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Care for a soda? This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? 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. You may feel like a number. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. 1. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? that business to include all Americans over the age of 50. It doesnt have to. Its extra. The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. Cookie Policy - It is impossible to reach this company. (How generous of you!) Watch for food-borne illnesses. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. General Air Questions. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. Coronavirus: Massachusetts unemployment claims spike amid travel Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. Grand Circle's annual revenues are $10-$50 million (see exact revenue data) and has 100-500 employees. GRAND CIRCLE Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile - IncFact.com You can request a roommate if you travel solo to save on the s We had a great tour guide in Ivan, was very knowledgable, friendly and very considerate of peoples concerns. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. All Rights Reserved. But whats this $452 bill? 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. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. 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. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Lunch was provided in the cost. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Archive - But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! 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. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Book directly with the operator. There are many other health perils at sea. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. (Thats just asking for trouble.) Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. 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). 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. Grand Circle LLC Company Profile | Boston, MA - Dun & Bradstreet We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. They also operate overseas travel adventures. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. 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. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. 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. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? would not recommend extremely long for no reason, multiple interviews just for entry level, low paying roles you will work weekends rude staff They do not respect your time. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. Be the first one to find this review helpful. 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). When will cruising feel safe again to you? 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. Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly. Another solution to Grand Circle Travels financial woes is to increase efficiency. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? But not for cruises. Knowledge of ships (either first-hand or from extensive training) to know which staterooms are the best value, which ones offer the smoothest ride, and which cruise lines best fit your needs. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. 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. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! 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. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. 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. View travel requirements for countries around the world. operator. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Unsubscribe at any time. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. You raise an important point. 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. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing peoples lives through international travel. Youre in control. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Oceania further cements itself as a cruise line for foodies, bestowing the honor of Vista godmother on the celebrity chef and Norway entices visitors with new places to stay and things to do, Travel agency consortium Ensemble makes several hires, Delta and KLM sue Dutch government over Schiphol flight cuts, Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam airline alliance, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will reduce marketing spend, Destination America names Kirsten Bain CEO after Launder's retirement, Examining sub-IC issues from a host agency's point of view, Nayarit has a lot to offer luxury travelers, Nevada's congressional delegation reacts to Biden's 'Junk Fee' proposal, Giada De Laurentiis and Oceania Cruises, a delicious combination, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Trends in Travel Advisor Loyalty in the Airline Industry, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay opens on Kauai's North Shore, Viking says January was a record-breaking month, River cruise lines sail into Egypt with new ships and itineraries, Bad behavior prompts Carnival Cruise Line to beef up onboard security, Where weed is legal, hotels roll out new marijuana amenities, The party is pumping at Virgin Voyages' beach club. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. 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. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! 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. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Youre on vacation. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. 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. Often, they succeed. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. 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. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. 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. Unsubscribe easily. Always arrive the day before your cruise. 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. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Thats because you are a number. Come on! Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. I purchased my own flights. 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. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. So should you take a cruise this year? 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. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. By Christopher Elliott Globe correspondent, Updated November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Grand. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. In 1993, What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Inside canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. How Much Does Grand Circle Travel Pay in 2023? (403 Salaries) Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Were always here to help. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. The right to have available, on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters, full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shoreside medical care becomes available. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Your email address will not be published. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. No answer to emails or snail mail. 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 You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Want a welcome drink? You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. 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. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. ), Back to O. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. 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. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. GRAND CIRCLE - 60 Reviews - 347 Congress St, Boston, MA - Yelp Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. 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. He provided us with so much information. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Our help is free. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. How do you buy a cruise, then? And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. 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. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency.