is grand circle travel in financial trouble is grand circle travel in financial trouble

Theyre not. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. Anyone can read what you share. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? No, no, no. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Grand Circle Travel and prepare for tough questions. Dont let this be you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. They have a bad reputation and that reputation is very on point, To get a job at Grand Circle Travel, browse, Overall, 55% of employees would recommend, Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Work Here? The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel? I am still pursuing my refund. If relaxing on the cruise with a book in hand for hours on end, gliding by quiet European shores is your idea of a grand old time then Grand Circle is for you! When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. They do plenty of one on ones. Were looking for dynamic, high-performing, accommodating individuals interested in joining our upcoming training classes for Sales and Customer Service. Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprisecomprised of a family of travel companiescommitted to changing people's lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. ), Back to O. OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. 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. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can look into ways to reduce overhead expenses, such as cutting down on staff or renegotiating contracts with vendors. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. He provided us with so much information. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. 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. Virtually zero. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Established in 1958. No. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. 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. refund if a trip is canceled. Its location on this page may change next time you visit. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. Without adequate funding, the company may be unable to invest in new technologies or hire the best talent to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. G rand Circle Corp. is being sold to New York private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future 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. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? 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. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. They also dont work. Privacy Statement - Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). Asia Pacific +65 6212 1000. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. The Lewises expanded Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about below . I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. You raise an important point. In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. UNACCEPTABLE!! Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. One of the cons can be coworkers taking advantage of the casual vibe of the office. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. 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 view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. 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. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Avoid like the plague! I purchased my own flights. Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. One way that Grand Circle Travel can overcome its financial difficulties is by diversifying its offerings. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Were mediating these problems on a case-by-case basis. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. It is impossible to reach this company. 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. What if you miss your deadline? A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Don't do business with these people. You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. 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. Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis and his wife, Harriet Lewis, who. Nevertheless, Grand First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. Sometimes it can feel like college at times. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. General Air Questions. Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. There are many other health perils at sea. 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. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. 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. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. It is important to consider the potential implications of Grand Circle Travels financial struggles. operator. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. service hurdle, when the company announced the sale last week, it But stay off the phone. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. And most passengers accepted the credit. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value. But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. Now it wont refund my $3,606. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. 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. 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. Claim your Free Employer Profile. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. Lewises, the company has grown from $27 million in sales and 5,000 I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. In addition to decreased demand, Grand Circle Travel has also had to face other financial challenges. 2 hour wait for phone contact. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Trips are mostly all-inclusive, focusing on comfortable accommodations, informative and easy paced guided walking tours, cultural encounters, learning experiences, and special events that they call their Discovery Series. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. 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. Archive - Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. The office environment is really casual. Thats not entirely true. It has. 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. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). But why cant I get a refund? Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Bad service. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. But we need to cancel. 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. 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. Grand Circle Foundation Call our Regional Adventure Counselors 1-800-955-1925.