He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. 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. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. 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. In response, Grand A porter will deliver it to your room. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. Travel Protection. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. 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. Were always here to help. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? 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. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. To Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Its gonna cost you. Why? On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. 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. 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. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. But it refuses to refund his money. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Nevertheless, Grand One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. There are mice in my vacation rental! Even email or call back. Industry: Travel Agencies. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Advertising - acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. 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. No longer. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. 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. 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. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. 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). Harriet Lewis will Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Tasteless food. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Youre in control. 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. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. I have flights with Grand Circle. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. How are they allowed to keep my money? Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square they would travel with the company again.". Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 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. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . About Grand Circle Corporation No answer to emails or snail mail. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Do they distribute it among the staff? The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Payments. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Americas +1 212 318 2000. Roz. 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. Special access to agent-only discounts. 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 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. Get travel insurance. 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. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. That's not entirely true. But stay off the phone. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. 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. Lunch was provided in the cost. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. Its not just one problem, but many. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Required fields are marked *. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. 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. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. 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. How many can you get right in 1 minute? View travel requirements for countries around the world. Youre on vacation. They canceled my flight. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. 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. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. That can get a little noisy. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. Is cruising really safe now? If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Preparing for Your Trip. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand Watch for food-borne illnesses. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. 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. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. What should I do? refund if a trip is canceled. 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. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. 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. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 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. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. 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. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (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). https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Grand Circle CEO Alan That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. It has. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. 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. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? They dont have any way to contact them. fleet of more than 50 ships. Youre out of luck. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. FAQ. No, no, no. Would take take this tour all over again! Inside Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Is it just your server? Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. 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. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. | Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Here are some of the risks. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Traveler Reviews. 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 -. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. 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. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. 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.

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