Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? This profile has not been claimed by the company. Unsubscribe easily. Do they distribute it among the staff? Grand Circle canceled my tour twice. How about a refund? The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. I dont want to be obligated to Grand Circle. Answer: Yes. How are they allowed to keep my money? GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. How do you buy a cruise, then? Claim your Free Employer Profile. 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. 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. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Over the years they have. There are mice in my vacation rental! I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? All rights reserved. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. We plan to go to Iceland. Virtually zero. 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. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Your email address will not be published. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. How can I reach them?? Always arrive the day before your cruise. they would travel with the company again.". FAQ. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. They also operate overseas travel adventures. 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. 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. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. | Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. Nevertheless, Grand Book directly with the operator. Would take take this tour all over again! The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. And when they do, they are often underreported. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. He provided us with so much information. There are many other health perils at sea. It doesnt have to. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Help! Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. All Rights Reserved. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Don't do business with these people. Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000 that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Refund for a trip cancelled by Grand Circle tTours - Senior Travel 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. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! They dont have any way to contact them. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). 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. 2 hour wait for phone contact. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. Good luck. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). Its been eight months. Exploring the Basics, Benefits, and Policies, How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. How Much Does Grand Circle Travel Pay in 2023? (403 Salaries) 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. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. But why cant I get a refund? Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). 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. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. Preparing for Your Trip. 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. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. Get travel insurance. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. In response, Grand If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. fleet of more than 50 ships. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. Its their terms. Required fields are marked *. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. GRAND CIRCLE - 60 Reviews - 347 Congress St, Boston, MA - Yelp These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. No answer to emails or snail mail. O.A.T. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. When you try to contact someone by phone. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Check out our directory. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. undisclosed amount. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Were always here to help. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. 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. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. 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. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. You raise an important point. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. CONNECT WITH US. Uh-uh. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. One-on-one service and attention to detail. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. I have flights with Grand Circle. Often, they succeed. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it Its extra. You should read it before you leave. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. $7000 in their pocket. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) | ConsumerAffairs Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Privacy Statement - Read More rugged variety. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. It is impossible to reach this company. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Credits And Savings. 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. again.. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Even email or call back. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Dont let this be you. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Any amount of compensatory. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. 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. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Watch for food-borne illnesses. But whats this $452 bill? 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. 1958. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Contact Us - The office environment is really casual. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings.