Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Despite the customer A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 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. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. 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! This company must not have enough staffing. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. No. Any amount of compensatory. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. But there are lots of cruise options. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. This is my first experience with them. 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. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. Is cruising really safe now? Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. How can I reach them?? In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. Always check before booking.). The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an Contact Us - Bad service. 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. 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). Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time.
Grand Circle Corp - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. Youre in control. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. 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. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. I have flights with Grand Circle. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. How many can you get right in 1 minute? 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. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 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. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. (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). Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. 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A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. 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. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. 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. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Today, Grand Circle If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Often, they succeed. Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. But why cant I get a refund? We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. Youre on vacation. Dont let this be you. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. It has. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Want a welcome drink? Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. 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. fleet of more than 50 ships. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. But which one is right for you? Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. What's going on? Support. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. The right to lodging if disembarkation and an overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. undisclosed amount. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip.
Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs 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. 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. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. 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. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. Grand Circle Travel Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? acquired by Travelport earlier this year.
Grand Circle Travel [GCT] - Complaints Board If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. (Its all taken care of.) It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. was no longer offering refunds. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip.
Grand Circle LLC Company Profile | Boston, MA - Dun & Bradstreet Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Capital portfolio company. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. The right to transportation to the ships scheduled port of disembarkation, or the passengers home city, in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. 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. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. They also dont work. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). Help! And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. Ill make it simple. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Tasteless food. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. again.. What should I do? Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Answer: Yes. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. 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. Good luck. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. Travel Protection. Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid.
Aleksandar Norsic - Manager, Beverage Development & Operations - The Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Privacy Statement -
Grand Circle Family of Travel Companies | O.A.T. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. If you test positive, cruise lines will confine you to quarters or to a special section on the cruise ship for infected passengers, usually for the duration of the voyage. 4x. 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. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 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. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. 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. Harriet Lewis will
Coronavirus: Massachusetts unemployment claims spike amid travel You raise an important point. 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. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. 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!
The ultimate guide to taking a cruise now - Elliott Report I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. 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. Lunch was provided in the cost. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Overseas . Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability.