After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. GRAND CIRCLE - 60 Reviews - 347 Congress St, Boston, MA - Yelp Is it just your server? Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. 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. Want a welcome drink? An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 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. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. Grand Circle Travel Warning - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and Youll probably get the deepest discounts, and in some cases, a price protection that assures you that if the fare drops, youll get a refund. Anyone can read what you share. CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? 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. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. There are many other health perils at sea. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. 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. They do plenty of one on ones. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Grand Circle Travel. For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. Unsubscribe easily. Working at Grand Circle Travel | Glassdoor This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. About Grand Circle Corporation My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. 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. Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? Watch for food-borne illnesses. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Save this trip to your favorites or other list. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. undisclosed amount. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. He provided us with so much information. Grand Circle cancels two of Ernest Belzil's tours. 35% of job seekers rate their interview experience at Grand Circle Travel as positive. All rights reserved. No answer. Its their terms. But whats this $452 bill? Beware Grand Circle Travel/Overseas Adventure Travel - Fodor's With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. Grand Circle to be sold to private equity firm - Travel Weekly Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. GRAND CIRCLE Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile - IncFact.com Is Grand Circle Travel in Financial Trouble? An Analysis Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. was no longer offering refunds. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. A link has directed you to this review. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. That agency said that it has received about 275 consumer complaints so far about canceled O.A.T. Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join). All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. Ill make it simple. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. You may feel like a number. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. It is impossible to reach this company. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. Advertising - Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. 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. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Is cruising really safe now? Grand Circle's cancellation, refund and exchange policies as well Often, they succeed. 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. 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. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? General Air Questions. Overseas . Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . The Lewises expanded A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Care for a soda? 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. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Finally, Grand Circle Travels financial struggles could lead to an overall decrease in the quality of its services. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals. 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. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. 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. 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. This is the Grand Circle Travel company profile. Grand Circle Travel Reviews (Updated May 2023) - ConsumerAffairs The state's lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency rather than criticizing the resort fees. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. 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. Did we mention it's free? OAT's email offering a refund would have made your credit-card dispute an easy win. They also dont work. This is my first experience with them. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you. That can get a little noisy. Dont let this be you. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. 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. In 1993, I would not recommend the company. 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. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. Virtually zero. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. 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). A porter will deliver it to your room. Traveler Reviews. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. 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 Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Check out our directory. Here are some of the risks. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Inside The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. 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. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/proavel-0021-3848, Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!!! The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. Washington requires travel companies to issue cash refunds within 14 days (or 30 days when the funds are already paid to a vendor, as might be the case for a tour operator) when they cancel a service. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? 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. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was We value your privacy. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. FAQ. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. How Can I Get $$ back?? Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. But why cant I get a refund? Its been eight months. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. This profile has not been claimed by the company. Always check before booking.). Dont let that happen to you. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Whether its an optional shore excursion or an onboard auction, the cruise line wants more of your money than you spent on the cruise fare. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. said in a statement that "97% of Grand Circle travelers say that Overall, 55% of employees would recommend working at Grand Circle Travel to a friend. 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. This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! How many can you get right in 1 minute? The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). 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. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. But we need to cancel. This company must not have enough staffing. Why? Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Roz. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. Exploring the Extent of Its Reach, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? Seine River Cruise | Paris to Normandy | Grand Circle Cruise Line The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Youre on vacation. 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. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. The right to have included on each cruise lines website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. Any amount of compensatory. Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Contact Us - Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. You must be very efficient at email with On Call. 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. 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. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. According to the O.A.T. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. So should you take a cruise this year? again.. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. Required fields are marked *. 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. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Thats because you are a number. Get travel insurance. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. But not for cruises. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Aleksandar Norsic - Manager, Beverage Development & Operations - The Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. No. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. We are only a month out. Its Grand Circle Travel division offers all-inclusive package tours at a leisurely pace while its Overseas Adventure subsidiary organizes small groups for land, canal barge, and small ship journeys of the more. All Rights Reserved. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. Do they distribute it among the staff? 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? Learn the word no, and use it often. You should read it before you leave. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Bad service. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. . In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. 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. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves.