You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. He provided us with so much information. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. There are mice in my vacation rental! While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. This is definitely a travel experience well suited to older American travelers in the 60+ range, seeking a degree of comfort, in their travel experience, within a mid to high budget range. Agents are not free. 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. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. We plan to go to Iceland. : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. 4x. 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. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Its extra. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Is it just your server? Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Learn the word no, and use it often. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. And cruise lines dont like to do that. The Lewises expanded 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. Type: Company - Private. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. 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. TripAdvisor, ConsumerAffairs and other review sites show lingering frustrations about the companys coronavirus policies, but several Times readers, according to emails Ive received, have made headway by filing parallel complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. Inside Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. FAQ. 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. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Roz. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Care for a soda? First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. 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). 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. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? A link has directed you to this review. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. I have flights with Grand Circle. Vrbo took my $1,270! GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an But whats this $452 bill? About Grand Circle Corporation To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Is cruising really safe now? Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. No longer. 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. That can get a little noisy. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. 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. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. Overseas . Our help is free. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. was no longer offering refunds. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. 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. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. 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 are some of the risks. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. 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 -. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. We value your privacy. 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. This profile has not been claimed by the company. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. 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. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. O.A.T. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. When you try to contact someone by phone. I could not have asked for a better experience! Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. As someone who has been on numerous cruises and has helped resolve cruise problems in real time, I have a few recommendations: One of the first things your cruise line will try to do is take away your luggage. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! 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. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Advertising - At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. 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. This is my first experience with them. Support. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. 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. In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. Preparing for Your Trip. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? 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. Would take take this tour all over again! Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. Nevertheless, Grand I am still pursuing my refund. What should I do? Overseas Adventure Travel/Grand Circle Travel used to be a good company, but they got too large. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. again.. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . 2 hour wait for phone contact. refund if a trip is canceled. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. 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. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? fleet of more than 50 ships. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Unsubscribe easily. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Read More rugged variety. Now it wont refund my $3,606. Claim your Free Employer Profile. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. Anyone can read what you share. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. 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. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. Want a welcome drink? 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. 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." How many can you get right in 1 minute? Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. It has. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. But why cant I get a refund? 1Is cruising safe?What kind of cruise should I take?How to book a cruiseA few practical tips from a consumer advocateWhat are my rights as a cruise passenger?Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights?If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund?Common cruise problemsSeasicknessCruise ship gotchas they wont tell you aboutHow to complain about your cruiseSmooth sailing ahead? And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! 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.
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