Revenue: $500 million to $1 billion (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Its not just one problem, but many. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Here are some of the risks. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. (How generous of you!) 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. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. 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. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. 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. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? In exchange we provide great benefits, generous PTO, discounts on travel, and a strong, supportive training environment to learn and grow. View travel requirements for countries around the world. (Annual sales and employees) What industry is the company in? They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. 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! Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. rate Grand Circle Travel 3.3 out of 5 stars, interview experience at Grand Circle Travel, Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Furthermore, the companys reputation could be negatively impacted if customers do not feel confident in their ability to provide quality services. 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. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. All rights reserved. private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners for an 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. Americas +1 212 318 2000. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. 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). See all activities, themes, and interests >, Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Salaries posted anonymously by Grand Circle Travel employees. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. Grand Circle Travel An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. He provided us with so much information. 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. Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! The state was in the spotlight recently when it hosted the annual Gala Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Grand Circle Travel, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. 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. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Thats not entirely true. General Air Questions. Claim your Free Employer Profile. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world. Unsubscribe easily. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. If you are injured with Grand Circle, be prepared to handle all medical necessities and communication yourself including pushing a wheel chair. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. But why cant I get a refund? USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. 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. 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. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. 1. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. as CEO by Rakesh Gangwal, former CEO of Worldspan, a Court Square Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. Our help is free. Grand Circle CEO Alan Circle Corp. ran into some challenges last year after the Better On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. We value your privacy. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours. Payments. What if you miss your deadline? . While Grand Circle Travel has seen tremendous success over the years, the company has recently found itself in a difficult financial situation. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. All answers shown come directly from Grand Circle Travel Reviews and are not edited or altered. When will cruising feel safe again to you? Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). chairman of Grand Circle Foundation. Overseas . Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. I would not recommend the company. Support. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. 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. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . How do you buy a cruise, then? Advertising - Do you have knowledge or insights to share? When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. 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. Grand Circle's 40-plus offices are located in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific . Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. Answer: Yes. Over the years they have. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel can focus on expanding its marketing efforts and building relationships with new partners to reach a larger customer base. 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. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. 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. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. Every member must be fully accountable for the teams and ones own personal results. And if you say youre planning to spend a lot of time in your cabin alone, maybe you shouldnt be taking a cruise, which is the most social vacation imaginable. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. Uh-uh. Our family of travel companieswhich you can read more about belowoffers a variety of innovative trips to more than 60 countries. But which one is right for you? Grand Circle Travel employees are most likely to be members of the democratic party. In order to understand the current financial situation of Grand Circle Travel, it is important to first examine the causes behind the companys financial struggles. 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. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. (Its all taken care of.) Type: Company - Private. . Infectious disease COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. Come on! Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Here is a photo of them enjoying the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. Grand Circle Travel 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 2.0/5 (128 ratings) Are you this business? Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. Your email address will not be published. We booked a river cruise, including airfare, and documented every detail. 62% of employees think that Grand Circle Travel has a positive business outlook. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. 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. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. Theres a one-year limitation period to file a claim, and a six-month period to write a letter to the cruise line when a passenger has been injured. 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. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. Help! All Rights Reserved. What is paid time off like at Grand Circle Travel? When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. 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. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. 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. Grand Circle Corporation provides 85+ international small group adventures by land and sea for Americans 50 and older. 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. they acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Overseas Adventure Travel and Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. All Rights Reserved. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. And when they do, they are often underreported. 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. As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. If the company fails to find a solution to its financial woes, it could mean layoffs and reduced wages for employees. Supervisors and managers want everyone to succeed. 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! What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out? In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying.
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