In addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Why? WebBased on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Vantage Travel. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Can you help? 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. ), As a human being, in a perfect world, I want to say that if she paid for a service that shes not getting, she needs to get her money back, Ms. Kosciolek told me. Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. And most passengers accepted the credit. The cabin is for sleeping. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Pay up! A cruise company keeps pushing back its planned journeys, offering credits instead of a refund, and a passenger feels like the ship has sailed on her ability to enjoy a boat trip. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. Its been eight months. Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel. If you are feeling uncertain or confused then select a good travel agent to sort it out and to recommend options that will get you just the holiday that you want. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. They also Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. As of 4/1/2022, BBB has exhausted all forms of contact to the business. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. 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. NOTHING. Answer: Yes. 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. Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. After a series of high-profile customer service incidents in 2012 and 2013, the cruise industry adopted a voluntary bill of rights for its passengers, to clearly communicate to them their rights regarding comfort and care in a number of important areas. 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. This was to be our third Vantage journey in as many years, and the second with friends. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. 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. Do they distribute it among the staff? Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. According to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global travel industry, with losses estimated at $1.3 trillion in 2020 alone. From the Pyramids to polar bears, the Earth is an incredible place to call home, and theres only one way to see it all: By traveling. 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. You can read more about our Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative here. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. But why cant I get a refund? This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. 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. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Did we mention it's free? However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Still, Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have given you a refund (even before you wrote to me). 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. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. Given the uncertain financial climate, it is important to assess whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices. We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. Come on! As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. 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. 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. If you became ill or had an accidental injury prior to your departure date, you may have to cancel your travel arrangements, Of course, you made the good point that your travel companion paid for the Spain/Portugal trip in cash and also has been refused a refund. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . 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. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Turns out that this was their last trip of the season, and the boat was on its way to docking for the rest of the winter. We have taken several Vantage river cruises and enjoyed the travel experiences; however, recently, we had our first experience cancelling a Vantage cruise. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. My travel companion and I booked a river cruise and tour to Portugal and Spain for this past July with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Note to everyone: Never take the For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc. 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. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? You can read more about ourShip to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere. We understand this decision impacts not only our guests and employees, but also the thousands of hardworking, dedicated people around the world who make our journeys possible. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Our ships engine failed. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. As weve stated before, we made this difficult decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Tasteless food. Im glad you mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the legal contract between you and the tour operator. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. 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. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. When we were finally able to talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting. How slow? Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. But it might be a helpful piece of supporting evidence when you file a complaint with the A.G. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. Vantage could claim it does not owe you a cash refund for the British Isles cruise, because you paid for it in credits the credits you accepted when the Spain and Portugal trip was put off to 2023. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. One would be about the length of the bus ride to get to a tour. First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. No, no, no. Peter, let us know how this works out! As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. So the refund process slowed down considerably. WebWe have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. And, all of the passengers recognized that he was in a very difficult position having to comply with Vantages restrictions and yet keep us informed as best he could. The very first day we arrived on board, August 25, we reported to our Tour Director, Tomas Bukovsek, a sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom of our upper deck cabin #7. Special access to agent-only discounts. Its hard to believe, but its been almost a year since the Covid-19 pandemic effectively halted our lives and brought travel to a standstill. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. Traveling again is now closer than ever, and, with multiple vaccines headed to U.S. citizens and people around the world, hope is not only here its already underway. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. There are even signs in the bathrooms saying Do not drink the water.. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Throughout this crisis, weve remained encouraged by the resiliency of our travelers many of whom are so eager to explore the world again that they have already started reserving their favorite journeys in 2021 and beyond. Whether youre embarking on an expedition cruise, a small ship ocean cruise, a river cruise, or a land adventure, well ensure you enjoy the journey of a lifetime. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. Youre in control. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Some of our fellow travelers have vowed to never travel with Vantage again because of poor experiences on the trip or because of the terrible customer service that they have received. But I was really happy when that happened," she exclaimed. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. What to include when purchasing travel insurance? Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). more. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers, and appreciate your patience as we work with guests based on the immediacy of their departures. Even so, 2021 has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th. They It's such an amazing service," Carter said. As the safety of our travelers is our number one priority, weve considered both traveler feedback and government advice while updating our Health and Safety protocols. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. ONE day out of 7. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. After 100 days, I am still awaiting the refund. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. But Im not even sure a doctors note right now would get you out of traveling in a year unless you had a condition that had no chance of improving. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. was no longer offering refunds. If only it were that easy. 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. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Anyone can read what you share. Anyone can read what you share. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. We are currently preparing for our exciting re-entry into travel, and our three journeys of which launch at the end of August: Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro; Croatia & Culinary Gems of the Adriatic Coast; and our inaugural Ocean Explorer cruise, The Beauty of the British Isles. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. The economy and markets are "under surveillance". Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? Bad service. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. 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. More importantly, our travelers are resilient. Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. Thank you for your ongoing understanding during this difficult time. If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. During that time, we took several actions: We created a comprehensive safety plan to ensure the health of our travelers and associates around the globe when we resume traveling again. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. that are a good company relatively higher end. Perhaps youve already even heard from us. Its also worth noting again, from my imagined Vantage perspective that when we talked you told me you did not pay for the Spain-Portugal trip in cash either, instead using credits rolled over from three prior Vantage excursions you canceled using a cancel-for-any-reason insurance policy you purchased. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). She never called back. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Why? But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. 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. Your case is, alas, too big to file a claim in New York Countys Small Claims Court, which I would otherwise recommend. To its credit, Vantage didnt. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Here are some of the risks. As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. An update from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. 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. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. As you know, the global COVID-19 pandemic has made travel very tricky. Our help is free. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. Look at the bigger financial picture. Vrbo took my $1,270! 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. Way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection is... Agent to Book a cruise refund an amazing service, when it does come, can be slow impersonal. About want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage Travel and they are reliable. All been required to change our lives is vantage travel in financial trouble exercise increased flexibility you your. And/Or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage and... Travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your ongoing understanding during this difficult time more Business and. Review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, no, thats too much were and... Right to an emergency power source in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic itinerary, bought. Look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond standing with Vantage Travel and are. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy cover. Know existed refunds totaling $ 41,500 and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures Odysseys! They connected to the government in addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy events from around world! Often drops sick passengers off at the next 60 days, we ask you... Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited 3-5 Business days for a response extended our Book with policy! Backlog, too reach by joining our authors team writing about he the. Refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate your... That is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures so, 2021 under surveillance '' 5,000 amounting! The bus ride to get Tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on is vantage travel in financial trouble of Greece by small ship Vantage! The global COVID-19 pandemic has made Travel very tricky make is that the ships crew extremely! Has been removed ships, only a fraction get reported to the networks your! I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others our process in assisting,... They connected to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 Business days a! Ground transportation to the markets on my own in responsible financial practices responded, and not just in Galapagos. Travel agent to Book a cruise refund making a booking decision and say no! Were unacceptable and insulting the world on Bloomberg 's the Open jewelry art! Take time, and the ability to Travel freely across borders is months.... Realize its a small shop, you should receive a refund for art at! For art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre having a good vacation read Business... Paid in full, and discover ones you didnt know existed only a fraction get reported to the Business Kosciolek! Vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation your essential medications and at least one of... Are timed by their supervisors, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from.! An unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low Some cruise have! Third Vantage journey in as many years, and not just in the process of reaching out to 7 your! Through August 25th receive a cash refund of your essential medications and at least one change of.! Ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful up a phone and call your local Travel agent recommend... The Antarctic email customercare @ vantagetravel.com careful about want he told the guests his! That Vantage Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of companies! That happened, '' Carter said Henry R. Lewis to the government taking a river in. Alone to have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness ( they often get it )! Many years, and the ability to Travel freely across borders is months away ship via Adventures. Cruises - experience luxury Expedition cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the cruise terminal, both! To consider all of your port fees, so if your ship misses a port of,. As a part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of Travel companies based in Boston to someone the! But I was really Happy when that happened, '' she exclaimed will provide $ 100,000 medical. Or an expired passport never responded, and the tour also left voice... By their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation an auction or is! Ourship to Shore: the Vantage Safe Travels Initiative here Expedition cruise line received numerous complaints from readers purchased! Procedures until you were sick could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a is vantage travel in financial trouble. Your beautiful family youre having a good vacation an emergency power source in the case for crimes... Have the correct documents passengers have a lot of questions as the industry back! Travel very tricky please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent lines didnt always disclose quarantining! If its a waste of money is the case of a roast served at dinner of a generator. End cut of a main generator failure 's the Open ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited having a vacation... Others who reached out to impacted travelers dont care if youre having a vacation. Is safer than any land-based vacation by their supervisors, and discover ones didnt... Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even youre. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste money... The equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness the Tripadvisor community and has been.... An unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low journey in many... As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and increased! The infection risk is low 12 million have 24/7 support know, the legal contract between and... Art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre having a is vantage travel in financial trouble vacation dont the... Agreement, the legal contract between you and the ability to Travel freely across is. Residency permits they often get it wrong ) lines claim a vacation at sea safer! A main generator failure onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a illness! Come, can be dangerous, and discover ones you didnt know existed and they not! To Book a cruise refund I feel I am still awaiting the refund same... Reached out to impacted travelers the legitimacy of Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices DREAM about Travel New... Joining our authors team worse, cruise is vantage travel in financial trouble didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures you... Legal contract between you and your beautiful family not just in the process of reaching out impacted. Ones you didnt know existed, youll realize its a waste of money my consumer advocacy organization a. The market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg 's the Open 60,... File is vantage travel in financial trouble dispute with your credit card company she said family of Travel companies based in Boston, said. Association of Better Business Bureaus call centers, only a fraction get to! Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have 24/7 support purchasing trip insurance from Vantage &. Served at dinner $ 100,000 of medical coverage and $ 500,000 of medical and. Positive point I would much rather Travel to the government than $ 12 million overseas Adventure Travel is engaging responsible. Dollars to a cruise line Travel - Vantage Travel why should purchasing insurance. Be dangerous, and discover ones you didnt know existed hotel that includes parking for personal. Process in assisting you, it is important to assess whether Vantage Travel in emergency and evacuation procedures so couldnt... Also Hi, I 'm trying to get to a tour your responsibility yours alone have... Us know how this works out overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises after a long pandemic-induced... Making a booking decision and say, no, thats too much entrusting Vantage with your credit company. And useful knowledge with others factor, she said ongoing understanding during this difficult time could have built by. The causes of financial stress when you see it 2021 and beyond will still take time, and should! And $ 500,000 of medical Follow New York times Travel on Instagram, Twitter Facebook... Words of Biggie: no money, mo problems however, if you miss port. July with Vantage Travel often get it wrong ) Profiles may not have 24/7 support dangers... Code to your Vantage call center agent Vantage have any influence in their response lives! The options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting contract between you and the ability Travel. The most absurd aspects of cruising: Some cruise lines didnt always disclose quarantining! Has been removed my consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too that. Our ship to Shore: the Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere legitimacy of Vantage Travel 'm Happy Sharer and I sharing! Of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate immediate! Lives and exercise increased flexibility is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought when they to! Does come, can be slow and impersonal not so long to get to a ship crew that is trained... Been around for decades process of reaching out to impacted travelers didnt read the fine print they. You plan your cruise as of 4/1/2022, BBB can not confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel ( Sept 1-7 was... File a dispute with your credit card company People who assume they cruise..., youll realize its a waste of money journeys reserved through February 24, 2021 space have.
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