This profile has not been claimed by the company. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. Over the years they have. 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 of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. UNACCEPTABLE!! 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. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Is it just your server? 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. Traveler Reviews. Any amount of compensatory. They do plenty of one on ones. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. as its customer service. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? 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. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. 1958. 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. Grand Circle Travel I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! However, if Grand Circle Travel fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could lead to layoffs, reduced wages, office closures, and a decrease in the quality of its services. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. You should read it before you leave. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. 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. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Often, they succeed. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Read More rugged variety. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. They are completely incompetent at this point. 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. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? 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. 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. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. 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. 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. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that All rights reserved. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. 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. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. Travel Protection. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Archive - Always arrive the day before your cruise. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. Virtually zero. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Capital portfolio company. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. 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. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. To 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. undisclosed amount. 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. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? I purchased my own flights. 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. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). 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. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Book directly with the operator. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. FAQ. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. refund if a trip is canceled. You raise an important point. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Lunch was provided in the cost. Today, Grand Circle Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. They also dont work. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. Learn the word no, and use it often. 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. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. Anyone can read what you share. Its their terms. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. 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 But not for cruises. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Here are some of the risks. But we need to cancel. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. 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. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. How are they allowed to keep my money? 2 hour wait for phone contact. 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. Despite the customer Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. Grand Circle CEO Alan And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. This is my first experience with them. What should I do? It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. He provided us with so much information. It doesnt have to. I was told last year I could not cancel the trip and they rescheduled it but now I cannot even reach them to find out if I can change the trip. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. The Lewises expanded Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. But which one is right for you? Come on! 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. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. Per the Holland Ministry of Tourism, Tulip season runs from the end of March until mid May, but the flowers are usually at their best halfway through April. On the 22nd of April 2020 we received an unsolicited call from James, a representative of GCT/OAT informing us that our reservation for Holland and Belgium in Springtime, originally departing April 17, 2021, had been unilaterally cancelled and that we had been arbitrarily and without our permission or knowledge rebooked for the same tour departing March 17, 2021. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. 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. That can get a little noisy. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Good luck. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. Want a welcome drink? 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. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Here are my strategies for advocating your case. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Save this trip to your favorites or other list. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? And when they do, they are often underreported. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? You are on hold for 2-3 hours. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. 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. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. 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. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. (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 delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. All Rights Reserved. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. When will cruising feel safe again to you? 1. Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Its not just one problem, but many. 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. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. The cabin is for sleeping. 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. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. 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. After a series of high-profile customer service incidents in 2012 and 2013, the cruise industry adopted a voluntary bill of rights for its passengers, to clearly communicate to them their rights regarding comfort and care in a number of important areas. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. 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. Preparing for Your Trip. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Unsubscribe at any time. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. 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. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. 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. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. Dont let that happen to you. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. 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! I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Credits And Savings. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. They dont have any way to contact them. Advertising - During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? In 1993, 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. 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. 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. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Claim your Free Employer Profile. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. You may feel like a number. Type: Company - Private. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. View travel requirements for countries around the world. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. I could not have asked for a better experience! EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Watch for food-borne illnesses. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Youre out of luck. Support. We value your privacy. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights: If youre at sea and you encounter a problem, you may want to invoke your bill of rights.. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. I have flights with Grand Circle. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand 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). But whats this $452 bill? But stay off the phone. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. 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. 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. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Check out our directory. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website.
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