That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? It has. 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. Thats not entirely true. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. No answer. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. To No answer to emails or snail mail. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. Overseas . By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. 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. Industry: Travel Agencies. I purchased my own flights. 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. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. 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. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. 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. Any amount of compensatory. 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Were always here to help. . Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that 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. UNACCEPTABLE!! Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Unsubscribe easily. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. 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. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. They do plenty of one on ones. 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. Special access to agent-only discounts. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. 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. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Agents are not free. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an Advertising - Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. Its Grand Circle Travel division offers all-inclusive package tours at a leisurely pace while its Overseas Adventure subsidiary organizes small groups for land, canal barge, and small ship journeys of the more. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. fleet of more than 50 ships. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. In 1993, We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Unsubscribe easily. Grand Circle Travel has been bounced out of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Massachusetts, Maine & Vermont because of a slew of complaints regards the company's cancellation policy -. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. they would travel with the company again.". 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. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. All Rights Reserved. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. And when they do, they are often underreported. How Can I Get $$ back?? So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. 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. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. undisclosed amount. Roz. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. He paid Vantage $18,536. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Youre one of a million, literally. How Much Does Grand Circle Travel Pay in 2023? (403 Salaries) In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Always check before booking.). Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Watch for food-borne illnesses. No. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? According to the Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. Its an online travel agency. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable.