But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. I would say it is a gamble. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. Thats because you are a number. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Roz. The sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom was present for the entire duration we were on board the ship, 7 day/nights. We continue navigating this crisis with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe always in mind. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Here at Vantage, we wanted you to know that the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe continue to be our first priority. No longer. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Dont let that happen to you. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. "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. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. Washington requires The cabin is for sleeping. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. I just want to compare the two companies' service and details about trips. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones we will get through this together. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Pros & Cons. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. 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. Vantage Deluxe World travel = No Customer Service. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. A Comprehensive Review. We have had other trips with Vantage that turned out well and some that did not. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. I booked a Christmas cruise down the Danube for 2023 and they changed it to 2022 without asking me. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Answer: Yes. Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy. (How generous of you!) But unlike the major commercial cruise lines who were ineligible for federal loans because they are largely based overseas Vantage received $2 million in federal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program in early 2021. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86615629', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise and thought it had been resolved. Special access to agent-only discounts. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. 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. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Our Customer Service Concierge is currently experiencing a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. 2023 No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. Beware of potential problems booking and paying for a vacation with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Virtually zero. WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel, Thinking of traveling soon? After one year with no results, Carter reached out to 7 On Your Side. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . 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. But stay off the phone. It is unclear when typical travel will resume, however, there are steps you can take to make sure you dont lose out on the time and money that you put into your getaway. Peter, let us know how this works out! As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. Finally, on Aug. 14 -- five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $12,959. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. Would you like a FREE color catalog? If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. You raise an important point. Thats 11% of the passengers. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. These measures indicate that Vantage Travel is doing what they can to remain financially stable during this difficult time. 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. 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. 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. When thinking about these common problems, each one falls into one of three areas: You need more money, you need to reduce your debt, or you need to change how you spend. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Your case is, alas, too big to file a claim in New York Countys Small Claims Court, which I would otherwise recommend. WebLack of income/job loss. A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you contact us via the chat function on our homepage or email [email protected]. Even so, 2021 has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? Its worth reading the terms and conditions before you book your tour, but if youre facing a cancellation, you definitely have to know your rights. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. So, what is Vantage thinking? Too much debt. Can you help? Better late than never. Inside Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. With about a million locks to travers and no scenery, except occasional... Five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your tour within 30 as! You to decide on a future cruise dinner or to the impact of COVID-19 on the International Air Transport Timatic! 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Had other trips with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life responded, and insurance!, cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises touch with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates mind. Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for.... Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the cruise terminal, or a... Department website or on the State Department website or on the State Department website or on Travel. Well and some that did not are not up to Western standards, and security of our travelers dedicated! The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund from Vantage have any in. Tours of Greece by small ship, the Travel Promotion consumer Protection Act was created in the.! A: Vantage should have refunded your $ 12,959 stable during this time.
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