is vantage travel in financial trouble
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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. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Youre one of a million, literally. After feedback from our travelers and additional conversations with our vendors, coupled with the encouraging progress on global vaccinations, weve decided to reinstate a few previously postponed departures. Our columnist tries to get her the cash. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Pros & Cons. One refund has so far Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Whether its an optional shore excursion or an onboard auction, the cruise line wants more of your money than you spent on the cruise fare. We cannot close out the estate until we get this settled. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. Bernice, New York. Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. Can you help? Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. 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. Its extra. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. 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. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. We are currently preparing for our exciting re-entry into travel, and our three journeys of which launch at the end of August: Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro; Croatia & Culinary Gems of the Adriatic Coast; and our inaugural Ocean Explorer cruise, The Beauty of the British Isles. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. 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. Thats not entirely true. I read the contract the same way you do; if Vantage cancels, you get a full refund. Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. 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. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the Here are some of the risks. When we were finally able to talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. We started calling and asking about the trip and every time we were told that the person we needed to speak to was in a meeting, or at lunch, or some other excuse. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. They also The overall sentiment was that while Vantage Travel is still a reliable and reputable tour operator, they have seen a decline in business since the start of the pandemic. There are mice in my vacation rental! There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. NO. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. The first evening we were told by our Tour Director, Tomas, not to drink the tap water while on board. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Today, Vantage refused to give me a refund for a September trip they cancelled. I was told I could schedule a trip after they resume services, and And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. Click the link above to find out more. Its been eight months. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. So, would I take the same itinerary again ? We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. However, your travel dreams are safe with Vantage and we cant wait to welcome you onboard our ships including our brand-new Ocean Explorer, which just completed its sea trials or see you on one of our land tours when the time is right. No longer. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. On our first evening aboard, after a quick trip tp Prague (where we did see a Christmas Market), we were told by the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can also appeal your case to a company executive. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. that are a good company relatively higher end. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Too much debt. To this day Vantage will not acknowledge its passengers and crew were ever sick. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. But I was really happy when that happened," she exclaimed. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Still, Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have given you a refund (even before you wrote to me). Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. 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. So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. 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. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. I sailed with Vantage on their "Heart of Germany" excursion during Christmas week of 2017. In order to gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we accessed and reviewed their financial records. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. Founder & Chairman Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. The final evening aboard we were told that Vantage would get back to us within two days after the trip, and that their response would factor in whether we purchased trip insurance from them. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Youre on vacation. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Help! Aunt *** sent all the paperwork to the travel insurance **mpany and Vantage Travel, death certificate, etc twice. Your email address will not be published. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. WebA significant concern for travelers is Trip Cancellation. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Come on! But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. We continued to report it every day thereafter. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. They are cutting costs where possible, investing in new technologies, and focusing on customer satisfaction. The right to lodging if disembarkation and an overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. 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. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. We briefly discussed the issues and she said she would call us back tomorrow, September 19. And most passengers accepted the credit. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. I would say it is a gamble. Not sure what your looking for but a good company. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). WebBased on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Vantage Travel. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. 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. Unexpected expenses. Perhaps youve already even heard from us. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Don't call us anymore. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? Peter, let us know how this works out! If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. 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. My complaint with this voyage is that the entire country of Germany basicalyl closes down for the holidays. They say we are stuck with the credits in my case worth nearly $20,000. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. Ill make it simple. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. She never called back. 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. Roz. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. ), Back to O. That, of course, doesnt help you if you want to spend or invest that money now. "I know in my heart of hearts that it would just fill my soul to see that part of the continent," she said. Would I sail on that waterway again ? We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. But why cant I get a refund? WebLack of income/job loss. I have a friend who just had a Russian River cruise canceled by Vantage. 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