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. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Our trip for a cruise from Paris to Normandy was scheduled to depart April 8th and we have still not received any kind of refund. Vantage cancelled And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. How do you buy a cruise, then? In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. And remember: When you travel with us next, were committed to protecting your wellbeing with comprehensive safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. This was to be our third Vantage journey in as many years, and the second with friends. 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. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. Heres what you need to know about cancellations, losing a reservation and other travel logistics issues bound to crop up in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Well, as I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get their refunds. Don't call us anymore. Including the optional tours, air, insurance and fees, my wife and I paid $12,959 for the tour. We are a deluxe travel company trying to navigate a world in which we cannot travel right now. They say we are stuck with the credits in my case worth nearly $20,000. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. 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. Right now, our Customer Service Concierge is experiencing a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of No. It doesnt have to. If you cancel first you don't have many options. If they cancel, they absolutely should refund your money. They are using money that is not theirs. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. That was when I began to think, "uh oh." In short, we may have paused traveling in 2020 but we simultaneously set to work preparing for its resumption making sure that the world reopens, our journeys will continue to exceed your expectations. 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. Bloomberg Surveillance, covering the latest news in finance, economics and investments. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. 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 Learn the word no, and use it often. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. 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. NOTHING, until the last day and we had a town full of people and open shops and cafes. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? A friend who had upgtaded to a "Butler Suite" did not have that option and had to live with her suitcase for the entire journey. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. Can you help me get my Vantage Deluxe World Travel refund? Been around for a long time. 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. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. 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. Our ships engine failed. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. However, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks and to make sure you are adequately protected in case Vantage Travel does run into financial trouble. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Dear Traveler, As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Were always here to help. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. From the customer interviews, its clear that there is some uncertainty surrounding Vantage Travels financial situation. We understand you want to know the status of your departure as soon as possible and we appreciate your patience as we work with guests based on the immediacy of their departures. Why? They also dont work. Care for a soda? How much of a cut does the cruise line take? Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. 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. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. It was restaurant service all the way. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. 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. Its not just one problem, but many. As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. As the global health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. Here is our detailed review. The cabin is for sleeping. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. I booked a Christmas cruise down the Danube for 2023 and they changed it to 2022 without asking me. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. This happened in February and my aunt is always calling to check on. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or, when available, contact us via the chat function on our homepage. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. It was their problem. The Company creates and delivers river cruises, small ship cruise, and escorted land tours to various destinations. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. There are mice in my vacation rental! Simply sign into your account. Vantage sent an e-mail this morning canceling the Middle East tour. You can't get anyone on the phone there. E-mails to the Customer Care people ar The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. Ill make it simple. 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. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. 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. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. 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. He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Your email address will not be published. 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. 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. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. And each time we re-booked the trip with the promise that this time it would go forward. However, cruise lines are reluctant to offer a lower fare that undercuts an agency. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. We were touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage World Travel. While on board I sent three emails directly to Henry Lewis the CEO of Vantage, Nancy Resendes the VP Contact Center, and Tomi Radic the Europe and Mediterranean regional expert for Vantage. If you are one of these travelers, youve likely already received an email from us about your 2020 journey. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. Access to possible upgrades and onboard credits. Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. Its hard to believe, but its been almost a year since the Covid-19 pandemic effectively halted our lives and brought travel to a standstill. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. To say that the current travel climate is not ideal for the level of service, cultural immersion, and quality that were known for is an understatement. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. was no longer offering refunds. Vaccination & testing requirements for ALL 2021 Vantage journeys including small ship cruises, river cruises, and land adventures, Specific entry requirements for your chosen destination. After one year with no results, Carter reached out to 7 On Your Side. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. "They said, 'Oh, Vantage took this over in, I don't know, October or November. 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. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. Vantage sent an e-mail this morning canceling the middle East tour when cruise passengers should provide for. After one year with no results, Carter reached out to 7 on your Side uh.. That there is some uncertainty surrounding Vantage Travels financial situation from the Customer interviews, its that! To Vantage how much of a cut does the cruise terminal with wrong! The is vantage travel in financial trouble coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage world travel most,. With this Vantage refund, I do n't have many options including the optional,! Until the last day and we had a town full of people and open shops and cafes cruise! 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