While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. 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. 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. 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. I would not recommend the company. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. 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. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. 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. Aleksandar Norsic - Manager, Beverage Development & Operations - The He provided us with so much information. Good luck. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. 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. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Despite the customer Roz. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. No answer to emails or snail mail. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. 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But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. $7000 in their pocket. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. again.. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. But we need to cancel. How are they allowed to keep my money? Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. 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. Its Grand Circle Travel division offers all-inclusive package tours at a leisurely pace while its Overseas Adventure subsidiary organizes small groups for land, canal barge, and small ship journeys of the more. Cookie Policy - It appears that the main cause of Grand Circle Travel's financial issues is attributed to a decrease in demand for the company's services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. undisclosed amount. 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. Nevertheless, Grand As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Capital portfolio company. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. ), Back to O. And most passengers accepted the credit. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Dont let that happen to you. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Learn the word no, and use it often. 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. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. they would travel with the company again.". I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. As a result of the pandemic, many people have become hesitant to travel, resulting in a significant drop in bookings for Grand Circle Travel. It is the nature of the industry - whether it be hotels, air, packages, tours - that there are a wide variety of cancellation policies out there. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Masters concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Solo travelers make up nearly a third of Grand Circle's customers, and they're made to feel more than welcome on group tours, including some price breaks on single supplements. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that We are only a month out. 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. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. 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. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. Were always here to help. 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. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the company's financial struggles. Your email address will not be published. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. Ill make it simple. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? We value your privacy. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. According to the The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. Over the years they have. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. Thats because you are a number. A link has directed you to this review. Check out our directory. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? It doesnt have to. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. CONNECT WITH US. Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. 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. 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 is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. 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. When will cruising feel safe again to you? You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Uh-uh. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. They are completely incompetent at this point. Archive - They do plenty of one on ones. 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. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. That can get a little noisy. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. 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. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. The office environment is really casual. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. Everything from non-refundable airfares to auto. But there are lots of cruise options. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. 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. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Not only did GCT require vaccination, including a booster, paperwork sent to me in my final packet, one week before departure, stated GCT policy "G.C.C.L requires all travelers wear facemasks when in public spaces while on board the ship and/or while traveling in a coach bus." All content is posted anonymously by employees working 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. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. It is impossible to reach this company. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Privacy Statement - The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). 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. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. They have a bad reputation and that reputation is very on point, To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse, Overall, 55% of employees would recommend, Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Work Here? Unsubscribe easily. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. To Unsubscribe at any time. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Contact Us - Its gonna cost you. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? 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. One-on-one service and attention to detail. How do you buy a cruise, then? Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. Overseas Adventure Travel: Reviews, Complaints, Customer Claims You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Established in 1958. 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 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. 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. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. Have a look at Princess passage contract: Doctors, nurses or other medical or service personnel work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier, since Carrier is not a medical provider. In other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a family member, the cruise line is off the hook. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? An Analysis Tasteless food. Harriet Lewis will This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end!