Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Why? Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. Now that we have explored the causes behind Grand Circle Travels financial struggles, it is important to look at potential solutions. 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. Inside Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. When you try to contact someone by phone. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. (Thats just asking for trouble.) If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. ), Back to O. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. 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. In theory, a host agency is not liable to clients of a sub-IC for their acts or omissions. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. I purchased my own flights. Be the first one to find this review helpful. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Good luck. Thats because you are a number. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she reached an agreement with a tour company, securing further refunds for canceled trips. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. 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. But there are lots of cruise options. How are they allowed to keep my money? In 2018, The Excellence in Service Award was presented to 7 different GCC associates. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. Grand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York I could not have asked for a better experience! (Take a look at your travel insurance policy, BTW, and see if it covers financial default by the tour operator, in which case you're covered if Grand Circle goes down the drain). The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Here are some of the risks. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Read More rugged variety. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. And cruise lines dont like to do that. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. But not for cruises. But we need to cancel. complain to the Federal Maritime Commission, HERE'S WHAT ID IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXT CRUISE, HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE, How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, Help! Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously. What's going on? In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! Unsubscribe easily. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . Our help is free. Alan Lewis will remain on the board but will be replaced 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. But it refuses to refund his money. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. 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 Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. was no longer offering refunds. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. (How generous of you!) Employees rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 429 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor. 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. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Unsubscribe easily. Avoid like the plague! You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Americas +1 212 318 2000. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. All rights reserved. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Answer: Yes. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand Gangwal left Worldspan when it was It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. 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. FAQ. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Is cruising really safe now? Contact Us - Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. 1958. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Is it just your server? Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. 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. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. fleet of more than 50 ships. How can I reach them?? When will cruising feel safe again to you? Anyone can read what you share. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . You raise an important point. Dont let this be you. The most common ethnicity at Grand Circle Travel is White (70%). Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. Where is it? Theyre not. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. UNACCEPTABLE!! said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an O.A.T. 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. 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. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Payments. Its an online travel agency. The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. 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. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. Its been eight months. No longer. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Today, Grand Circle Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Privacy Statement - If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. Grand Circles motto is We Change Peoples Lives; it has certainly changed ours. In 1993, Help! She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a 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 Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. Preparing for Your Trip. He tried to justify the change as one of a country change but I read him the GCT policy which I received in writing as part of my final trip documents. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Grand Circle Travel is a company that offers guided tours and river cruises to destinations all over the world. 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. 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. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. However, if Grand Circle Travel fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could lead to layoffs, reduced wages, office closures, and a decrease in the quality of its services. Circle in 1985, will retain a 30% stake in the direct-market tour Check out our directory. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. 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. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. 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. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. 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." 1. My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare.