Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. 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. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. Grand Circle Foundation Giving back to the world we travel Upload Your Photos, Videos & Slideshows Share your trips with fellow travelers Special Offers The Seine: Paris to Normandy Average Group Size: 38-45 Travelers Traveler Reviews (611) 84% Traveler Excellence Rating This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Is cruising really safe now? Is it just your server? They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Did we mention it's free? The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. 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. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. Always arrive the day before your cruise. 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. Advertising - While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. And cruise lines dont like to do that. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. According to the The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. FAQ. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). The office environment is really casual. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Credits And Savings. Where is it? If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Capital portfolio company. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Want a welcome drink? This is my first experience with them. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. We value your privacy. they would travel with the company again.". The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 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. 2 hour wait for phone contact. We value your privacy. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Grand Circle Travel Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. undisclosed amount. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. As Preferred Sir Edmund Hillary Club / Inner Circle Customers, having made five previous trips with this company (customer number 962737), we pre-reserved our trip for mid-April 2021, and paid in full before the end of February 2020, over a year in advance. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. This company must not have enough staffing. And most passengers accepted the credit. 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. 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. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. 1958. 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. 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. 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. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Agents are not free. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. Do they distribute it among the staff? Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Americas +1 212 318 2000. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. There are mice in my vacation rental! And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. No. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. 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). They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Preparing for Your Trip. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. No answer. 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. Don't do business with these people. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Learn the word no, and use it often. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. 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. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. The cabin is for sleeping. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, a passenger is standing at the dock with the ship steaming off into the distance. (Thats just asking for trouble.) A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. 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. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Furthermore, Grand Circle Travel has also experienced a decrease in revenue due to the cancellation of numerous trips and the refund of deposits to customers. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. complain to the Federal Maritime Commission, HERE'S WHAT ID IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXT CRUISE, HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE, How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, Help! Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. would not recommend extremely long for no reason, multiple interviews just for entry level, low paying roles you will work weekends rude staff They do not respect your time. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. (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). Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. 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. 166,000 travelers in 2007. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. No longer. Get travel insurance. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. 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. 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. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Travel Protection. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Our help is free. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . If youd rather have a bit more action, or are after a "see a lot, do a lot" city and country hopping pace, this style of travel is probably not going to hit the right note for you. 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. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. They canceled my flight. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. 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. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. So should you take a cruise this year? For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Inside There are many other health perils at sea. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Industry: Travel Agencies. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. They dont have any way to contact them. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprisecomprised of a family of travel companiescommitted to changing people's lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. 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. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. 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. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? 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. 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. They do plenty of one on ones. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Now it wont refund my $3,606. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. 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. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Why? Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Care for a soda? Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Archive - See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? The Lewises expanded 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. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. But there are lots of cruise options. One-on-one service and attention to detail. 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.
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