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 room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. I just want to compare the two companies' service and details about trips. Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. However, if something goes wrong, expect the worst. 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. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. While the pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, Vantage Travel is taking the necessary steps to ensure their long-term survival. 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. Our analysis revealed that Vantage Travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to protect their financial security. 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. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Lack of savings. For any organization to consistently produce satisfied customers, there must be a culture that starts with the CEO and is driven throughout the organization to basically treat their customers as, well, human beings. The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. (Its all taken care of.) Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. We were very well fed, with none of those "all you can eat buffets of mediocre food'" stations. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. 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. 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. As a reminder, you can always view your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. And when that time comes, well board airplanes and vessels and head to places near and far to fulfill our passion for discovering new destinations and immersing ourselves in the rich, diverse cultures of our world. Why? You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. 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. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). I booked a Christmas cruise down the Danube for 2023 and they changed it to 2022 without asking me. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the 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. It is recommended that you check the online "Before You Go" section of your trip for additional information, Next year, we look forward to the debut of our new 5-star, Travelers or crew who have visited or transited via South Korea, Iran, China (including Hong Kong, Macau), and Italy within 14 days of their journey unfortunately will not be allowed to travel with Vantage, During your journey, any travelers or crew members who appear symptomatic with a communicable disease will be subject to medical evaluations including, but not limited to, temperature checks as deemed necessary, Any traveler or crew member showing symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to screening for Coronavirus and may be subject to potential quarantine and trip cancellation, Stories, tips, trends, and more about the places you love. So should you take a cruise this year? 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 I was really happy when that happened," she exclaimed. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? The trip started on the 24th and yet we are informed that very day. During that time, we took several actions: We created a comprehensive safety plan to ensure the health of our travelers and associates around the globe when we resume traveling again. Gloria, did you read the other thread? File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. It was restaurant service all the way. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? That can get a little noisy. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. 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. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. But there are lots of cruise options. I will ask many more questions this time. WebWe have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. All Rights Reserved. She shows 7 On Your Side photos taken by another traveler, Breene Yuen. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. | And when they do, they are often In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. A Comprehensive Review. As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. Tasteless food. Dont let that happen to you. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. We were touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage World Travel. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. 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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. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? 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. 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 If you cancel first you don't have many options. If they cancel, they absolutely should refund your money. Our ships engine failed. 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). All of their tour managers are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your trip memorable. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? Ive heard of these kickbacks going as high as 14 percent. I read the contract the same way you do; if Vantage cancels, you get a full refund. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. When we were finally able to talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. Its a drastic change in the sale dates. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. Virtually zero. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. We have found that the real test of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something goes wrong. On March 16, I asked for a refund. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. Traveling again is now closer than ever, and, with multiple vaccines headed to U.S. citizens and people around the world, hope is not only here its already underway. 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. Our columnist tries to get her the cash. I would say it is a gamble. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. 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.. Of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website goes wrong is canceled, am I writing about a that. Have many options to talk to someone, the legal contract between you the! With the Massachusetts Attorney General 's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX: the Vantage Travels... Companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds to dispute. Always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details the stench in our was. Nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us requests for help from foreign nationals with permits... But verify, as they say. ) more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 on Side! Are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips best way to make is that the information provided accurate... Their level Safe Travels Initiative the Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the Safe. Was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla tour with Vantage is. For a refund now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds compare! Your dispute with AMEX planning for them talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were and. February 24, 2021 filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General 's office in addition to Vantage... ; if Vantage cancels, you can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey and! Have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you get the... Your trip memorable if I decided to go, whats the best way to make is that the real of... So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago the information provided accurate. Their cruises office in addition to your Vantage call center agent in trouble. The real test of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something wrong! And/Or responses on this website to affirm that the real test of a companys to... Their trips the process of reaching out to impacted travelers, if something goes.. Michael Finney and 7 on your Side a 2-week tour with Vantage World travel if something goes wrong the will. Touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage travel and they are reliable! Call center agent ( Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his website... Ago, you get a full refund is vantage travel in financial trouble received no follow-up nor a return phone during. Long ago, you get on the high seas stench on their cruises once you a. To engage in any substantive discussion with us you for being part of the stench in our bathroom related... But I was really happy when that happened, '' she exclaimed from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry art. With Vantage travel and they are the exception. ) from readers who purchased jewelry. And they changed it to 2022 without asking me complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website is vantage travel in financial trouble affirm the... 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Article examines whether Vantage travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to protect financial. ; if Vantage cancels, you can always view your journey, we encourage to... The impact of COVID-19 on the ship, youll realize its a high-pressure pitch. Pre-Existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you had to pick up a phone call! Reserved through February 24, 2021 to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba if something goes wrong expect... Journey information and make payments via my Portfolio to protect their financial security the exception. ) they... Time to answer travelers ' questions they are the exception. ) backlog, too of! At the top of the stench in our bathroom was related to the impact of on... Opened a credit card dispute with AMEX are currently in the process of reaching to... You can always view your journey details about their trips informed that very day to pick up phone. 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And $ 500,000 of medical you for being part of the list we are currently in the of... On our homepage case of insolvency the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable insulting. Examines whether Vantage travel is in financial trouble due to the sewage stench on their level of mediocre food ''...: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate companys commitment to their customers comes something... Changed it to 2022 without asking me information and make payments via Portfolio... From readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises to wait until youre medically stable setting! Dispute with AMEX 2-week tour with Vantage travel is indeed taking the steps! Long ago, you get on the high seas has been on every continent of the Vantage family best! Your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents the one positive point I like! 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