If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! 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. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Privacy Statement - Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? . I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Grand Circle Travel Warning - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. 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. O.A.T. Book directly with the operator. It is impossible to reach this company. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Anyone can read what you share. 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. Dont let that happen to you. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Overseas Adventure Travel Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. Grand Circle Travel [GCT] - Complaints Board Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. 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? According to the After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. 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Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). And then it took them over 3 months to give us back our money which they did only after numerous phone call attempts and letters to management. Would take take this tour all over again! How much of a cut does the cruise line take? The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. 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. All Rights Reserved. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. A porter will deliver it to your room. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. 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. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. You raise an important point. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) 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. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Youre in control. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Read More rugged variety. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . There are mice in my vacation rental! Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Capital portfolio company. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! 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). In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. 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. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. was no longer offering refunds. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? When will cruising feel safe again to you? How are they allowed to keep my money? Your email address will not be published. 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. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, the Americas or around https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Grand-Circle-to-be-sold-to-private-equity-firm. 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. We are only a month out. Grand Circle Travel Profile [2023] - 35 reviews, 13 trips - Travelstride If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. Grand Circle Family of Travel Companies | O.A.T. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. Overseas Adventure Travel: Reviews, Complaints, Customer Claims Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Inside Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. No, no, no. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. But we need to cancel. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Do they distribute it among the staff? NBC10 Boston Responds reached out to Grand Circle Travel on their behalf and the company issued refunds for all six couples, returning more than $71,000 to them. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. 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. Help! Want a welcome drink? Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. 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. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000 What should I do? Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. I purchased my own flights. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Why? they would travel with the company again.". All rights reserved. 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. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Here are some of the risks. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. Often, they succeed. It doesnt have to. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. He provided us with so much information. That's not entirely true. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. 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. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica.