These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. The office environment is really casual. Overseas Adventure Travel: Reviews, Complaints, Customer Claims I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. 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. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Last minute changes OK, You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type, Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Where is it? A porter will deliver it to your room. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. operator. The Grand Circle Family | About Us | Grand Circle Travel Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Grand Circle Travel Profile [2023] - 35 reviews, 13 trips - Travelstride How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? . (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). 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. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Type: Company - Private. No answer. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. It doesnt have to. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Always arrive the day before your cruise. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? 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. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. they would travel with the company again.". By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. 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. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. They do plenty of one on ones. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Absolutely the worst travel agency in the business the service is virtually nonexistent and if you need to contact them, be prepared to spend hours listening to their recorded music after which the line will probably go dead. 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. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. 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. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Its gonna cost you. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. 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. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. 166,000 travelers in 2007. Is Grand Circle Travel Still In Business - Pine Knoll Lodge & Cabins All Rights Reserved. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? What's going on? Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. Its their terms. Avoid like the plague! You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. 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. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Theyre not. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Virtually zero. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. 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. 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. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the companys financial struggles. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing peoples lives through international travel. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. 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. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well The cabin is for sleeping. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. Grand Circle LLC Company Profile | Boston, MA - Dun & Bradstreet They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. So should you take a cruise this year? Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? There are many other health perils at sea. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was Do they distribute it among the staff? Claim your Free Employer Profile. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. And cruise lines dont like to do that. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Book directly with the operator. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 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. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. 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! trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Youre one of a million, literally. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. I could not have asked for a better experience! Our Mission: We strive to be the world leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for American travelers over 50providing impactful and intercultural experiences that significantly improve the quality of their lives. 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. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Required fields are marked *. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. 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. But stay off the phone. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . Now it wont refund my $3,606. But we need to cancel. 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. GRAND CIRCLE - 60 Reviews - 347 Congress St, Boston, MA - Yelp Grand Circle Travel Booted Out of BBB - Fodor's Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. You may feel like a number. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as ), Back to O. 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 Tasteless food. In 1993, Bad service. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Its not just one problem, but many. 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. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. 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. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. But which one is right for you? 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel Youre out of luck. They dont have any way to contact them. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Unsubscribe at any time. This company must not have enough staffing. Over the years they have. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Were always here to help. All Rights Reserved. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Don't do business with these people. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Harriet Lewis will Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Payments. Lunch was provided in the cost. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. 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. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. 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. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. But whats this $452 bill? The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Dont let this be you. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Its extra. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. And when they do, they are often underreported. 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). Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. 1Is cruising safe?What kind of cruise should I take?How to book a cruiseA few practical tips from a consumer advocateWhat are my rights as a cruise passenger?Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights?If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund?Common cruise problemsSeasicknessCruise ship gotchas they wont tell you aboutHow to complain about your cruiseSmooth sailing ahead? I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. General Air Questions. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Ill make it simple. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Overseas Adventure Travel | Better Business Bureau Profile Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress (Its all taken care of.) There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. Help! Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Nevertheless, Grand Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. 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.
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