is grand circle travel in financial trouble

The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. Want a welcome drink? 4x. The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. Check out our directory. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Exploring the Basics, Benefits, and Policies, How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. 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. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? I could not have asked for a better experience! Virtually zero. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. My wife and I would have been able to have a table to ourselves, not because we are anti-social, but because we would have been safer. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. How many can you get right in 1 minute? You should read it before you leave. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. spokeswoman said the company is working to improve our processes and to better address the needs of each traveler whose trip was canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. And when they do, they are often underreported. Payments. Were always here to help. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. No answer. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Its extra. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 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. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Harriet Lewis will has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. 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. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. 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. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Always arrive the day before your cruise. The cabin is for sleeping. The Lewises expanded Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. I have flights with Grand Circle. They canceled my flight. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. Your email address will not be published. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. 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. 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. Claim your Free Employer Profile. Archive - Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Grand Circle Travel But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. There are mice in my vacation rental! The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. fleet of more than 50 ships. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. 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. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. Overseas . A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. 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. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. No, no, no. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. What's going on? The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . How do you buy a cruise, then? Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. 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. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Theyre not. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. 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. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. 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. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. This company must not have enough staffing. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. 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. Read More rugged variety. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. 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. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Here are some of the risks. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. All Rights Reserved. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the company's financial struggles. 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. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. We plan to go to Iceland. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. 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. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. When you try to contact someone by phone. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it Tasteless food. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour He provided us with so much information. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Avoid like the plague! Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! Cookie Policy - There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? They also operate overseas travel adventures. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full But not for cruises. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . Unsubscribe easily. 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. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. Advertising - Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. 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. Help! 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. Did we mention it's free? Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Its gonna cost you. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. How Can I Get $$ back?? No longer. 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. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. again.. Over the years they have. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! Good luck. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. That can get a little noisy. 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). You raise an important point. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. But whats this $452 bill? But why cant I get a refund? 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. So should you take a cruise this year? (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.).

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