Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Archive - Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). They also foster a community of dedicated travelers, encouraging you to share your memories, images, and stories with them and the friends you meet along the way. 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. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. 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. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. 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. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Dont let that happen to you. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. And most passengers accepted the credit. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. So should you take a cruise this year? 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. 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. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. No. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Book directly with the operator. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. 1958. Good luck. But whats this $452 bill? So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. But it refuses to refund his money. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Here are some of the risks. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Don't do business with these people. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. 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. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. Is cruising really safe now? OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. Quite frankly, I don't know if I was infected by other passengers (there were others on the same cruise that came down with Covid before I did) or if I infected others. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. 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. Want a welcome drink? Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York Credits And Savings. But we need to cancel. 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. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. 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. A porter will deliver it to your room. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Thats because you are a number. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. again.. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. But why cant I get a refund? Its extra. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. Today, Grand Circle Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Your email address will not be published. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. 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. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! We plan to go to Iceland. Our help is free. (Thats just asking for trouble.) The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. 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. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. 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. The cabin is for sleeping. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. Lunch was provided in the cost. Were always here to help. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Required fields are marked *. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. 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. They have a bad reputation and that reputation is very on point, To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse, Overall, 55% of employees would recommend, Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Work Here? 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. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Privacy Statement - Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. There are mice in my vacation rental! Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. $7000 in their pocket. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. No, no, no. According to the 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. Even email or call back. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. Would take take this tour all over again! 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. Did we mention it's free? They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. undisclosed amount. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Over the years they have. No answer. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Advertising - 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. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Contact Us - Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Help! Unsubscribe at any time. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? they would travel with the company again.". There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. But not for cruises. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. fleet of more than 50 ships. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. 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. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Avoid like the plague! Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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 negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. The "older sibling" of Grand Circle Cruise Line, Grand Circle Travel specializes in land tours for Americans of baby boomer age and above (fifty-plus, but leaning toward the plus). 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. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Agents are not free. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? You can also appeal your case to a company executive. 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. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. Support. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. 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. 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. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. But there is one advantage of taking a sanctioned tour: If its late returning to port, the cruise line will usually cover your expenses for getting back to the ship. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. Come on! He provided us with so much information. 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. FAQ. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. 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. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. How Can I Get $$ back?? Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. 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. All Rights Reserved. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Its an online travel agency. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well 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. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. 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. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Often, they succeed. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. | 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. 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. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? 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! Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. The office environment is really casual. Americas +1 212 318 2000. How do you buy a cruise, then? 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. splash potion of blindness command,