You are on hold for 2-3 hours. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Want a welcome drink? 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 free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. 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. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. operator. No. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. (How generous of you!) While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. How can I reach them?? A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Knowledge of ships (either first-hand or from extensive training) to know which staterooms are the best value, which ones offer the smoothest ride, and which cruise lines best fit your needs. That can get a little noisy. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. 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. Grand Circle Family of Travel Companies | O.A.T. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. And when they do, they are often underreported. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Help! 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? 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. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel 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. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. They are completely incompetent at this point. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. (Its all taken care of.) What if you miss your deadline? Youre in control. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. 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. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . I am still pursuing my refund. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Per the Holland Ministry of Tourism, Tulip season runs from the end of March until mid May, but the flowers are usually at their best halfway through April. On the 22nd of April 2020 we received an unsolicited call from James, a representative of GCT/OAT informing us that our reservation for Holland and Belgium in Springtime, originally departing April 17, 2021, had been unilaterally cancelled and that we had been arbitrarily and without our permission or knowledge rebooked for the same tour departing March 17, 2021. 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. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Grand Circle Travel Profile [2023] - 35 reviews, 13 trips - Travelstride (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. 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. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Were always here to help. No, no, no. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Save this trip to your favorites or other list. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the company's financial struggles. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. Privacy Statement - 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. A porter will deliver it to your room. Not a week goes by that my advocates dont receive a case from someone who didnt have enough travel insurance and faced a large bill at the end of a cruise. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. 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. You raise an important point. Learn the word no, and use it often. Here are some of the risks. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Harriet Lewis will Check out our directory. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Bad service. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. Is it just your server? We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Always check before booking.). Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. They also dont work. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. View travel requirements for countries around the world. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . undisclosed amount. Grand Circle Corp - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. 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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Is Grand Circle Travel Still In Business - Pine Knoll Lodge & Cabins If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. 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. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. I could not have asked for a better experience! How are they allowed to keep my money? Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Americas +1 212 318 2000. The cabin is for sleeping. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Archive - We value your privacy. Despite the customer Unsubscribe at any time. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. 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. 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. 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! I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Come on! Its extra. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. No answer. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. 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 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. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. The Grand Circle Family | About Us | Grand Circle Travel Grand Circle canceled my tour twice. How about a refund? Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Now it wont refund my $3,606. Support. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Its their terms. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Overseas . Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) - ConsumerAffairs In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. 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. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. ), Back to O. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. 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. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. | (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. Youre one of a million, literally. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. 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. Its not just one problem, but many. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. Good luck. 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. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Anyone can read what you share. But why cant I get a refund? What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? 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. But whats this $452 bill? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Try to call this phone number 1-800-221-0814/1-877-220-2610, holding for 2 hours cannot get a connection, if The Cruise Company cancel the trip they should automatically refund your money, finally I have through the credit card company to dispute payment. Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? 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. Youre out of luck. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. 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. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. 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. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. 166,000 travelers in 2007. But it refuses to refund his money. Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000 I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. 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.. Why? There are mice in my vacation rental! See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. 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. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. The Lewises expanded But not for cruises. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips. Over the years they have. Do they distribute it among the staff? The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. Unsubscribe easily. 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. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. 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. Here are some of the risks. You should read it before you leave. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Today, Grand Circle Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. 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. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. they would travel with the company again.". Virtually zero. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. . See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. fleet of more than 50 ships. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. 1. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. To 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. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). 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). When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. 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 -.

Isn't It Past Your Bedtime Comebacks, Decatur County Arrests, How Far Did The Ethiopian Eunuch Travel, Mexican Cartel Colorado, Articles I