Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Uh-uh. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. Bad service. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. It is impossible to reach this company. 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. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). Do they distribute it among the staff? Now it wont refund my $3,606. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. How Can I Get $$ back?? Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. One-on-one service and attention to detail. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. Payments. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. According to the Theyre not. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. 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. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? Here are my strategies for advocating your case. (Thats just asking for trouble.) Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. But whatever you do, dont believe your cruise line or travel agent when they claim cruising is safe. Theres no form of travel thats safe right now. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. Youre out of luck. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. . Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. 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. 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. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. 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. How do you buy a cruise, then? So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. They also operate overseas travel adventures. 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. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Itineraries are designed for American travelers, with an aim towards immersive experiences such as visiting local homes, interesting walking tours, in-depth cultural interactions and culinary experiences. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). We are only a month out. All rights reserved. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. 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. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. 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. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 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. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. 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. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. 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. 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. Learn the word no, and use it often. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). And cruise lines dont like to do that. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! 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. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. We value your privacy. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. 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. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Youre one of a million, literally. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? 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. Grand Circle CEO Alan (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). Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Your email address will not be published. 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. Archive - Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. 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. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Join us on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 4-6PM at our corporate headquarters located at 347 Congress Street in Boston and see if we can change yours, Happy Monday! Grand Circle Travel Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. They dont have any way to contact them. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. No answer to emails or snail mail. 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. He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. 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. Industry: Travel Agencies. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. Help! Manager in development of Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar operations with outstanding record and experience in top award winning companies, Apollo Group, Celebrity Cruises, Valamar Hotels & Resorts and Grand Circle Travel. Its not just one problem, but many. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. 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.. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. They do plenty of one on ones. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . acquired by Travelport earlier this year.
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