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. One-on-one service and attention to detail. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. No, no, no. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Working at Grand Circle Travel has to be one of the best jobs I've worked at. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. 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. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? 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. Circle changed its cancellation policy to give customers a full When flying on a commercial airline, booked through GCT, they negotiate a deal (to increase their. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. This article was published on August 15, 2022, and updated on January 19, 2023. 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. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. My wife and I would have been able to have a table to ourselves, not because we are anti-social, but because we would have been safer. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. 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. But, if the extraordinary number of reader complaints I have received more than a dozen and counting are any indication, they have been doing so anyway. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Don't sweat the logistics travel providers plan for you. 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. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Ultimately, it is up to Grand Circle Travel to take the necessary steps to ensure its financial stability. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Discriminated against in room assignments - I took the Grand Circle tour, The Best of Eastern Europe on May 9, 2012. Unsubscribe at any time. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high . Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? Dont expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however. Corp. has 44 offices and employs 3,000 people. O.A.T. Since 1958, Grand Circle has been the leader in international discovery for mature American travelers. #traveljobs #peru #excellenceaward. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. I would not recommend the company. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Uh-uh. Americas +1 212 318 2000. 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. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. 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. 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. Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. They do plenty of one on ones.
The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment. 7% of Grand Circle Travel employees are Asian. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. was created in 1958 to serve AARP members. After taking 12 tours with them, they treated us terribly. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. (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). In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. 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. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME INFO ABOUT THIS COMPANY TREATING HIGH QUALITY EMPLOYEES , AS I WITNESSED, Your email address will not be published. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. All Rights Reserved. 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! 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. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. 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. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. Established in 1958. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. Nevertheless, Grand 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 overcome these financial struggles, the company must find ways to diversify its offerings, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead expenses. Theyre not. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. 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. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. Cruise lines don't have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. All of these factors have led to a difficult financial situation for Grand Circle Travel. 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. Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel? Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, youre sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time. 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. Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Were always here to help. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. First trip with Grand Circle Tours, liked the tour. In addition, there is the worry that many travel companies may go out of business due to the loss of business from this pandemic. I purchased my own flights. Unsubscribe easily. | in 1997 they established Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a On our River Cruise Vacations and Land Vacations, you'll enjoy unmatched discoveries . : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. Manager in development of Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar operations with outstanding record and experience in top award winning companies, Apollo Group, Celebrity Cruises, Valamar Hotels & Resorts and Grand Circle Travel. Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. In response, Grand If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. Additionally, Grand Circle Travel may be forced to close some of its offices and cut back on its operations. Want a welcome drink? Special access to agent-only discounts. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Inside Did we mention it's free? OAT is non-accredited per the BBB, had a C- rating by them and per 23 customer reviews had 1 * out of 5. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. The average employee at Grand Circle Travel makes $62,003 per year. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. also step down from her role as co-chair at Grand Circle and as canceled the tour because of Covid-19, which was a relief. A free inside look at Grand Circle Travel salary trends based on 462 salaries wages for 222 jobs at Grand Circle Travel. Why? Youre in control. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. 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 Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? CONTENTS Overview Reviews Updated 03/02/2023 About Grand Circle Travel This profile has. With GCC, our associates have the unique opportunity to travel numerous countries and experience once in a life time events. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. 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?