How can I reach them?? I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! was no longer offering refunds. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. O.A.T. Over the years they have. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. 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. (Thats just asking for trouble.)
Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. 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. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Here are some of the risks. Industry: Travel Agencies. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. Its been eight months. It doesnt have to. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. | Tasteless food. How Can I Get $$ back?? Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Nevertheless, Grand Vrbo took my $1,270! The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Would take take this tour all over again! Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! Dont let that happen to you. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? I would not recommend the company. they would travel with the company again.". About Grand Circle Corporation
If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Get travel insurance. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. 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. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. 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 right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. 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. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. 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. No. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full Anyone can read what you share. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing peoples lives through international travel. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? 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. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. I purchased my own flights. Is it just your server? 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. 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. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? 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. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. No answer to emails or snail mail. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. 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. The cabin is for sleeping. Payments. 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! However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. Answer: Yes. But there are lots of cruise options. 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. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. 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. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Harriet Lewis will 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. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . (Its all taken care of.) There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. 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. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). 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. You raise an important point. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. No answer. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises.