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. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. 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. fleet of more than 50 ships. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. Established in 1958. Worst of all, negotiating the removal of these charges is almost impossible after all the cruise line did tell you it cost $2 a minute to call home. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. What if you miss your deadline? What's going on? 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. 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. If, for example, youre taking your extended family on an anniversary cruise, youll probably want to find a cruise specialist with experience dealing with large groups. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. He provided us with so much information. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. 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. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. The Lewises expanded Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. 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. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. They do plenty of one on ones. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. (Thats just asking for trouble.) I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Required fields are marked *. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Youre in control. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Do they distribute it among the staff? Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. Were always here to help. 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. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. 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. Were always here to help. Industry: Travel Agencies. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. But there are lots of cruise options. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. It appears that the main cause of Grand Circle Travel's financial issues is attributed to a decrease in demand for the company's services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. Virtually zero. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. 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. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. It is impossible to reach this company. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). 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. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Harriet Lewis will The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. 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. 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. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. Its gonna cost you. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. Its not just one problem, but many. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. 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? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. We are only a month out. Dont let this be you. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Youre on vacation. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as They also foster a community of dedicated travelers, encouraging you to share your memories, images, and stories with them and the friends you meet along the way. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. 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). Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. I was told last year I could not cancel the trip and they rescheduled it but now I cannot even reach them to find out if I can change the trip. Inside By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. . I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Archive - In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. Support. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. 166,000 travelers in 2007. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. refund if a trip is canceled. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. 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. That's not entirely true. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. No longer. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well How Can I Get $$ back?? 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. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. I could not have asked for a better experience! All Rights Reserved. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy.
The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? Thats because you are a number. A porter will deliver it to your room. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. 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. 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. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. Americas +1 212 318 2000. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. 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! By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. 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. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Claim your Free Employer Profile. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. 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. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. 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. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? You should read it before you leave. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Youre out of luck. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. Book directly with the operator. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! A human travel agent who can take the time to sit down with you and talk about your cruise options is a tried-and-true way to buy a cruise. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. 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. Trips are mostly all-inclusive, focusing on comfortable accommodations, informative and easy paced guided walking tours, cultural encounters, learning experiences, and special events that they call their Discovery Series. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . But it refuses to refund his money. 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." The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. 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. $7000 in their pocket. Uh-uh. They canceled my flight. 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. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Unsubscribe easily. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? No, no, no. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. ), Back to O. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. 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. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! All Rights Reserved. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. The right to have included on each cruise lines website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. But not for cruises. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . 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. (How generous of you!) 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. 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. 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. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. 2 hour wait for phone contact. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. So should you take a cruise this year? For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. 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. Vrbo took my $1,270! This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. UNACCEPTABLE!! Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. 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. O.A.T. If relaxing on the cruise with a book in hand for hours on end, gliding by quiet European shores is your idea of a grand old time then Grand Circle is for you! Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. There are many other health perils at sea. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. But we need to cancel. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing peoples lives through international travel. 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. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 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. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the companys financial struggles. 1. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. We value your privacy. Specialties: The leader in small ship and river cruising worldwide - offering American travelers a 4-star experience at a 3-star price aboard our privately owned and chartered fleet. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. 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.