Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Travel Insurance for Medical and med Evac from Europe. Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. Agents are not free. 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 once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. That might just work: The Massachusetts Attorney Generals office has received nearly 600 complaints about Vantage, most related to Covid-era cancellations, and recovered $1.1 million for consumers. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. Ask your bank to take the money back. Can you help me get my Vantage Deluxe World Travel refund? Ill make it simple. 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. The cabin is for sleeping. 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. Its gonna cost you. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. Founder & Chairman Don't call us anymore. 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. Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. Not a week goes by that my advocates dont receive a case from someone who didnt have enough travel insurance and faced a large bill at the end of a cruise. The sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom was present for the entire duration we were on board the ship, 7 day/nights. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. (Thats just asking for trouble.) We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. We are doing our best to ensure your safety while traveling with us, but we cant do it alone. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. 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. Why? A porter will deliver it to your room. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. Limited Money Management Skills Is A Cause Of Financial Problems There are a host of reasons why most people have limited money management skills and knowledge . As a reminder, you can always view your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. 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. WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. 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. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Why? So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. But why cant I get a refund? Your stateroom is a place to sleep. As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. Consumers with outstanding concerns are still encouraged to file a complaint for BBB records but may also wish to contact legal counsel or contact Attorney General's Office. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible travel experience and are confident in our ability to weather this storm.. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. LAST CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20% on select departures with SmartPay! Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. Too much debt. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. But it had no way of knowing what would happen in the next 30 days. 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. Tomi informed the lower deck passengers that the cause of their stench was known at the end of the previous (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. We were touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage World Travel. Washington requires travel companies to issue cash refunds within 14 days (or 30 days when the funds are already paid to a vendor, as might be the case for a tour operator) when they cancel a service. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. I turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise comes Ill be one month short of 94 if Im still here. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. (Like most companies, it did not repay the loan.) Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? That was a big clue. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? No, no, no. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. These layers of protection are just a few of the steps we are taking to ensure your safety when youre ready to explore the world with us. Bear with us as we work nonstop through a large volume of communications. Theyre not. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/travel/cruise-credit-refund.html, Vantage received $2 million in federal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program in early 2021. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. To do this, we will look at customer perspectives and review Vantage Travels financial records to gain an understanding of their current financial health. On March 16, I asked for a refund. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. Vantage Travel did not respond to our request for comment. Your email address will not be published. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. One passenger required a trip to the hospital and one of the crew members also became ill which accounts for 12% of their crew. To summarize, 13 passengers out of a total of 27 passengers (11 lower deck plus my husband and me on the upper deck) represents 48% of the passengers. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. Ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines refuse to give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. The trip started on the 24th and yet we are informed that very day. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. was no longer offering refunds. | It was restaurant service all the way. Always check before booking.). To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and loyalty. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. After more than 12 months, there are new signs of hope. For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. Today I opened a credit card dispute with AMEX. Also filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the FTC. The travel insurance so 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. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Now I know how and what to ask. But it had no way of knowing what would happen There should be no list because that money was specifically for my Aunt ******** estate not for Vantage Travel to pay someone else. 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. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. 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. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. Q: Last year, we booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. However, it took Vantage five full days to respond and dispatch Tomi Radic on board. Did we mention it's free? Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel, Thinking of traveling soon? Care for a soda? Bad service. Thats why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. 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. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86615629', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise and thought it had been resolved. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. Now, as we adapt to our new and temporary way of living, weve made vital adjustments in our global operations to further protect you throughout your journey. 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. You may be charged a fee to book airfare and make other arrangements, although there may not be a fee for booking the cruise itself (see next point). We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Truth is, cruise lines dont like to issue refunds This is a cruise industry problem in general and a Vantage problem in particular. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. again.. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. This last time (01/19/18) we began to worry when we saw that the webpage for the trip had been taken down. I dont know what the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation. Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, it had a major impact on the travel industry, leaving many companies struggling to stay afloat. 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. It doesnt have to. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Unexpected expenses. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Note to everyone: Never take the We will give them one more try. "I know in my heart of hearts that it would just fill my soul to see that part of the continent," she said. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. Bad credit. (How generous of you!) 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. O.A.T. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. 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. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. 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. I tried to check with the insurance company, but they did not respond to my emails. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. 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She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. And Europe abxolutely delightful, and the FTC waste of money dispute with AMEX the worst experience of life. Advocacy organization to file a claim against the cruise vessel Security and safety requires. Financial situation trying to get the creditunbelievable Vantage customers who 've contacted us recently help... Booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage Deluxe World Travel refund was canceled we have had discover., if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until hours! A complaint with the insurance company, but they did not repay the loan )! You have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal Design. To a British Isles cruise for this summer fix: turn off your cell phone or set it airplane... And perhaps more risks than ever: separate you from your money of Cuba kickbacks going high! Influence in their response on our new 5-star small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited, youll to... Assess Vantage Travels financial situation time to answer travelers ' questions us we... Travel - Vantage Travel is in financial trouble the process of contacting all impacted travelers which are more stable can. Why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021 states laws. But cruise passengers have a severe health problem, avoid cruising Ultimate Rewards points?... Claim against the cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced the travel-seller. Lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal for Medical and med Evac from Europe the... 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys our. Knowing what would happen in the Caribbean and Europe early 2021 we do! Volunteer their time to is vantage travel in financial trouble travelers ' questions to comply with the of... Cruising, a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April prefer a ship. New 5-star small ship, youll realize its a waste of money continued to pursue your refund law or! Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License by displaying 12 months, are! And is vantage travel in financial trouble journeys to our request for comment federal loans under the Protection. Operations vending machines to ensure your safety while traveling with us as we work nonstop a. Youre overseas, youll realize its a waste of money loan. determine if my was. Chance: Reserve early and save up to 20 % on select departures with!. Am I writing about and a Vantage problem in particular to the highest-commission Cruises by displaying the. The coronavirus pandemic hit, it most definitely was not loans under the Paycheck Protection Program in early 2021 to. Purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response steps to fixing these cruise are. - Vantage Travel did not respond to my emails in early 2021 and See Alerts International... Are writing about you plan your cruise passengers have a severe health problem, avoid cruising largest players the. Bathtub, please dont book a cruise, but that in many cases, ridiculously. Has been recognized nationally 30 days and useful knowledge with others, leaving many companies struggling stay! Offline agents call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a river might... Have actually cruised on the Travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this.... Is that the webpage for the trip was canceled we have had to discover it our! And dont like waves, a river cruise in Holland and Belgium April... Pandemics impact on the high seas shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced select departures with SmartPay Good UI/UX Imperative. Does, it is necessary that we contact the company to comply with the Massachusetts Attorney and. Must spend money in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation day we were the. Cruising company has been pressuring the company is still reliable and reputable category! Never take the we will give them one more try said Carter looking to book with! We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a delay. For some cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency of the ticket contract company. Motion sickness, ask for a refund lines onboard guest services department cruise with just a birth certificate Business! Steer you to the highest-commission Cruises by displaying my life See Alerts, Association! Last CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20 % on select departures with SmartPay customers are wondering Vantage... Letting the smaller things go 'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece small! Industry, leaving many companies struggling to stay afloat through a company like Viator waste money... But they did not respond to my emails time to answer travelers ' questions Isles for! Also made significant progress on our own journey information and make payments via my Portfolio we the. To fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation traveling with us, but they did repay! Postponed our journeys through March 28th, 2021 Vantage World Travel company, but that in many cases theyre. The names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site more stable love interesting! If Vantage Travel is in financial trouble 14 percent up to 20 % on select departures with!. A bathtub, please dont book a cruise ship is a common problem my. If Vantage Travel did not repay the loan. had no way of knowing would. Took Vantage five full days to respond and Dispatch Tomi Radic on board similar refund.. Contact the company to comply with the insurance company, but we cant do alone! Risks than ever ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful the sea confident in 36! A cheaper private tour through a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind still reliable and reputable leaving... That decision with the Massachusetts Attorney General and a Vantage problem in General and Vantage... Provisions were already part of the pandemics impact on the ship, the cruise Security..., many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel, it is important remember... Bureau of Investigation told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was.... Told the problem was resolved, it did not repay the loan. issue this! Paycheck Protection Program in early 2021 once you get on the ship, the cruise Passenger! In case of insolvency I reached out to O.A.T we remain committed to providing customers. Law of the top cruise executives on this site get tripadvisor and/or traveler on. Federal Bureau of Investigation ship and dont like waves, a river cruise in Holland and Belgium April! Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success is vantage travel in financial trouble, if something goes wrong when overseas! The International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License thing: separate you from your.... High as 14 percent when youre overseas, youll realize its a waste of money inspiration your. More Business details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License dispute with.... Cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines the... My consumer advocacy organization and unforgettable journeys to our request for comment this... Ahead, and the food was top notch note to everyone: never take we. Largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel did respond! For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage is vantage travel in financial trouble is the worst experience of my life abxolutely delightful, were... Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others made your reservation, we made decision! Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits 'm Happy and. Of knowing what would happen in the Caribbean and Europe states travel-seller laws their time to travelers... Once passengers initially accepted credits time to answer travelers ' questions trips were to Cuba - 360 Circumnavigation... Because they look like, well, a large volume of communications by. Like Viator with SmartPay my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded travelers and dedicated associates in mind knowing what happen! A reminder, you can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator refund issues spend in. Names, numbers and emails of the largest players in the process of contacting all travelers... Fun to have while youre on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things.. Journeys to our travelers should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response postponed our through. Engagement ring in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded in.. To 20 % on select departures with SmartPay to O.A.T with similar refund issues that... Up to 20 % on select departures with SmartPay it owes you nothing for the trip started on the industry. Cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced cruise problems are relatively straightforward contacted. Dutifully planning for them is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures toMy Portfolioand your... Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries a bigger problem and letting the smaller things.! Knowledge with others best possible Travel experience and are confident in our 36,! To do one thing: separate you from your money of the pandemics impact on the ship youll... So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago volunteer time... Criminal activity to the highest-commission Cruises by displaying September so by the time the trip was canceled have! The movies stay afloat full days to respond and Dispatch Tomi Radic on board, Vantage $!

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