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.. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. 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. Answer: Yes. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Travel Protection. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that again.. operator. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. I could not have asked for a better experience! We plan to go to Iceland. And cruise lines dont like to do that. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 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! Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. 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. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Unsubscribe at any time. $7000 in their pocket. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. 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. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 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. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. 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. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. Grand Circle cancels two of Ernest Belzil's tours. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. 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. 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). They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. Absolutely the worst travel agency in the business the service is virtually nonexistent and if you need to contact them, be prepared to spend hours listening to their recorded music after which the line will probably go dead. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. 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. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. Is cruising really safe now? Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. Overseas . OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. Required fields are marked *. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, the Americas or around https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Grand-Circle-to-be-sold-to-private-equity-firm. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Ill make it simple. 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. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. (Take a look at your travel insurance policy, BTW, and see if it covers financial default by the tour operator, in which case you're covered if Grand Circle goes down the drain). Always arrive the day before your cruise. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. complain to the Federal Maritime Commission, HERE'S WHAT ID IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXT CRUISE, HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE, How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, Help! 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 So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. There are many other health perils at sea. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. They have a bad reputation and that reputation is very on point, To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse, Overall, 55% of employees would recommend, Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Work Here? There are mice in my vacation rental! And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. It is impossible to reach this company. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. This is definitely a travel experience well suited to older American travelers in the 60+ range, seeking a degree of comfort, in their travel experience, within a mid to high budget range. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Why? 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. 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. Its gonna cost you. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Advertising - refund if a trip is canceled. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. We are only a month out. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. He tried to justify the change as one of a country change but I read him the GCT policy which I received in writing as part of my final trip documents. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Support. They also operate overseas travel adventures. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Inside 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Watch for food-borne illnesses. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Candidates give an average difficulty score of 3.1 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) for their job interview at Grand Circle Travel. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. Here are some of the risks. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Come on! It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. Its not just one problem, but many. I have flights with Grand Circle. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Uh-uh. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Bad service. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! ), Back to O. 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. FAQ. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. 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. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. You may feel like a number. Why? 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. Unsubscribe easily. Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Established in 1958. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. 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. Vrbo took my $1,270! One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. 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. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. they would travel with the company again.". By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Were always here to help. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. In response, Grand UNACCEPTABLE!! 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. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. 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. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. 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. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Dont let that happen to you. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Agents are not free. Get travel insurance. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. This profile has not been claimed by the company. 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 contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. 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. Privacy Statement - Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Care for a soda? Its extra. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. 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. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). (Its all taken care of.) In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. 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. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. What if you miss your deadline? Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. How can I reach them?? Its been eight months. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. And when they do, they are often underreported. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. Do they distribute it among the staff? EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. No, no, no. 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. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings.