Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. (Its all taken care of.) Any amount of compensatory. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. Americas +1 212 318 2000. Harriet Lewis will In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. 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. There are mice in my vacation rental! What are my rights as a cruise passenger? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. General Air Questions. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. By offering more diverse experiences, such as virtual tours and staycations, Grand Circle Travel can draw in more customers and increase its revenue. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Roz. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. 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. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. 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. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. 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. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. Care for a soda? For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. NBC10 Boston Responds Recovers Over $71K for Viewers on Canceled An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. I would not recommend the company. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. Solo travelers make up nearly a third of Grand Circle's customers, and they're made to feel more than welcome on group tours, including some price breaks on single supplements. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. 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. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? 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. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. 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. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? It has. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. What if you miss your deadline? WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Learn the word no, and use it often. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. Where is it? also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. 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. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. A link has directed you to this review. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. But why cant I get a refund? Grand Circle to be sold to private equity firm - Travel Weekly Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. All Rights Reserved. they would travel with the company again.". Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Today, Grand Circle Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Uh-uh. It is impossible to reach this company. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. was no longer offering refunds. 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. No answer. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. We plan to go to Iceland. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Absolutely the worst travel agency in the business the service is virtually nonexistent and if you need to contact them, be prepared to spend hours listening to their recorded music after which the line will probably go dead. 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. Your email address will not be published. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. They also dont work. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. How can I reach them?? 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 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." When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Refund for a trip cancelled by Grand Circle tTours - Senior Travel I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. 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. I respected allan lewis and spoke highly of him till i saw that he is not a man of his word and terminated loyal people and hire stupid ones he fooled us and i think this company is toxic ,he knew about sexual harassment for women and didn't do anything about itRead More. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Grand Circle's Annual Report & Profile shows critical firmographic facts: What is the company's size? 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. Its gonna cost you. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? This could ultimately lead to a decline in customer loyalty and revenue for Grand Circle Travel. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. Here are some of the risks. 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. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. All Rights Reserved. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. 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! Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. O.A.T. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. 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. CONNECT WITH US. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . 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. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Why? please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Capital portfolio company. Grand Circle LLC Company Profile | Boston, MA - Dun & Bradstreet First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. 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. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/travel/coronavirus-refunds-overseas-adventure-travel.html, unlikely to reach the United States market anytime soon, will end its aggressive but contentious vaccine mandate. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. That can get a little noisy. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. (Take a look at your travel insurance policy, BTW, and see if it covers financial default by the tour operator, in which case you're covered if Grand Circle goes down the drain). Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? In 1993, 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. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Established in 1958. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. Watch for food-borne illnesses. 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. To They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. 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. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. 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. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Type: Company - Private. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Travel Protection. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Traveler Reviews. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! Even email or call back. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Often, they succeed. You raise an important point. Be the first one to find this review helpful. 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. Do they distribute it among the staff? Avoid like the plague! Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Overseas Adventure Travel It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. 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. 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. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . Advertising - 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. Its not just one problem, but many. 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? This is my first experience with them. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Grand Circle canceled my tour twice. How about a refund?