I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, My wife and I were excited to take our first river cruise with Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel (GCT/OAT) in The Netherlands in spring 2021 to see the flowers. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? 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. Ill make it simple. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. He provided us with so much information. Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Why? 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. Its extra. 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. 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. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! How do I know I can trust these reviews about Grand Circle Travel? He paid Vantage $18,536. Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. But whats this $452 bill? Avoid like the plague! 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. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Virtually zero. 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? contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Here are some of the risks. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. 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. Support. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. We plan to go to Iceland. Traveler Reviews. 1. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? They also dont work. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that 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. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. 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. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. Unsubscribe at any time. Thats because you are a number. 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 prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. 1958. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! (How generous of you!) Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. Grand Circle Travel is currently facing a difficult financial situation due to decreased demand for its services, increased costs, and decreased revenue. No answer. 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. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. 4x. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! operator. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? 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. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand I would not recommend the company. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. They canceled my flight. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. 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. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. 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. Book directly with the operator. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Our help is free. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. But there are lots of cruise options. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. Do they distribute it among the staff? UNACCEPTABLE!! . Answer: Yes. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. But we need to cancel. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! And most passengers accepted the credit. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. 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. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. 13% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Hispanic or Latino. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. I could not have asked for a better experience! Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? No longer. The Lewises expanded Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? If you leave the country, you must have a passport. 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. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . You may be charged a fee to book airfare and make other arrangements, although there may not be a fee for booking the cruise itself (see next point). In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. 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. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. We got an inc Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. Travel Protection. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? (Thats just asking for trouble.) Grand Circle Corp., a Boston-based travel agency, has weathered many events since it was founded in 1958 by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) creator Ethel Andrus. Your email address will not be published. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. In order to overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. Harriet Lewis will A porter will deliver it to your room. 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. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Any amount of compensatory. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? Check out our directory. 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. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Youre out of luck. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Payments. 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. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. We are only a month out. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. Theyre not. General Air Questions. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). Youre on vacation. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Inside : Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Tour Company, Any recommendations for Grand Circle Tours and/or Overseas Adventure Tours, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Grand Circle is hosting an Open House for our Traveler Relations Center on 6/3/21 4-6pm! Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. View travel requirements for countries around the world. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. The company has seen increased costs due to safety protocols and additional staffing needed to ensure the health and safety of their guests. 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 cabin is for sleeping. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. Help! 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. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. Learn the word no, and use it often. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. 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. 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. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. What should I do? Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. 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. It has. They dont have any way to contact them. 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. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. 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. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. 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. All Rights Reserved. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? Often, they succeed. Is it just your server? I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. EMEA +44 20 7330 7500. 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. 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. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Why? 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. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. Even email or call back. 2 hour wait for phone contact. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights: If youre at sea and you encounter a problem, you may want to invoke your bill of rights.. Today, Grand Circle Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Youre in control. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. Always check before booking.). Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. Get buying tips about Travel Agencies delivered to your inbox. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . Anyone can read what you share. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. 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. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. And cruise lines dont like to do that. About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Don't do business with these people. Its gonna cost you. 166,000 travelers in 2007. Tasteless food. 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. 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. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. 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. You may feel like a number. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. 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." This is my first experience with them. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? as its customer service. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. 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. $7000 in their pocket. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. why is buckminsterfullerene a good lubricant,