Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? 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 there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. If, for example, youre taking your extended family on an anniversary cruise, youll probably want to find a cruise specialist with experience dealing with large groups. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, the Americas or around https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Grand-Circle-to-be-sold-to-private-equity-firm. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. 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. 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. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Harriet Lewis will Claim your Free Employer Profile. 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! Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. Grand Circle to be sold to private equity firm - Travel Weekly But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 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 -. Payments. Why? When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. 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? But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. They do plenty of one on ones. Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Archive - Is it just your server? If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. That can get a little noisy. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. Always check before booking.). The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. 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. 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. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Grand Circle CEO Alan If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. 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. 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. Unsubscribe easily. Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. 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. Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel only offered a $250 credit per person to be applied to a future trip, and the option of booking another trip altogether. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. But stay off the phone. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. 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. 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. Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. ), Back to O. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Youre out of luck. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor 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. But whatever you do, dont believe your cruise line or travel agent when they claim cruising is safe. Theres no form of travel thats safe right now. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. They also operate overseas travel adventures. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. So should you take a cruise this year? Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. 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. I am still pursuing my refund. Grand Circle Travel [GCT] - Complaints Board In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. Youre one of a million, literally. Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000 For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. You raise an important point. How do you buy a cruise, then? Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. 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. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Did we mention it's free? A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. In response, Grand The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Inside Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? 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. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a Its not just one problem, but many. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! 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. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. 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. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. 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. Book directly with the operator. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) - ConsumerAffairs FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. 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. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Aleksandar Norsic - Manager, Beverage Development & Operations - The Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? One-on-one service and attention to detail. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. Why? The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. 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. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. 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. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. There are mice in my vacation rental! By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. 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. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. We are only a month out. The cabin is for sleeping. Industry: Travel Agencies. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. But it refuses to refund his money. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Uh-uh. Working At Grand Circle Travel: Employee Reviews and Culture 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. No answer to emails or snail mail. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Is cruising really safe now? 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. (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). A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Youre on vacation. This profile has not been claimed by the company. 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. 4x. You should read it before you leave. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. It appears that the main cause of Grand Circle Travels financial issues is attributed to a decrease in demand for the companys services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. | Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. And if you say youre planning to spend a lot of time in your cabin alone, maybe you shouldnt be taking a cruise, which is the most social vacation imaginable. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. 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. Even email or call back. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Overseas Adventure Travel Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? 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." They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. Here are some of the risks. Just to name a few, we have danced the Turkey with school children in Costa Rica, climbed the Mayan Temples of Tikal, laid roses with Veteran travelers at the grave of the WWII Cemetery in Normandy and walked the ancient stone boulevards of Ephesus. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. A porter will deliver it to your room. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Masters concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs
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