. But whats this $452 bill? A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. Learn the word no, and use it often. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf.
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