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I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 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. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! They canceled my flight. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. FAQ. An Analysis, How Far Does Weed Smell Travel? 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. 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. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Privacy Statement - Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica. If you think youll have less, get it renewed 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. Grand Circle Travel is a well-known international travel company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. The rating was due in part to a series of customer complaints about Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. Its their terms. Grand Circle Travel always has great specials and last minute specials if you can go on short notice. Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. 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. Despite the customer 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. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Advertising - We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. 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. Its an online travel agency. We value your privacy. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. But not for cruises. But we need to cancel. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time. Travel Protection. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. They also dont work. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. And cruise lines dont like to do that. contact reporter Michelle Baran, send e-mail to mbaran@travelweekly.com. Special access to agent-only discounts. Check out our directory. This is based on 391 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. View travel requirements for countries around the world. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. CONNECT WITH US. 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 Grand Circle's three travel brands are Grand Circle Travel. (How generous of you!) Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. again.. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 Theyre not. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Youre one of a million, literally. Even though this place offers a month-long training class, I think it would be best if newer agents get taught more basics before they are put on the floor to deal with customers. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. Gangwal left Worldspan when it was 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Nevertheless, Grand First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. Answer: Yes. But stay off the phone. Its gonna cost you. (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). It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. Exploring the Basics, Benefits, and Policies, How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Do they distribute it among the staff? But why cant I get a refund? 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. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Type: Company - Private. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Bad service. 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. Business Bureau had given the company an "unsatisfactory" rating. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. This is my first experience with them. 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. Just to name a few, we have danced the Turkey with school children in Costa Rica, climbed the Mayan Temples of Tikal, laid roses with Veteran travelers at the grave of the WWII Cemetery in Normandy and walked the ancient stone boulevards of Ephesus. 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. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who acquired Boston-based Grand 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. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Americas +1 212 318 2000. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. 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. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. We are only a month out. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. 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. A link has directed you to this review. Grand Circle Travel (GCT) seems to play a few nasty games, and cheating its customers!!! Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. They do plenty of one on ones. Its been eight months. $7000 in their pocket. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Is it just your server? 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. 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. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. I am still pursuing my refund. travelers in 1985 to approximately $760 million in sales and Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? undisclosed amount. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. Support. No longer. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Here are some of the risks. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Don't do business with these people. What's going on? This company must not have enough staffing. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square But which one is right for you? acquired by Travelport earlier this year. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. Your email address will not be published. Thats not entirely true. The cabin is for sleeping. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own! . Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 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. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. 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. As a thank you for being such outstanding employees, they were sent on a week long Recognition Journey Trip to Peru! Do you have knowledge or insights to share? The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? 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). Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. Grand Circle CEO Alan ), Back to O. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Its extra. I could not have asked for a better experience! 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. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. Come on! The company has been providing travelers with high-quality tours around the world since 1998. That can get a little noisy. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Youre on vacation. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Claim your Free Employer Profile. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Preparing for Your Trip. By streamlining processes, such as booking and customer service, Grand Circle Travel can reduce costs and increase profitability. Even though GC advertises travel for mature adults- this is overwhelming in a foreign country. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. That's not entirely true. refund if a trip is canceled. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. 166,000 travelers in 2007. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Were always here to help. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. Grand Circle Travel How Can I Get $$ back?? This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor. 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. What should I do? 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." We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. It is classified as operating in the Transportation & Warehousing industry. Alternatively, you could have filed a case in small claims court, although you would have had to limit your . Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Did we mention it's free? . 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.. I purchased my own flights. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Save this trip to your favorites or other list. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Get travel insurance. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? About Grand Circle Corporation Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise committed to changing people's lives through international travel. Now it wont refund my $3,606. chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. Youre in control. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? 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! Roz. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. No, no, no. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. 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. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . 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. Capital portfolio company. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Theres only one way to ensure you dont get caught by these fees. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. Tasteless food. He paid Vantage $18,536. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. I have flights with Grand Circle. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Lunch was provided in the cost. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. <br>Expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring, training and development, financial management in a constantly changing environment, public speaking and total guest . Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Help! There have been some reports that the company is in financial trouble, and may be shutting down soon . Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. It is impossible to reach this company. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Today, Grand Circle This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ Anyone can read what you share. Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. No answer. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better 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. 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. The Lewises expanded Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. 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? They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. 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.

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