Dont let this be you. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. 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. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. 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. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. All rights reserved. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. (Its all taken care of.) 4x. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. 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. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. 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. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. 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. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that What are my rights as a cruise passenger? If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. Come on! And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. 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. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Youre in control. Lunch was provided in the cost. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. 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? After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Good luck. Americas +1 212 318 2000. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. This profile has not been claimed by the company. 166,000 travelers in 2007. Youre one of a million, literally. Now it wont refund my $3,606. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. It is the nature of the industry - whether it be hotels, air, packages, tours - that there are a wide variety of cancellation policies out there. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. 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. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. 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. We value your privacy. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. 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. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. 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. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Its not just one problem, but many. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . 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. UNACCEPTABLE!! Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. Its gonna cost you. 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! 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. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. 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. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. 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. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Ill make it simple. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. Thats because you are a number. Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. 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. 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. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. 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. Overseas . Youre on vacation. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprisecomprised of a family of travel companiescommitted to changing people's lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. You may feel like a number. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Do they distribute it among the staff? The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Always arrive the day before your cruise. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? When you try to contact someone by phone. How can I reach them?? Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Its extra. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Try to call this phone number 1-800-221-0814/1-877-220-2610, holding for 2 hours cannot get a connection, if The Cruise Company cancel the trip they should automatically refund your money, finally I have through the credit card company to dispute payment. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Over the years they have. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. Solo travelers make up nearly a third of Grand Circle's customers, and they're made to feel more than welcome on group tours, including some price breaks on single supplements. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? Inside In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. $7000 in their pocket. Capital portfolio company. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. He provided us with so much information. Support. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. 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. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. 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.. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? You can also appeal your case to a company executive. Get travel insurance. Vrbo took my $1,270! Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. You should read it before you leave. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? ), Back to O. But there are lots of cruise options. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. This is my first experience with them. No answer to emails or snail mail. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. Required fields are marked *. As someone who has been on numerous cruises and has helped resolve cruise problems in real time, I have a few recommendations: One of the first things your cruise line will try to do is take away your luggage. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? I have flights with Grand Circle. Is cruising really safe now? 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. They canceled my flight. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario?