is grand circle travel in financial trouble

They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. He provided us with so much information. . 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. The Lewises expanded When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. 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. Why? Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line 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. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. 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. One-on-one service and attention to detail. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. | Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel only offered a $250 credit per person to be applied to a future trip, and the option of booking another trip altogether. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. Bad service. 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 Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's 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? In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? The office environment is really casual. 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. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. Harriet Lewis will And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. 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. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. But not for cruises. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Grand Circle Travel [GCT] - Complaints Board But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. Would take take this tour all over again! And then it took them over 3 months to give us back our money which they did only after numerous phone call attempts and letters to management. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. refund if a trip is canceled. Thats not entirely true. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. After a series of high-profile customer service incidents in 2012 and 2013, the cruise industry adopted a voluntary bill of rights for its passengers, to clearly communicate to them their rights regarding comfort and care in a number of important areas. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Did we mention it's free? Dont let that happen to you. Avoid like the plague! These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. Here are some of the risks. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. It has. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. How Can I Get $$ back?? Want a welcome drink? as its customer service. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. I am still pursuing my refund. Book directly with the operator. And cruise lines dont like to do that. 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 ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. When you try to contact someone by phone. This company must not have enough staffing. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Required fields are marked *. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. We value your privacy. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. What's going on? And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. Vrbo took my $1,270! They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Watch for food-borne illnesses. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and 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. Cookie Policy - Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. This could ultimately lead to a decline in customer loyalty and revenue for Grand Circle Travel. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Thats because you are a number. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. Grand Circle Travel Booted Out of BBB - Fodor's Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. 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 -. He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. 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. Overseas . Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. The cabin is for sleeping. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Our Mission: We strive to be the world leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for American travelers over 50providing impactful and intercultural experiences that significantly improve the quality of their lives. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. CONNECT WITH US. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. 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. 2 hour wait for phone contact. 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! Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. We are only a month out. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? 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. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. How are they allowed to keep my money? (How generous of you!) Travel Protection. Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. Youre on vacation. The ultimate guide to taking a cruise now - Elliott Report 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.. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. 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. Check out our directory. NBC10 Boston Responds Recovers Over $71K for Viewers on Canceled I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Our help is free. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Its an online travel agency. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. $7000 in their pocket. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. 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. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Anyone can read what you share. Grand Circle CEO Alan 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. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. Why? No. Over the years they have. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Oceania further cements itself as a cruise line for foodies, bestowing the honor of Vista godmother on the celebrity chef and Norway entices visitors with new places to stay and things to do, Travel agency consortium Ensemble makes several hires, Delta and KLM sue Dutch government over Schiphol flight cuts, Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam airline alliance, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will reduce marketing spend, Destination America names Kirsten Bain CEO after Launder's retirement, Examining sub-IC issues from a host agency's point of view, Nayarit has a lot to offer luxury travelers, Nevada's congressional delegation reacts to Biden's 'Junk Fee' proposal, Giada De Laurentiis and Oceania Cruises, a delicious combination, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Trends in Travel Advisor Loyalty in the Airline Industry, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay opens on Kauai's North Shore, Viking says January was a record-breaking month, River cruise lines sail into Egypt with new ships and itineraries, Bad behavior prompts Carnival Cruise Line to beef up onboard security, Where weed is legal, hotels roll out new marijuana amenities, The party is pumping at Virgin Voyages' beach club. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Where is it? O.A.T. Now it wont refund my $3,606. Youre in control. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). (Its all taken care of.) Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. 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. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? 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. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. Virtually zero. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. 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. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. 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. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 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.

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