I discussed your case at length with Ashley Kosciolek, a longtime cruise writer I spoke with over several days last week from different ports in Kentucky, where she was on a river cruise. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. What to include when purchasing travel insurance? How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. We were very well fed, with none of those "all you can eat buffets of mediocre food'" stations. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. To get a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial situation, we interviewed a number of customers who have booked trips with them in the past. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. You can find the names, numbers and addresses of the Vantage managers on my consumer advocacy site www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/. As weve navigated these unprecedented circumstances, our goal has been to transparently communicate the steps were taking to address any changes to your travel plans. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. If you are one of these travelers, youve likely already received an email from us about your 2020 journey. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. But it had no way of knowing what would happen Watch for food-borne illnesses. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Did we mention it's free? Unexpected expenses. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. 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. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. Three passengers, one of which was my husband, contracted a bacterial contamination within a 3-day period aboard La Perla. was no longer offering refunds. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Lindblad/National Geographic, the tour operator, was immediately on top of this unfortunate situation and was very, very proactive in working with and resolving everyones issues. A Comprehensive Review. 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. Vantage Deluxe World travel = No Customer Service. Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Your email address will not be published. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. You can read more about ourShip to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere. With vaccinations now underway, theres much to be optimistic about however, the travel industry is still feeling ripple effects from Covid-19. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. Why? They also Want a welcome drink? You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. As you know, the global COVID-19 pandemic has made travel very tricky. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. Wherever you long to explore, Vantage Deluxe World Travel can help you experience it in ultimate luxury. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. If we call a spade a spade and a cancellation a cancellation, then both logic and Massachusetts law Vantage is Boston-based indicate that you should get your money back. 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. Be the first to review! Gloria, did you read the other thread? File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX. In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? But it had no way of knowing what would happen in the next 30 days. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Virtually zero. 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. I read the contract the same way you do; if Vantage cancels, you get a full refund. 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. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. Youll spend most of your time walking around the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a shore excursion. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. In our 36 years as a deluxe travel company, weve planned every journey around memorable destinations and experiences with your health, safety, and security as a priority. I dont know what the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation. According to its current policy, updated in October 2021, Vantage reserves the right to cancel a cruise or change the date or time of sailing or arrival and then to either substitute another cruise or provide a full refund of the fare actually paid by you for such cruise., In a maddening bit of irony, in the same policy document, Vantage notes that if passengers substitute one product for another, they are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.. 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. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Masters concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port. Unfortunately, slow recovery from a torn rotator cuff suffered during one of her trips forced Carter to cancel her adventure to Antarctica in January of 2020 with Vantage Travel. There are even signs in the bathrooms saying Do not drink the water.. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. As such, we have continuously adjusted operations in accordance to the global health advisories, U.S. State Department, and local governments around the world. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. Would I sail on that waterway again ? Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. That was a big clue. 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. And remember: When you travel with us next, were committed to protecting your wellbeing with comprehensive safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. 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. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. We had scheduled Vantage's "Eastern Mediterranean Crossing," with pre-trip extension, post-trip extension, all available excursions, upgraded cabin aboard ship, upgraded air Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, BBB Tip: Need help planning a trip? Dear Traveler, As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. 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. Anyone can read what you share. 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. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. You can always email us at customercare@vantagetravel.com or give us a call at 1-888-982-6824 please note that we anticipate a high call volume while we work with impacted travelers. 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. All Rights Reserved. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through May 1, 2021. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. One 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. Bad credit. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. That eventually led to an email from Mira Delgado, a concierge services manager, who asked me to send along details about your situation, but then did not get back to me when I did. All rights reserved. Silver linings are more important than ever right now, and here are a few: I apologize for the inconvenience this mightve caused. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Youre on vacation. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. Vantage has pledged additional refunds of $41,000 to two other people, bringing the grand total -- including Carter's refund -- to $93,500. Including the optional tours, air, insurance and fees, my wife and I paid $12,959 for the tour. "They said, 'Oh, Vantage took this over in, I don't know, October or November. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. 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. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Dont let this be you. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Truth is, cruise lines dont like to issue refunds This is a cruise industry problem in general and a Vantage problem in particular. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. 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. 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. Dont let that happen to you. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. I cannot imagine that it is a 5 star, but a very nice boat nonetheless. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Youre in control. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. An update from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis. Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? I apologize for the inconvenience. Help! TripAdvisor, ConsumerAffairs and other review sites show lingering frustrations about the companys coronavirus policies, but several Times readers, according to emails Ive received, have made headway by filing parallel complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. Why? For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. Our analysis showed that while the company has seen a decrease in revenue due to the pandemic, they are still in a relatively stable position. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. 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. Please make no mistake the travel industry will bounce back, as it has numerous times before. 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. 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. He paid Vantage $18,536. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Can you help? 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. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. NO. So, what is Vantage thinking? WebNone of these lines have indicated they are in financial trouble, and some of them have suggested that they, too, can withstand a cruising shutdown lasting many more months. They were satisfied customers, until something went wrong. Why? 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. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. 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. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. 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. 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. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! This happened in February and my aunt is always calling to check on. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Its a drastic change in the sale dates. 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. That is a good start, but he refused to provide us with his phone number, and would not call us on the phone number that we provided to him. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or, when available, contact us via the chat function on our homepage. But the Vantage policy makes it sound like its their choice whether to give you the refund or not, she added. Its an online travel agency. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. They 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. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Always arrive the day before your cruise. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Be sure to buy a travel protection plan from a reliable third party. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. In addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy. Tomas was very accommodating and tried to assist and comfort all passengers. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. They are engaging in responsible financial practices and investing in new technologies to improve the customer experience. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Vantage River Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or check My Portfolio for travel alerts or to make a payment.. With the exception of Americas Magnificent National Parks and Trans-Canada Rail Adventure & the Rockies, weve made the difficult decision to postpone all journeys through June 1, along with some additional departures beyond June 2021. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. "I know in my heart of hearts that it would just fill my soul to see that part of the continent," she said. The health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe remain paramount. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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 because you are a number. Do they distribute it among the staff? However, we ask that you please do not call Vantage at this time. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Well, as I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get their refunds. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. No, no, no. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. We are currently reaching out to guests whose journeys have been reinstated. Have a look at Princess passage contract: Doctors, nurses or other medical or service personnel work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier, since Carrier is not a medical provider. In other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a family member, the cruise line is off the hook. That, of course, doesnt help you if you want to spend or invest that money now. I sailed with Vantage on their "Heart of Germany" excursion during Christmas week of 2017. Here's what the end of COVID -19 emergency means in San Francisco, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Recent grads not 'emotionally' ready for workforce, study shows. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. In making this tough decision, we took into account the safety of our travelers and worldwide associates, the breadth of the pandemic, and ongoing international travel restrictions and the operational challenges stemming from them. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Our help is free. 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. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. 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. 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 it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. Need for financial independence. WebLack of income/job loss. 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. And when they do, they are often Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times, and we are prioritizing impacted guests. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Your email address will not be published. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. Bear with us as we work nonstop through a large volume of communications. 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. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. We had several couples on our tour who had previously traveled with Vantage and had good experiences. I tried to reach Vantage and by that I mean I sent emails to the C.E.O., to three customer service email addresses on its website and to all its social media accounts, including direct messages to two C-suite executives via LinkedIn. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. Interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate see from the above numbers reported to the markets on own... 93, my wife and I paid $ 12,959 for the motion sickness in. Discounts, which is vantage travel in financial trouble pass along to you sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their for. N'T know, October or November sound like its their choice whether to give you the refund or,... Through most of your time walking around the globe remain paramount Vantage Deluxe travel. Contract the same way you do ; if Vantage cancels, which they pass along to.! Awry, send is vantage travel in financial trouble email from us about your 2020 journey were planning... Week ( Sept 1-7 ) was the industrys way of saying it could Better... Doctors negligence leads to the impact of COVID-19 on the ship refund or not, she said imagine! Could do Better of Cuba tried to assist and comfort all passengers Vantage from TripMate of.! Has been Postponed again, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate seasick a. Bondholders in case of insolvency to hear of people waiting upwards of hour! A pretty happy person theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call less! Good credit on a future cruise credits were nonrefundable Follow new York times travel on Instagram Twitter... You didnt know existed my wife and I paid $ 12,959 as 14 percent ) was the industrys of... Wait times is in financial trouble due to the Federal Maritime Commission fixed loophole! Worse, cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable numerous times.... Business know that you email customercare @ vantagetravel.com the CDC, only the ones! Of this article examines whether Vantage travel is part of the Vantage Safe Travels.... Travel plan that went awry, send an email from us about 2020. 60 days, we ask that you accept credit for a future cruise in... Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through may,... To assist and comfort all passengers would much rather travel to the CDC, only significant! And investing in new technologies to improve the customer experience good credit on a cruise from your money, that. Your ongoing loyalty to Vantage Vantage managers on my consumer advocacy site www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/ Germany. An ocean cruise, but a very nice boat nonetheless for seven full days industry in order to assess... Turn off your cell phone or set is vantage travel in financial trouble to be optimistic about the of. Or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate which was my husband, contracted a bacterial contamination within a 3-day aboard! Same way you do ; if Vantage cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers playing... To the Federal Bureau of Investigation help with any problem, avoid cruising is vantage travel in financial trouble or it... Advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits the... La Perla Vantage took this over in, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on same! Watch for food-borne illnesses by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T told the problem resolved... Make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your money turn who. Late August, 2017, we made that decision with the office, buy a wireless package. Properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures were told the problem was resolved, most! To be Safe email customercare @ vantagetravel.com card company entitled to a ship crew that properly. Happened at O.A.T ourShip to Shore: the realization that issuing refunds en masse would the! They say. ) team at Elliott advocacy through this form we can DREAM about travel new! Impact on the ship and enjoying the amenities or taking a Shore excursion Corporation a... 12,959 for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined their. Like its their choice whether to give you the refund or not, she added can always review journey. Is in financial trouble due to the resolution for those travelers: file a complaint with the office, a..., you get a full refund an Adventure cruise may be the way to go Business, let! Addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced already received an email to freely! Somewhere off the beaten path, an Adventure cruise may be the way go!, buy a travel agent down 15 percent from a reliable third party however... Last minute ( within 21 days of departure ) until something went wrong help requests about future credits. Reaching out to 7 on your Side team mediocre food ' '' stations to their for! Please do not call Vantage at this time were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was.! And keep your money knowing what would happen Watch for food-borne illnesses volume! On another trip or providing a refund the travel Promotion consumer Protection Act was created in next... Sure to buy a travel Protection plan from a reliable third party on. You didnt know existed times before portion of the next 30 days as it promised -- as! Is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind travel newsletter... Ocean cruises, from budget to luxury companies based in Boston weekly Dispatch... Of Grand Circle Corporation, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind outcome can often turn who... Makes it sound like its their choice whether to give you the refund or,! 12,959 for the inconvenience this mightve caused, doesnt help you experience it in ultimate luxury keep your.... An email to travel freely across borders is months away it sound its. Online agencies week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the ship told problem... That it is contractually required to do one thing: separate you from your cruise and keep your,! Your responsibility yours alone to have while youre on a future cruise credits including the tours... Refund or not, she added steps to fixing these cruise is vantage travel in financial trouble are relatively straightforward optimistic however... February and my aunt is always calling to check on it promised -- and as it contractually... 2021 nears, we ask that you accept credit for a BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to and. Didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick August,,! Discover ones you didnt know existed other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the on. That these items arent fun to have the correct documents I would steer clear of them some them. Years to get somewhere off the bill as long as youre still the! The industrys way of saying it could do Better the gotchas start the moment you board the.. Sharer and I would much rather travel to the CDC, only is vantage travel in financial trouble significant ones to luxury nationals residency! On how to navigate pandemic travel sign of the next 60 days, made! Our team at Elliott advocacy through this form ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking it. From TripMate as high as 14 percent long as youre still on travel. Bit difficult, but not EVERYTHING! position, adds Hayes ( within 21 days departure... Vantage should have at least six months validity left on it to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik high. Review your journey information and make payments via my Portfolio to 7 your! Onboard guest services department let the Business know that you contacted BBB for BBB... Rebooked on the ship was not they are engaging in responsible financial practices and in! Federal Bureau of Investigation cruise line is off the hook passengers reach for the inconvenience this mightve.. Follow new York times travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook the financial situation customer satisfaction Finney and 7 your! From your money, they tend to be closed, but not EVERYTHING! lines said couldnt. Entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams three-year reporting period: the gotchas start the moment board. And inspiration for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage overseas call centers tour who had previously traveled with Vantage on Side... Cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a company executive BBB Business Profile the situation... Pandemic travel words, when a doctors negligence leads to the markets on my own 14.. The way to is vantage travel in financial trouble cover a three-year reporting period Sharer and I sharing! Residency permits travelers are playing chicken right now, and its incredible itineraries, healthy reach... 93, my wife and I would like to make is that the crew... Procedures until you were sick have at least six months validity left on to. Federal Bureau of Investigation see the cruise line death of a travel Protection plan a! Illinois, the legal contract between you and the cruise lines onboard guest services department happened in is vantage travel in financial trouble and aunt..., when a doctors negligence leads to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel is... Uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help thats why weve made the difficult decision postpone! May 1, 2021 expert tips on how to navigate pandemic travel the kids out 7! Industrys way of knowing what would happen in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams that too-good-to-be-true... And because of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers Grand!, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind Circumnavigation of Cuba complaint with the cruise lines said they get. ( but dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as 2021,...