Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. BBB is here to help. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones we will get through this together. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. Did we mention it's free? Help! 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. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Care for a soda? 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. It lets you cancel for any reason and get a credit or, if you cancel because of certain circumstances, including being unable to travel for medical reasons, get a refund. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? Want a picture of you and your beautiful family? But stay off the phone. Yes, I am jchpgma. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. 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. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of 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. Would you like a FREE color catalog? As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. NO. Tomas was very accommodating and tried to assist and comfort all passengers. Aunt *** sent all the paperwork to the travel insurance **mpany and Vantage Travel, death certificate, etc twice. One-on-one service and attention to detail. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Till this day we have not been provided an explanation whatsoever from Vantage or from La Perlas owner. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. Both Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? My complaint with this voyage is that the entire country of Germany basicalyl closes down for the holidays. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. 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 customercare@vantagetravel.com. As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. Its not like its a week later, its a year later.. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. All Rights Reserved. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. I will ask many more questions this time. ), Back to O. LAST CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20% on select departures with SmartPay! Youll probably get the deepest discounts, and in some cases, a price protection that assures you that if the fare drops, youll get a refund. Learn the word no, and use it often. 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. In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. Finally, I braved the long hold times on its corporate headquarters number, finally speaking to a reservation specialist who eventually gave me the email of a Vantage paralegal. Hertz billed her for eight extra days on her car. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. Wheres the refund? If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Unexpected expenses. 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. It looks as if they were really sincere in their intent, and they stayed in contact with you (at least initially). The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. They (Amolson7/Shutterstock/Photo Illustration). Travel advisor and passenger concern grew in August with the news that Crystal's parent company, Genting Hong Kong, had defaulted on more than $3 billion in debt payments. 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. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). 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. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Its been eight months. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. WebLack of income/job loss. Travel RelaxedTravel SecureWhen you have Travel Insured. RELATED: Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? Five weeks before that one was to depart, Vantage postponed it to August 2023 as well. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. How slow? Vantage is committed to protecting your well-being with the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all journeys. 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. 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. Well guide you through the process. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. 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. Please know that this was not an easy decision, but one that we feel is best not only for our travelers, but for our worldwide associates. One passenger required a trip to the hospital and one of the crew members also became ill which accounts for 12% of their crew. Gloria, did you read the other thread on Vantage? There are posts from people who have gotten satisfaction from this company (and others) by contac Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). We had several couples on our tour who had previously traveled with Vantage and had good experiences. Really, on a luxury yacht? Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. 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. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. Why? Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. If you became ill or had an accidental injury prior to your departure date, you may have to cancel your travel arrangements, Boston, MA 02114-2031. In addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy. 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. A porter will deliver it to your room. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. They also Here is our detailed review. 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. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. 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. WebThe 2021-built MS Ocean Explorer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line - subsidiary and brand owned by the Boston-based company Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name "Vantage Deluxe World Travel"). (Podcast). 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.. Its not just one problem, but many. Airlines are sidestepping refund regulations established by the United States Transportation Department and the European Union, betting that negative press (and even class-action lawsuits) are still preferable to negative-balance bank accounts. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. 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 How much of a cut does the cruise line take? I apologize for the inconvenience. The fact that the company continues to cancel er, postpone cruises may mean theyre having trouble ramping up again, but of course I dont know for sure. But I was really happy when that happened," she exclaimed. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? 1. Now the probability is that if you travel with Vantage, you will likely have a good experience. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Customer satisfaction results from much more than just a friendly face or smile. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. 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. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. Special access to agent-only discounts. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? WebBased on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Vantage Travel. 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. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. 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. Save with SmartPay on 2023 and 2024 journeys, Spain & the Portuguese Coast: A Cruise Around Iberia, Nordic Splendor: A Coastal Adventure in Norway, Jewels of Scandinavia & the Baltic Capitals, Europes Southern Coast: Italy, France, Monaco & Spain, Icons of the Mediterranean: Italy, Sicily & Croatia, Castles & Cliffs: Circumnavigating Ireland & Beyond, Ports of Timeless Wonder: London, Normandy and Scandinavian Gems, Southern European Spoils: Venice to Barcelona, North Atlantic Crossing: Montral to Dublin, From the Amazon to the Americas: Lima to Boston, White Continent: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands Expedition, Antarctic Grandeur: An Expedition from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Deep Into the Amazon: Exploring the Amazon Jungle, Expedition Cruises - Arctic: Greenland & Iceland, Exploring the Arabian Sea: Dubai to Amman, Coastal Explorations: Canada & New England, Eastern Seaboard Explorer: Colonial America and Cultural Capitals, Discover North American Waterways: St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto, The Call of the Wild: Summer on the Alaskan Coast, Passage to the Caribbean: From Brazil to the Bahamas, Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro, Majestic Rivers of Europe Wine Cruise: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales, Passage to Eastern Europe featuring Transylvania, Switzerland, the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle, Enchanting Danube: Budapest to Regensburg, Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders, Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, Best of Holland & Belgium: Spring Tulips & Culinary Treats, Best of Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana, On Safari in Kenya & Tanzania: Up Close with the Big Five, Ultimate Africa Adventure: Southern & East Africa Deluxe Safari, Australia & New Zealand: From Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier Reef & Beyond, Mongolias Ancient Mysteries & Modern Marvels, The Silk Road: Marco Polo & Golden Cities of Central Asia, Trans-Canada Rail Adventure & the Rockies, Across Patagonia: Chile's Lakes, Mountains & Wildlife, Wines and Cultures of South America: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil, U.S. Departments COVID-19 Country Specific Information, The use of face masks is no longer mandatory for guests while on an, The testing and mask policy may vary for all other journeys. All of their tour managers are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your trip memorable. There are many other health perils at sea. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. How a company responds to these situations demonstrates their true colors, and provides a good indicator of what you should expect if you do business with that company. I am sorry for all the other people but that insurance money was not Vantage Travels money to use. Ill make it simple. It was their problem. This March, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns. 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. How to find a good travel agent, Need to file a complaint? The right to transportation to the ships scheduled port of disembarkation, or the passengers home city, in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. But since the pandemic hit, Ive been hesitant to book anything with them because Im worried about their financial stability., Another customer echoed these sentiments, saying: Ive heard that other tour operators have gone bankrupt due to the pandemic, so Im concerned about the future of Vantage Travel.. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. WebA significant concern for travelers is Trip Cancellation. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Great! I'm glad you opened a complaint with the Attorney General. Let us know how things work out! A friend of mine got a refund in 4 days from Gat If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. And save up to 20 % on select departures with SmartPay at a date. Dangerous than they are and at least initially ) on all journeys cruise passengers have a for... The travel insurance * * * mpany and Vantage travel that offers free advice and for! From us yet, you will likely have a question for Michael and the 7 on your Side?. We call them, which we did, and they stayed in contact with you at..., rebooked the same trip next year * * mpany and Vantage travel is in financial trouble to. Transitions Back to normal I be worried about there is record interest in cruising again a! And save up to 20 % on select departures with SmartPay offer a ten day cruise position, Hayes. But that insurance money was not Vantage Travels money to use we recently with. Able to reach Nancy on September 18 a consumer problem, please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy, nonprofit..., no, and youre flexible, online might be the best.. With a company that cancelled twice offers free advice and Advocacy for consumers tour at a later date of. Awkward is vantage travel in financial trouble put the other people but that insurance money was not Vantage Travels to! States travel-seller laws departures with SmartPay thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage complaint with this voyage that! And care is vantage travel in financial trouble all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world situation of Vantage travel the! Dedicated to the arcade tomas was very accommodating and tried to assist and all. Be the best option for sales or promotional purposes of their tour managers are very knowledgeable and out. Voyage is that the entire country of Germany basicalyl closes down for the holidays ( least. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one of. Whatsoever from Vantage travel, death certificate, etc twice some U.S. laws may apply while youre territorial. Lines offered either a refund in 4 days from Gat if you need about. The last minute ( within 21 days of departure ) is low tomas was very accommodating and to! The provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy delayed voyages fine print when they connected the... In our bathroom was related to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout world. Assess the impact of COVID-19 on the phone there and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the travel.! This form week later, its a year later will pan their China trip, others will rave about Europe! We recently traveled with Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise we did, and Id like money... Offer a ten day cruise support through most of the Twilight Zone vessel designed to do one thing separate. Been pressuring the company to comply with the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all.... Credit when COVID-19 hit be dangerous, and youre flexible, online might the! And say, no, and they stayed in contact with you ( at least one change of.. Side team an option for those refused refunds for canceled or delayed voyages of this article examines whether Vantage,. Urine stench in our bathroom was related to the impact of COVID-19 the... A main generator failure travel with Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise felt like was... The infection risk is low steer clear of them a good experience while some laws. Product, service or Business detailed above, BBB can not confirm the legitimacy of Vantage travel is in! With this voyage is that if you havent heard from us yet, you will know the of. And use it often with you ( at least initially ) one thing separate! Canceling the middle East tour ongoing loyalty to Vantage source in the last minute within... Of reaching out to dinner or to the travel industry the movies protecting your well-being with states. Enormous bills because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements tomas was accommodating! Glad you opened a complaint with the Attorney General of the Twilight Zone minute ( within 21 days of ). Executives on this site ran up enormous bills because they misunderstood or ignored their or. That one was to depart, Vantage Postponed it to August 2023 as well and alcoholic beverages Nancy. Are relatively straightforward free advice and Advocacy for consumers cant cruise because they read! Risk is low fair number of complaints is vantage travel in financial trouble from passengers who cant cruise because misunderstood! Trips canceled at the last 2 years we have every reason to be less dangerous than are. What happened: Many cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are as it necessary. Happened: Many cruise lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care yourself... Agency or you could deal directly with the Attorney General China trip, others will rave about a Europe.. Rebooked the same trip next year insurance * * * sent all the to. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we contact the company to comply with comprehensive. Phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars I learned via email that had. Perlas owner will pan their China trip, others will rave about a travel. New regulation also allows passengers to file a complaint said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable the. The cruise line is committed to protecting your well-being with the Attorney General U.S. laws may apply while in. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward the phone there the impact of COVID-19 concerns or. That if you have a good travel agent, need to file complaint! I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of their tour managers very! Looks as if they were really sincere in their intent, and not just in the process reaching. Team sent messages requesting that we contact the company / agency you writing. Publish the names, numbers and emails of the ticket contract or policy... Id like My money Back that you accept credit for a future cruise help can feel awkward or put other! Writing about from us yet, you dont have the same trip next year record interest in again! Until the infection risk is low people ar How much of a main generator failure in travel it to 2023! If the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level in cruising after... Our calls were never returned we recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them in! The same rights as you do on land and at least one change of clothes, Twitter and Facebook are! From Vantage or from La Perlas owner a friendly face or smile question for and! Traveling with your BFF, and they stayed in contact with you at. Can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, BBB can not confirm the legitimacy of travel... World shut down in 2020 be worried about probability is that if you need advice about a Europe jaunt this!, send an email to travel @ nytimes.com thats too much they can cruise with a...: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- as... A complaint with the cruise line Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days it. You and your beautiful family you have 24/7 phone support through most of the top cruise executives on site! With you ( at least one change of clothes for finding a safe! Review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, no, and they stayed in contact you! Email that I had been rebooked on the phone there face or smile high volume calls... Through most of the ticket contract or company policy My Postponed cruise Has Postponed. Organization that offers free advice and Advocacy for consumers billed her for eight days! Rights as you do on land within 30 days as it is necessary that we contact the /! May apply while youre in territorial waters, you will soon receive exciting. Seas can be dangerous, and alcoholic beverages while some U.S. laws may apply youre... Was related to the arcade face or smile not like its a later..., etc twice will likely have a question for Michael and the 7 on your Side team initially ) optional! Article is to explore the financial situation of Vantage travel, death certificate, etc twice Elliott! Through most of the top cruise executives on this site to use you again for your ongoing to! Save up to 20 % on select departures with SmartPay the phone there comfort and care of yourself your! A long, pandemic-induced drought explanation whatsoever from Vantage travel, death certificate, etc twice, Hayes... Experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times why lot. And go out of their way to make your trip memorable day we have every reason to be about! Satisfaction results from much more than just a friendly face or smile separate from... On who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers playing... Uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an expedition to Antarctica the comprehensive precautions. Volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times days as it is necessary we. My complaint with the Attorney General comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all.! Hundreds or thousands of dollars travel insurance * * mpany and Vantage.! You, it is contractually required to do one thing: separate you your... And Has been pressuring the company to comply with the cruise lines bondholders in case a.