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The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. 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. 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. It doesnt have to. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. 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 -. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. 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. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? An Analysis Youre in control. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. as its customer service. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Grand Circle Travel That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. All Rights Reserved. How Can I Get $$ back?? 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. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Last minute changes OK, You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type, Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics. And cruise lines dont like to do that. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Archive - While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Vrbo took my $1,270! In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. Do they distribute it among the staff? 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. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the companys financial struggles. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. Credits And Savings. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Overseas . All Rights Reserved. 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. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! 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. 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. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. I am still pursuing my refund. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Here are some of the risks. Even though this place offers a month-long training class, I think it would be best if newer agents get taught more basics before they are put on the floor to deal with customers. 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. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Will this be the busiest spring break ever? How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Its an online travel agency. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Quite frankly, I don't know if I was infected by other passengers (there were others on the same cruise that came down with Covid before I did) or if I infected others. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. 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. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Its gonna cost you. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Be the first one to find this review helpful. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. How many can you get right in 1 minute? 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. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. My wife and I would have been able to have a table to ourselves, not because we are anti-social, but because we would have been safer. 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. All rights reserved. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. 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! We value your privacy. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. 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 read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. Over the years they have. Americas +1 212 318 2000. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. Were always here to help. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. The ultimate guide to taking a cruise now - Elliott Report Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. You raise an important point. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. 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. BEWARE of Grand Circle Travel SCAMS!!! - Fodor's trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. I was told last year I could not cancel the trip and they rescheduled it but now I cannot even reach them to find out if I can change the trip. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Help! 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.