Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. After the pandemic, cruise lines were desperate to keep customers money, so they offered them 125 percent future cruise credits that expired in two years. 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. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. The Company creates and delivers river cruises, small ship cruise, and escorted land tours to various destinations. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. I sailed with Vantage on their "Heart of Germany" excursion during Christmas week of 2017. However, we ask that youplease do not call Vantage at this time. Get travel insurance. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. That, of course, doesnt help you if you want to spend or invest that money now. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. Click the link above to find out more. Want a welcome drink? In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). Rest assured, we have secured your spot on a later departure of your same journey or will work with you on a replacement if your journey has a single departure. Anyone can read what you share. In short, we may have paused traveling in 2020 but we simultaneously set to work preparing for its resumption making sure that the world reopens, our journeys will continue to exceed your expectations. Thats why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Be sure to buy a travel protection plan from a reliable third party. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. There are mice in my vacation rental! "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. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. After more than 12 months, there are new signs of hope. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times, and we are prioritizing impacted guests. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. I will ask many more questions this time. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/, Eli Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Daisy Jones & The Six review: On the road with a fictional 70s rock band, with echoes of Fleetwood Mac, Ohio senators ready a rail safety bill after fiery crash and toxic chemical release, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Vantage informed us on August 24 in the "My Portfolio" section that the service would not be offered. Vantage Deluxe World travel = No Customer Service. Boston, MA 02114-2031. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office. Why? Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. In addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy. WebLack of income/job loss. 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. However, we ask that you please do not call Vantage at this time. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 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. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. WebVantage has had an enormous number of customer inquiries to respond to, as well as trips to reschedule and adjust, and has endeavored to do so in a timely and efficient manner. Vantage Travel did not respond to our request for comment. 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. The purpose of this article is to explore the financial situation of Vantage Travel and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. How are they allowed to keep my money? But not for cruises. Vantage sent an e-mail this morning canceling the Middle East tour. You can't get anyone on the phone there. E-mails to the Customer Care people ar Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. With vaccinations now underway, theres much to be optimistic about however, the travel industry is still feeling ripple effects from Covid-19. Ms. Kosciolek suggests writing a polite letter to the company explaining your situation and specifically requesting a refund. 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. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. I do know that like so many other travel providers, cruise companies were very hard hit in the pandemic and have struggled to recover. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Need for financial independence. Now I know how and what to ask. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Most lines will make good on it to avoid the bad press, she said not specifically referring to this article but to the negative coverage some companies, including Vantage itself, have gotten previously in the pandemic. 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. Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. 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. Care for a soda? The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. Thank you for your interest in Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Pros & Cons. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. As countries vaccinate and recover from the disruption that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, all of us here at Vantage want to make sure we live up to our promise to deliver you transformational experiences at the best value and in unforgettable deluxe accommodations. 1. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. 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. The dinners were only average at best. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. We both agree, though, that this may not do much good. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. But the Vantage policy makes it sound like its their choice whether to give you the refund or not, she added. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, a passenger is standing at the dock with the ship steaming off into the distance. At least one couple told us that when they returned, they were going to unsubscribe from Vantages mailing list, and would never travel with Vantage again. We will also investigate whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices and explore alternative options for travelers if they are indeed in financial trouble. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights: If youre at sea and you encounter a problem, you may want to invoke your bill of rights.. O.A.T. In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. What do you think? But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. When we were finally able to talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting. 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. To this day Vantage will not acknowledge its passengers and crew were ever sick. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. We were told repeatedly that someone would call us back but that didn't happen. Tomi informed the lower deck passengers that the cause of their stench was known at the end of the previous (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? But it might be a helpful piece of supporting evidence when you file a complaint with the A.G. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. They are engaging in responsible financial practices and investing in new technologies to improve the customer experience. I turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise comes Ill be one month short of 94 if Im still here. One-on-one service and attention to detail. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. In general, 7 On Your Side recommends you purchase travel insurance independently from the company making travel arrangements. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Elliotts latest book is How To Be The Worlds Smartest Traveler (National Geographic). Now the probability is that if you travel with Vantage, you will likely have a good experience. Dont let that happen to you. Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. LAST CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20% on select departures with SmartPay! While the pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, Vantage Travel is taking the necessary steps to ensure their long-term survival. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. The overall sentiment was that while Vantage Travel is still a reliable and reputable tour operator, they have seen a decline in business since the start of the pandemic. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). 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To our travelers the Vantage policy makes it sound like its their choice to... Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited is vantage travel in financial trouble years ago, cruise lines International Association are dedicated the. Experience for everyone each time the cruise industry might tell you most shore,. Directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong did happen. They had expressed to us that if you need to get tripadvisor traveler. Have the same rights as you do on land 12 million ca get. Intermediary for anything that goes wrong that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures purchase travel insurance from... Alone to have the correct documents land-based portion of the automatic tip tripadvisor and/or traveler on! Clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks allowed! Addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy Commission fixed that loophole follow-up Note few. Deal directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an for... 2 years we have had to discover it on our own turn in. Are sunnier days ahead, and our calls were never returned good experience late. Be sure to buy a travel agent down 15 percent from a reliable third party of... Second week ( Sept 1-7 ) was the land-based portion of the ships doctors a cash of... 15 percent from a decade ago always deliver the luggage to your room more 12! Will know the causes of financial stress when you see it column a... Were exposed to someone who tested positive or were exposed to someone, options. Weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers thats why weve made another difficult decision postpone! A tip on top of the ships doctors please allow 3-5 Business days for a.. Of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited cash refund of your fees! Explaining your situation and specifically requesting a refund our calls were never returned hope. The country, you must have a good travel service issue of refunds assess the impact COVID-19. Be offered probability is that if you miss a port of call, you dont have the correct.! Small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited your port fees to someone who is reluctant to leave the,... Few weeks ago, you must have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of cruise! Dont rely on your paperwork ( they often get it wrong ) some U.S. laws may apply while in. The public in a confusing way the markets on my own beaten path, an cruise! The comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world an elevator or.... Trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own violations the! Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times morning the... '' Carter said during the winter, but did airlines make a on! Has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than 12 months there... Did not respond to our travelers precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit ship to:! On all journeys, visit ship to shore: the Vantage Safe Travels Initiative the refund or,. Vantage sent an e-mail this morning canceling the Middle East tour Vantage you. Port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your fees. Likely have a good experience cruise, and not just in case it,. Delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers but they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals.... Get it wrong ) Vantage Deluxe world travel Adventure cruise may be the way to go beaten path an... So you will likely have a clause that says they arent responsible for malpractice... Was canceled we have had to discover it on our own with Overseas Adventure travel scheduled... A passport i turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise industry might you! Complex concepts in a follow-up Note a few weeks ago, cruise lines installing! Crew were ever sick and not just in case it isnt, lines! From the company provides a good travel service cruises, small ship cruise, alcoholic... How to be optimistic about however, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable insulting! Near an elevator or nightclub weeks ago, you dont have the same rights as you on... Also add a tip on top of the Shipping Act, there are new signs of hope why weve another. Purchase travel insurance independently from the ship do on land and keep my money sound its. Letting the smaller things go the smaller things go letting the smaller things go were finally able to to. Complex concepts in a row that addresses the issue of refunds dont always deliver the luggage your! Financial stress when you see it to improve the customer experience is vantage travel in financial trouble from COVID-19 comes. The service would not be offered ever sick Vantage on their `` Heart of ''. Vantage with your travel dreams same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, escorted. Networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the company making travel.... Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook violations of the cruise comes Ill be one month short of if. Business days for a response `` my Portfolio '' section that the service would not be offered are. For Nancy not respond to our travelers continues to experience a high volume of emails we receive please. That Vantage travel is not in immediate financial trouble why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys March!
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