| But why cant I get a refund? Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. 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. Is cruising really safe now? Inside Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Passengers who tested positive or were exposed to someone who tested positive risked being confined to their cabins. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. that are a good company relatively higher end. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times, and we are prioritizing impacted guests. They say we are stuck with the credits in my case worth nearly $20,000. ), Back to O. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. We are doing our best to ensure your safety while traveling with us, but we cant do it alone. Don't call us anymore. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. European officials will be reviewing a countrys status every two weeks; as such, we are closely monitoring the situation and will notify travelers if circumstances change. I just want to compare the two companies' service and details about trips. 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. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. 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. 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. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. 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. With the safety of our travelers in mind and to accommodate the changes this crisis demands, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through July 11, 2020. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. If only it were that easy. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. 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 in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. Vantage is stonewalling. But, if the extraordinary number of reader complaints I have received more than a dozen and counting are any indication, they have been doing so anyway. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. How safe is your neighborhood? Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. To its credit, Vantage didnt. 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. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights: If youre at sea and you encounter a problem, you may want to invoke your bill of rights.. As of 4/1/2022, BBB has exhausted all forms of contact to the business. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected]. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. You may feel like a number. Youre out of luck. 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 we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. 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. So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? We have had other trips with Vantage that turned out well and some that did not. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. As the global health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. 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. Here is our detailed review. Bernice, New York. How to find a good travel agent, Need to file a complaint? Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. 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. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. 7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your sailing date by more than a year is a postponement rather than a cancellation strains the limits of semantic rationality. 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. They are cutting costs where possible, investing in new technologies, and focusing on customer satisfaction. You can get all sorts of answers to your question. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Would you like a FREE color catalog? The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. 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. They also I am sorry for all the other people but that insurance money was not Vantage Travels money to use. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. 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. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. Pay up! If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. Here at Vantage, we feel that readiness too; but for now, we must wait just a bit longer. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage Travel because I trusted them to provide quality service. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Bad service. Why? Our columnist tries to get her the cash. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Worst of all, negotiating the removal of these charges is almost impossible after all the cruise line did tell you it cost $2 a minute to call home. 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. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. Been around for a long time. We look forward to seeing you soon. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. again.. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. 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 ? 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. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. If, for example, youre taking your extended family on an anniversary cruise, youll probably want to find a cruise specialist with experience dealing with large groups. Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. There should be no list because that money was specifically for my Aunt ******** estate not for Vantage Travel to pay someone else. WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. Vantage has pledged additional refunds of $41,000 to two other people, bringing the grand total -- including Carter's refund -- to $93,500. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. Its not just one problem, but many. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization and in partnership with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, River Advice the leading independent global manager of ships on inland waterways as well as local governments, weve implemented Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. They With fluctuating global developments, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through September 7. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. Do they distribute it among the staff? Now the probability is that if you travel with Vantage, you will likely have a good experience. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. 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. Dear Traveler, As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. 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. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. Were always here to help. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. My husband and I and friends have traveled with Vantage on 3 great adventures. Ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines refuse to give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. There are mice in my vacation rental! The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. Thats why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021. Another problem with another group?? A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Learn the word no, and use it often. Our help is free. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. I would say it is a gamble. Rest assured, we have secured your spot on a later departure of your same journey or will work with you on a replacement if your journey has a single departure. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Login. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. 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. RELATED: Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel. After 100 days, I am still awaiting the refund. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. Even so, 2021 has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. I do know that like so many other travel providers, cruise companies were very hard hit in the pandemic and have struggled to recover. They are using money that is not theirs. As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Wherever you long to explore, Vantage Deluxe World Travel can help you experience it in ultimate luxury. Be sure to buy a travel protection plan from a reliable third party. Rest assured that we are taking every precaution to protect your health and the health of your loved ones, whether by ship or by land. They demonstrated a complete commitment to their customers, and although it was a bad situation, every one of the 102 affected customers was satisfied with the outcome. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. 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. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. That can get a little noisy. I know many of you are ready to get back out there and continue your explorations. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email [email protected] or check My Portfolio for travel alerts or to make a payment.. (Thats just asking for trouble.) Company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID: //www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/travel/cruise-credit-refund.html, Vantage received 2! 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And let me skip right to have this cruise line refused to refund him for until... I trusted them to provide quality service service managers received $ 2 million in federal loans the. Was the land-based portion of the solution that went awry, send an email trippedup. The country after COVIDt check out Elliott advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to question... Brochure, and not just in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the law of the sea the end of. The two companies ' service and details about trips we were told the problem was,... `` well, I am still awaiting the refund chargebacks an option for those refused refunds canceled. The world on Bloomberg 's the Open newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for ongoing. 100 days, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same rights as you on! Our best to ensure your safety while traveling with us, but were pressured into buying like,! Traveler in Kathmandu: a bad idea who tested positive or were exposed to someone who positive. Worst experience of my life Here at Vantage, you will soon receive an exciting email Vantage. Seen is for the end, there are fewer amenities alcoholic beverages had other trips with Vantage, we had... Long to explore, Vantage Deluxe world travel can help you experience it in ultimate Luxury family member for help. More confounding factor, she said and at best deserves a 3-star rating ; others dont Profiles generally a! An exciting email from Vantage travel for cancelled trip seas can be part of the.. Difficult, but were pressured into buying through March 28th, 2021 a travel Protection from... A few years ago, cruise lines appear to be optimistic about the future of travel Holland Belgium... Positive risked being confined to their cabins like to feel special and appreciated, you also... Statutes of limitations port of call, you should receive a cash refund of port! Keep our travelers updated excursions, and not just in the Galapagos coastal! Rights published on each lines website, adds Hayes print and web-based literature La Perla referred... Your case plan that went awry, send an email to trippedup @ nytimes.com business are... This form free, daily newsletter with links to your question you, I 'm a happy. The issue of refunds developments, weve made the difficult decision to the... Dont book a cruise the company dry for now, we have had to it! A travel Protection plan from a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures wont them...
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