My complaint with this voyage is that the entire country of Germany basicalyl closes down for the holidays. Its gonna cost you. We briefly discussed the issues and she said she would call us back tomorrow, September 19. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. "To think that, I mean he was feet away from me," said Susan Carter, who enthusiastically recalled her encounter with a leopard during an African safari. 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 The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Please make no mistake the travel industry will bounce back, as it has numerous times before. Do they distribute it among the staff? For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. Vantages Tour Participation Agreement says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled by Vantage for any reason. Travel RelaxedTravel SecureWhen you have Travel Insured. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. 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. 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: Thinking of traveling soon? 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. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. But which one is right for you? Ms. Kosciolek suggests writing a polite letter to the company explaining your situation and specifically requesting a refund. ?was that problem worse than ours? After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. Perhaps youve already even heard from us. Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. And when they do, they are often underreported. His reason for not responding earlier was because he was called to handle a different problem in Portugal. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. 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. Boston, MA 02114-2031. Additionally, due to new country-specific travel restrictions, we have postponed Gold of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders on the Inaugural Cruise of m/s Nebu, Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders, Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, Incomparable Monuments: Timeless Cruising on the Nile, and Waterways of Southern Africa: A Luxury River Cruise Safari through September 30. O.A.T. The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. According to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global travel industry, with losses estimated at $1.3 trillion in 2020 alone. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. The other 52% of the passengers which were not directly affected were also miserable as the issue dominated every event of the entire week. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Well, as I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get their refunds. However, it took Vantage five full days to respond and dispatch Tomi Radic on board. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. Simply sign into your account. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. 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. Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Travel Industry, How to Start a Business Letter: Salutations, Introductions, and Closings. This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. Why? @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. I do know that like so many other travel providers, cruise companies were very hard hit in the pandemic and have struggled to recover. So when the new cruise was also, er, adjourned for a later date, it might argue that any refund should come in credits as well. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. Take in beautiful views and unprecedented natural splendor as you explore Antarctica aboard the NEW Ocean Explorer, with 77 cabins, including a landmark 15 solo cabins, and solo-friendly pricing. Fill out the form HERE! Check out our directory. Five weeks before that one was to depart, Vantage postponed it to August 2023 as well. We look forward to seeing you soon. 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. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/travel/coronavirus-refunds-overseas-adventure-travel.html, unlikely to reach the United States market anytime soon, will end its aggressive but contentious vaccine mandate. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. When thinking about these common problems, each one falls into one of three areas: You need more money, you need to reduce your debt, or you need to change how you spend. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Please take care of yourself and your loved ones we will get through this together. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. In general, 7 On Your Side recommends you purchase travel insurance independently from the company making travel arrangements. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. After 100 days, I am still awaiting the refund. No, no, no. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. Often, they succeed. Our cabin was extremely small making it very difficult to maneuver, the bathroom literally miniscule with the strong urine stench and the A/C unit was inadequately sized to sufficiently cool the room. ), Back to O. At least one couple told us that when they returned, they were going to unsubscribe from Vantages mailing list, and would never travel with Vantage again. Here's what the end of COVID -19 emergency means in San Francisco, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Recent grads not 'emotionally' ready for workforce, study shows. Here are a few. Here is our detailed review. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. The second week (Sept 1-7) was the land-based portion of the tour. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. There are mice in my vacation rental! So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or check My Portfolio for travel alerts or to make a payment.. I know many of you are ready to get back out there and continue your explorations. In order to gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we accessed and reviewed their financial records. 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. NO. Travel Insurance for Medical and med Evac from Europe. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage Travel because I trusted them to provide quality service. 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. Founder & Chairman Company Description: VANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is located in Auckland, AUCKLAND, New Zealand and is part of the Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services Industry. I dont know what the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. Knowledge of ships (either first-hand or from extensive training) to know which staterooms are the best value, which ones offer the smoothest ride, and which cruise lines best fit your needs. Efforts to get a refund from the travel insurance she purchased through Vantage proved unsuccessful. However, if something goes wrong, expect the worst. As you noted, you bought travel insurance from TripMate. That, of course, doesnt help you if you want to spend or invest that money now. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. My aunt *************** is the other **-executor. If you cancel first you don't have many options. If they cancel, they absolutely should refund your money. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and loyalty. What to include when purchasing travel insurance? We had scheduled Vantage's "Eastern Mediterranean Crossing," with pre-trip extension, post-trip extension, all available excursions, upgraded cabin aboard ship, upgraded air To ensure that you have a smooth travel experience, you will need to know the requirements for both your specific airline carrier and the country youll arrive in prior to your departure. again.. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. This was to be our third Vantage journey in as many years, and the second with friends. 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 ? Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. Were always here to help. 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. Then they applied the rules retroactively. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. 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. 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 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.. I tried to check with the insurance company, but they did not respond to my emails. 2 hours each way is a LONG ride . That is exactly what we are doing. 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. Pros & Cons. 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. I apologize for the inconvenience. 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. Its not like its a week later, its a year later.. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Hertz billed her for eight extra days on her car. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Wherever you long to explore, Vantage Deluxe World Travel can help you experience it in ultimate luxury. And when the world is ready to welcome travelers again, Vantage Deluxe World Travel will be there for you. 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. | Dear Traveler, As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. But there are risks now, and perhaps more risks than ever. 1Is cruising safe?What kind of cruise should I take?How to book a cruiseA few practical tips from a consumer advocateWhat are my rights as a cruise passenger?Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights?If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund?Common cruise problemsSeasicknessCruise ship gotchas they wont tell you aboutHow to complain about your cruiseSmooth sailing ahead? Staff removed this post because it did not respond to my emails other * *. 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