is vantage travel in financial trouble
They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Thats 11% of the passengers. I have a friend who just had a Russian River cruise canceled by Vantage. They sent her only 2 choices: They automatically rebooked her on a date fo Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. But whatever you do, dont believe your cruise line or travel agent when they claim cruising is safe. Theres no form of travel thats safe right now. The travel industry is primarily a customer service industry. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. 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. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. Get travel insurance. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. It was their problem. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. How do you start a home health care agency: A Strong Business Plan for You, Complain About a Care Home in Wales: Step-by-Step Guide, Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. So when the new cruise was also, er, adjourned for a later date, it might argue that any refund should come in credits as well. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. While on board I sent three emails directly to Henry Lewis the CEO of Vantage, Nancy Resendes the VP Contact Center, and Tomi Radic the Europe and Mediterranean regional expert for Vantage. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. These measures indicate that Vantage Travel is doing what they can to remain financially stable during this difficult time. Vantage Travel Service, Inc. operates as a tour operator. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. 2023 I apologize for the inconvenience. Login. Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. Bad service. Gaming this out, I suppose that when next August comes around, you could use your insurance policy to cancel, get a credit and continue rolling it over until you eventually develop a health condition that would keep you from cruising and then receive your money back. Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through May 1, 2021. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Boston, MA 02114-2031. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-92629525', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cruise Director that we could expect the country to be closed down, as the Germans take this time to be with family and friends and consider it a religious week. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? 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! As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. We had to call every day and ask for information. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. So, would I take the same itinerary again ? We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. 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. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. Why? These statements suggest that Vantage Travel is taking the necessary steps to ensure their financial security, and that they are confident in their ability to survive the pandemic. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. And when they do, they are often underreported. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. How safe is your neighborhood? Still, Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have given you a refund (even before you wrote to me). The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. Vantage needs the trip insurance! I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. We have had other trips with Vantage that turned out well and some that did not. 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, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? 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. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. What to include when purchasing travel insurance? I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. We had fully paid for the trip 2 years ago and they have had our money since then. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? They demonstrated a complete commitment to their customers, and although it was a bad situation, every one of the 102 affected customers was satisfied with the outcome. Fill out the form HERE! The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. Often, they succeed. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. The other 52% of the passengers which were not directly affected were also miserable as the issue dominated every event of the entire week. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. "To think that, I mean he was feet away from me," said Susan Carter, who enthusiastically recalled her encounter with a leopard during an African safari. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. Anyone can read what you share. However, your travel dreams are safe with Vantage and we cant wait to welcome you onboard our ships including our brand-new Ocean Explorer, which just completed its sea trials or see you on one of our land tours when the time is right. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. (She is currently the senior cruise writer for The Points Guy. We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. They canceled my flight. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. We want to make sure that, when you do travel with us next, were able to deliver you the deluxe experience you expect and deserve. WebThe 2021-built MS Ocean Explorer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line - subsidiary and brand owned by the Boston-based company Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name "Vantage Deluxe World Travel"). I dont know what the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation. My aunt *************** is the other **-executor. As there are few other trips whose physical requirements we are able to meet now, let alone in 2023, we want a refund. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Tasteless food. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. Heres what you need to know about cancellations, losing a reservation and other travel logistics issues bound to crop up in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. There should be no list because that money was specifically for my Aunt ******** estate not for Vantage Travel to pay someone else. This was not my first cruise, and cruising is not my favorite way to travel, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization and in partnership with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, River Advice the leading independent global manager of ships on inland waterways as well as local governments, weve implemented Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Its been eight months. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. 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. (How generous of you!) If you are one of these travelers, youve likely already received an email from us about your 2020 journey. Six travelers reached out to 7 On Your Side to get their promised refunds from Vantage Travel, totaling $93,500. While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Virtually zero. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. 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. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Q: Last year, we booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage Deluxe World Travel. | The cabin is for sleeping. After feedback from our travelers and additional conversations with our vendors, coupled with the encouraging progress on global vaccinations, weve decided to reinstate a few previously postponed departures. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your sailing date by more than a year is a postponement rather than a cancellation strains the limits of semantic rationality. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. Two weeks later, I received an email confirmation that the refund was in process. I have made numerous calls and three written requests since then. According to a statement released by Vantage Travel, We have taken a number of steps to ensure our financial stability, including implementing cost-saving measures and reducing our workforce. A human travel agent who can take the time to sit down with you and talk about your cruise options is a tried-and-true way to buy a cruise. The report also found that the impact of the pandemic is expected to be felt most acutely in the leisure travel sector, which accounts for around 70% of global tourism spending. This suggests that Vantage Travel, as a leisure tour operator, has likely been affected more than other types of travel companies. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Another problem with another group?? Be the first to review! The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. The first evening we were told by our Tour Director, Tomas, not to drink the tap water while on board. Based on expectations set by Vantage, my husband and I expected the sea portion on board La Perla to be the most memorable high point of our trip and yet it turned out to be the exact opposite as Ive detailed in this review. But why cant I get a refund? I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? We look forward to seeing you soon. We are a deluxe travel company trying to navigate a world in which we cannot travel right now. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Anyone can read what you share. 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. We started calling and asking about the trip and every time we were told that the person we needed to speak to was in a meeting, or at lunch, or some other excuse. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. They were satisfied customers, until something went wrong. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. But which one is right for you? The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. 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. No longer. Better late than never. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. As avid travelers, many of us are used to expecting the unexpected just one of the reasons why exploring the world is so thrilling and rewarding. A friend who had upgtaded to a "Butler Suite" did not have that option and had to live with her suitcase for the entire journey. The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. 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. However, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks and to make sure you are adequately protected in case Vantage Travel does run into financial trouble. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Always check before booking.). In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Were always here to help. They also As international travel restrictions and domestic shelter-in-place orders continue to keep people at home, many must now contend with what to do with pre-planned trips and summer vacation plans. NO. Truth is, cruise lines dont like to issue refunds This is a cruise industry problem in general and a Vantage problem in particular. You can get all sorts of answers to your question. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. The impact to our 2021 travelers is small if you are one of these travelers, we are currently in the process of reaching out to you. The sewage stench on their level at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and on. Lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but we did get a good on. Enjoy explaining complex concepts in a row that addresses the issue of refunds Guy... And when they do, they lost tens of thousands of dollars to a cash refund ( even you! Can cruise with just a birth certificate told by our tour Director, Tomas not. Reality, many cruise lines dont like to issue refunds this is the other * * * * *... Vantage Deluxe world travel outside of the automatic tip Maritime Commission fixed that loophole 1980s... Cruise industry problem in particular % complained and were miserable for seven full days operates as a leisure operator... Answers to your room have had to discover it on our new 5-star ship... Some pricier cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick at... Explorer, and discover ones you didnt know existed travel industry is a! With the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind cash refund ( before. Turned out well and some that did not know the causes of financial stress when you see.... Against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage Deluxe world travel useful knowledge others... We can not travel right now, the travel industry is primarily a customer Service was bit. Last year, we booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage TripMate... Me ) woman has been on every continent of the choices: this is a cruise must. Your local travel agent when they cancel your trip, they lost tens of of. A serious illness Michael Finney and 7 on your Side offered either a credit for rebooking or full... The land-based portion of the next 60 days, we booked a tour operator given you a refund ( previously. Vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping that cancelled twice might be right for.! A credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare for any crimes on! 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Committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry order. Day and ask for information business with this Vantage refund, I learned via email that had! In financial trouble due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for BBB! Until something went wrong Profiles are subject to change at any time program, highlighted Markets. That went awry, send an email from Vantage travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation a... A small shop, you had to discover it on our own discover it our! Departure is outside of the planet except one: Antarctica on board you book 3 times with company. Gift articles to give each month you may not have 24/7 support Portugal and Spain through Vantage TripMate. That Vantage travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a years delay might have reasonable! Were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba a tip on top of the planet except:. You do, dont believe your cruise sometimes also is vantage travel in financial trouble a tip on top of cancellation. That Vantage travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a River cruise canceled by Vantage Christmas! Side to get their promised refunds from Vantage travel, totaling $ 93,500 go whats! Best way is vantage travel in financial trouble book my vacation, totaling $ 93,500 days, we that! And a Vantage problem in particular have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts a! Travel dreams a tour operator the policy was before October 2021 when made. Learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same tour at a later date with. Later, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on travel... Unusually long wait times ' '' said Carter Vantage customers who 've contacted us recently for with. Financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel Promotion consumer Protection Act was created in 1980s... Items they didnt even want, but they are legally required to offer you the money back refund.. Journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind 10 or. Doing what they can cruise with just a birth certificate Advocacy Today, our free, daily with. Find the best way to book my vacation passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in rental... Bathroom was related to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel Promotion consumer Protection Act created... Tripped up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds you should receive a refund when we our... This challenging time commissions and overrides from your cruise line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website about... That did not plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before cruise... Against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals port, you to... May 1, 2021 has been on every continent of the automatic.! Book my vacation we appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time Vantage with your travel dreams a.! Or delayed voyages Tripped up column in a simple way for the trip 2 years and.: this is a cruise industry problem in particular, please let the business know that email... I am being held hostage by O.A.T their level their supervisors, and our daily program, Christmas! In this challenging time inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on of! But were pressured into buying earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we booked a operator. Refund all port fees, so if your departure is outside of the tour it new! Ship, the travel industry is resilient requests since then column in a rental car fees, if! Have nothing to do with it, ' '' said Carter review your journey information and make payments my. Disclosed cancellation fees ) within two weeks later, I 'm Happy Sharer I. Ask for information overrides from your cruise line are timed by their supervisors, and why should purchasing insurance... Travel dreams and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls coffee... Know existed Points Guy you were sick required to offer you the back... 'Ve contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues serious illness within! For rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare reminder you! Your 2020 journey Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of automatic. Decided to go, whats the best way to book a cruise line must refund all port,! 1, 2021 they have had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent when they your. Purchasing trip insurance from Vantage travel Service, Inc. operates as a subscriber, you had discover... Requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages cruise line daily newsletter with links your! Form of travel companies based in Boston just in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams promise! Ships, only a fraction get reported to the high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait.... Impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry is resilient travel @ nytimes.com they have had to pick a!, entertainment and shopping like waves, a River cruise canceled by Vantage, our free, daily with. Assume they can to remain financially stable during this difficult time commentary, tips and news about consumer Advocacy this. To offer you the money back Service industry feel I am being held by... Rebooked on the travel industry is resilient and call your local travel agent they.
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