Unsubscribe easily. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. 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. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. 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 Here are some of the risks. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. 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. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Often, they succeed. Its an online travel agency. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 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! He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. Grand Circle CEO Alan I purchased my own flights. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Grand Circle Travel Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. 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. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Good luck. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. And most passengers accepted the credit. Tasteless food. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. 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. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Soon we discovered they had changed our cabin without notifying us and that one of the flights had disappeared . Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Youre on vacation. 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. Dont let this be you. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. 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. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Virtually zero. What if you miss your deadline? They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. Capital portfolio company. 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. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Book directly with the operator. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. The office environment is really casual. The Lewises expanded The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. as its customer service. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. NBC10 Boston Responds reached out to Grand Circle Travel on their behalf and the company issued refunds for all six couples, returning more than $71,000 to them. In response, Grand Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Roz. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Manager in development of Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar operations with outstanding record and experience in top award winning companies, Apollo Group, Celebrity Cruises, Valamar Hotels & Resorts and Grand Circle Travel. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. 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. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Avoid like the plague! 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. 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. You should read it before you leave. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress 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. Want a welcome drink? 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. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Always check before booking.). 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. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York Thats not entirely true. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. How do you buy a cruise, then? Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. 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. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? fleet of more than 50 ships. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. Why? 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. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. 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. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an . Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. This could ultimately lead to a decline in customer loyalty and revenue for Grand Circle Travel. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. $7000 in their pocket. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. 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. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing peoples lives through international travel. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Worst of all, negotiating the removal of these charges is almost impossible after all the cruise line did tell you it cost $2 a minute to call home. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. 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. 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. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and How can I reach them?? (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. But whats this $452 bill? We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. 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. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? 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. 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Support. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 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. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? The cabin is for sleeping. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. It doesnt have to. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. I am still pursuing my refund. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. CONNECT WITH US. 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. (How generous of you!) Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. As Preferred Sir Edmund Hillary Club / Inner Circle Customers, having made five previous trips with this company (customer number 962737), we pre-reserved our trip for mid-April 2021, and paid in full before the end of February 2020, over a year in advance. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. 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. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Did we mention it's free? They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Unsubscribe at any time. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. (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). Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. To Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Unsubscribe easily. This profile has not been claimed by the company. And when they do, they are often underreported. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. . Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Were always here to help. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. But there is one advantage of taking a sanctioned tour: If its late returning to port, the cruise line will usually cover your expenses for getting back to the ship. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Answer: Yes. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. What should I do? Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Youre one of a million, literally. 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. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. 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. Travel Protection. Would take take this tour all over again! 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! They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. Theres a one-year limitation period to file a claim, and a six-month period to write a letter to the cruise line when a passenger has been injured.