We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. 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. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. I have flights with Grand Circle. Our help is free. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? 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. 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. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Itineraries are designed for American travelers, with an aim towards immersive experiences such as visiting local homes, interesting walking tours, in-depth cultural interactions and culinary experiences. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. 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. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. 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. 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. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. 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. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. The Grand Circle Family | About Us | Grand Circle Travel 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. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Get travel insurance. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Advertising - 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. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Why? What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Where is it? 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. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. 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. Industry: Travel Agencies. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. 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. (Thats just asking for trouble.) They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. And cruise lines dont like to do that. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. 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. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Is it just your server? But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. Over the years they have. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000 About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. 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. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. 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. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. Nevertheless, Grand Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. About Grand Circle Corporation #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Always check before booking.). I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. 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. How are they allowed to keep my money? After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. Grand Circle Travel Booted Out of BBB - Fodor's No, no, no. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Were always here to help. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about 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.. Join us on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 4-6PM at our corporate headquarters located at 347 Congress Street in Boston and see if we can change yours, Happy Monday! You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. No. Trips are mostly all-inclusive, focusing on comfortable accommodations, informative and easy paced guided walking tours, cultural encounters, learning experiences, and special events that they call their Discovery Series. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. And most passengers accepted the credit. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. Do they distribute it among the staff? CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? Working At Grand Circle Travel: Employee Reviews and Culture Grand Circle Travel Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Its an online travel agency. Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. Privacy Statement - This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Grand Circle to be sold to private equity firm - Travel Weekly Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. undisclosed amount. He provided us with so much information. I purchased my own flights. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Grand Circle Corp - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets How many can you get right in 1 minute? Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Support. Despite the customer We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. This company must not have enough staffing. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. They do plenty of one on ones. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. Is Grand Circle Travel Still In Business - Pine Knoll Lodge & Cabins Special access to agent-only discounts. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Overseas Adventure Travel And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. General Air Questions. 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. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. In response, Grand Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. 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! A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? An Analysis You raise an important point. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. This is my first experience with them. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. So should you take a cruise this year? Vrbo took my $1,270! But we need to cancel. Per the Holland Ministry of Tourism, Tulip season runs from the end of March until mid May, but the flowers are usually at their best halfway through April. On the 22nd of April 2020 we received an unsolicited call from James, a representative of GCT/OAT informing us that our reservation for Holland and Belgium in Springtime, originally departing April 17, 2021, had been unilaterally cancelled and that we had been arbitrarily and without our permission or knowledge rebooked for the same tour departing March 17, 2021. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. If youd rather have a bit more action, or are after a "see a lot, do a lot" city and country hopping pace, this style of travel is probably not going to hit the right note for you. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. But why cant I get a refund? For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. 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. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? 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is grand circle travel in financial trouble