With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. Don't do business with these people. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. Be the first one to find this review helpful. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. 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. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. Its gonna cost you. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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 odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? 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. Payments. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Good luck. A porter will deliver it to your room. (How generous of you!) Inside One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. 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. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. Answer: Yes. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. 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. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ How do you buy a cruise, then? 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Lunch was provided in the cost. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. Roz. . All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. 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. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. FAQ. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Theyre not. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. Read More rugged variety. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Ill make it simple. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. 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. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. You may feel like a number. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. Even email or call back. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. as its customer service. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Youre one of a million, literally. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. 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. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Do they distribute it among the staff? Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. 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. What if you miss your deadline? 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. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. 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. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. Check out our directory. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. 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. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, a passenger is standing at the dock with the ship steaming off into the distance. Anyone can read what you share. 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. 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. 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. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! 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. The right to have available, on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters, full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shoreside medical care becomes available. Did we mention it's free? Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. 2 hour wait for phone contact. There are many other health perils at sea. 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. Your email address will not be published. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. 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. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. 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. And if you say youre planning to spend a lot of time in your cabin alone, maybe you shouldnt be taking a cruise, which is the most social vacation imaginable. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. 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. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. 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. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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 prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. 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. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. Its been eight months. Thats not entirely true. Privacy Statement - Where is it? Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Harriet Lewis will However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. Why? 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. This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. They canceled my flight. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Dont let this be you. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. You raise an important point. Our help is free. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. What should I do? Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. What's going on? Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. Its their terms. 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. 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. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Unsubscribe at any time. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. 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. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Claim your Free Employer Profile. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. View travel requirements for countries around the world. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. 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. How many can you get right in 1 minute? Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. We plan to go to Iceland. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. Its an online travel agency. I purchased my own flights. Learn the word no, and use it often. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Grand Circle CEO Alan Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. A link has directed you to this review. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. It doesnt have to. 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. 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. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. 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! Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . All Rights Reserved. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. I am still pursuing my refund. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. 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.. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. | Contact Us - We are only a month out. 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). Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? 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! Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. Care for a soda? He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. No answer. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Here are some of the risks. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Avoid like the plague! Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Credits And Savings. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Its location on this page may change next time you visit. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. 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. Support. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Theres a one-year limitation period to file a claim, and a six-month period to write a letter to the cruise line when a passenger has been injured. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. 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. 1. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. Grand Circle Travel You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. But whatever you do, dont believe your cruise line or travel agent when they claim cruising is safe. Theres no form of travel thats safe right now. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. The main thing I have to say to others is: There are many tour Companies out there, now is the time to dismiss GCT and try someone else. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. But it refuses to refund his money. Established in 1958. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. UNACCEPTABLE!! We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. 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. But why cant I get a refund? The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown.