Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Youre one of a million, literally. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Want a welcome drink? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. No, no, no. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. All rights reserved. This is my first experience with them. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. In 1993, They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. Uh-uh. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. 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. Capital portfolio company. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. You raise an important point. Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. 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. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. 1958. 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. Get travel insurance. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. When you try to contact someone by phone. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. they would travel with the company again.". How much of a cut does the cruise line take? They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. 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. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. 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. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Inside But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. . (Thats just asking for trouble.) This could ultimately lead to a decline in customer loyalty and revenue for Grand Circle Travel. USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. How do you buy a cruise, then? While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Your stateroom is a place to sleep. They canceled my flight. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! All Rights Reserved. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? 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? For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. 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. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. operator. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Its not just one problem, but many. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Roz. Grand Circle Foundation Giving back to the world we travel Upload Your Photos, Videos & Slideshows Share your trips with fellow travelers Special Offers The Seine: Paris to Normandy Average Group Size: 38-45 Travelers Traveler Reviews (611) 84% Traveler Excellence Rating Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? The office environment is really casual. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. 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. 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. Airlines are sidestepping refund regulations established by the United States Transportation Department and the European Union, betting that negative press (and even class-action lawsuits) are still preferable to negative-balance bank accounts. 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. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Grand Circle Corp., a Boston-based travel agency, has weathered many events since it was founded in 1958 by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) creator Ethel Andrus. 4x. Here are some of the risks. 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. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Why? again.. But why cant I get a refund? 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. Our help is free. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. Industry: Travel Agencies. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. Always check before booking.). The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. To Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. A porter will deliver it to your room. 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. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. 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. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. 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. as its customer service. Vrbo took my $1,270! We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. undisclosed amount. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. 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. But whats this $452 bill? On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. $7000 in their pocket. It has. 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 an emailed statement, an O.A.T. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. 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. Not only did GCT require vaccination, including a booster, paperwork sent to me in my final packet, one week before departure, stated GCT policy "G.C.C.L requires all travelers wear facemasks when in public spaces while on board the ship and/or while traveling in a coach bus." But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. Learn the word no, and use it often. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. But there are lots of cruise options. They also dont work. 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. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Theyre not. 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. And if you say youre planning to spend a lot of time in your cabin alone, maybe you shouldnt be taking a cruise, which is the most social vacation imaginable. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Nevertheless, Grand One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. Youre in control. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free).