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. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. 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 This article will explore the causes, implications, and possible solutions to Grand Circle Travels financial troubles. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. So should you take a cruise this year? And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. No answer to emails or snail mail. An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong on paper. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Youre on vacation. We value your privacy. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. 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. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Harriet Lewis will Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. Contact Us - Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel only offered a $250 credit per person to be applied to a future trip, and the option of booking another trip altogether. refund if a trip is canceled. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. 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? Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. The company has been in business since the 1980s, and has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the world. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. They also operate overseas travel adventures. Unsubscribe easily. Here are some of the risks. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. I purchased my own flights. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. You raise an important point. Its gonna cost you. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. Advertising - When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? But we need to cancel. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Inside Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. 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. They do plenty of one on ones. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. undisclosed amount. Required fields are marked *. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. 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. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . 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. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. He provided us with so much information. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. This could ultimately lead to a decline in customer loyalty and revenue for Grand Circle Travel. 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. 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 -. 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. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. Dont let this be you. Were always here to help. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. 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. CONNECT WITH US. About Grand Circle Corporation The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. 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. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Come on! We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. That can get a little noisy. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. 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. 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. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. Do they distribute it among the staff? Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. 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. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. 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. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Often, they succeed. Grand Circle CEO Alan No, no, no. Your email address will not be published. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. 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. This company must not have enough staffing. Support. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . This is my first experience with them. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. fleet of more than 50 ships. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. again.. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, the Americas or around https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Grand-Circle-to-be-sold-to-private-equity-firm. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. 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. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Capital portfolio company. 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. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. 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. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Here are some of the risks. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Where is it? Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. 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. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. 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. Why? Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced Always check before booking.). You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. The "older sibling" of Grand Circle Cruise Line, Grand Circle Travel specializes in land tours for Americans of baby boomer age and above (fifty-plus, but leaning toward the plus). Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? (How generous of you!) Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Nevertheless, Grand Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. as its customer service. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. 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. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. It is impossible to reach this company. 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. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. And then it took them over 3 months to give us back our money which they did only after numerous phone call attempts and letters to management. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Furthermore, Grand Circle Travel has also experienced a decrease in revenue due to the cancellation of numerous trips and the refund of deposits to customers. 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. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. 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. What if you miss your deadline? The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . 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. Don't do business with these people. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Lunch was provided in the cost. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services.