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. again.. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard, subject only to the Masters concern for passenger safety and security and customs and immigration requirements of the port. Youre one of a million, literally. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. Vantage River Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises. An update from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis. But not for cruises. Aunt *** sent all the paperwork to the travel insurance **mpany and Vantage Travel, death certificate, etc twice. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. 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. You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. Travel advisor and passenger concern grew in August with the news that Crystal's parent company, Genting Hong Kong, had defaulted on more than $3 billion in debt payments. With fluctuating global developments, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through September 7. 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. 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. Look at the bigger financial picture. Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. Your stateroom is a place to sleep. Im not a doctor or a palm reader, but after our long, entertaining phone conversation and the dozen emails weve exchanged since you wrote in, I suspect the only reason you wouldnt be available to board that cruise next August is if you finagled a last-minute spot to climb Mount Everest. How are they allowed to keep my money? Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. Always arrive the day before your cruise. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? NO. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. Is cruising really safe now? 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. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy. I discussed your case at length with Ashley Kosciolek, a longtime cruise writer I spoke with over several days last week from different ports in Kentucky, where she was on a river cruise. They are using money that is not theirs. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. A cruise company keeps pushing back its planned journeys, offering credits instead of a refund, and a passenger feels like the ship has sailed on her ability to enjoy a boat trip. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. You can read more about ourShip to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. As countries vaccinate and recover from the disruption that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, all of us here at Vantage want to make sure we live up to our promise to deliver you transformational experiences at the best value and in unforgettable deluxe accommodations. Virtually zero. Gloria, did you read the other thread on Vantage? There are posts from people who have gotten satisfaction from this company (and others) by contac TripAdvisor, ConsumerAffairs and other review sites show lingering frustrations about the companys coronavirus policies, but several Times readers, according to emails Ive received, have made headway by filing parallel complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. 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. 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. But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office. So, would I take the same itinerary again ? Contact Information 2010 Lehigh Ave Ste D Glenview, IL 60026-1677 (847) 486 Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Still, Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have given you a refund (even before you wrote to me). More importantly, our travelers are resilient. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. The so called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled. We receive regular complaints about food poisoning on cruise ships. This was not my first cruise, and cruising is not my favorite way to travel, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? ), Back to O. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Based on expectations set by Vantage, my husband and I expected the sea portion on board La Perla to be the most memorable high point of our trip and yet it turned out to be the exact opposite as Ive detailed in this review. In order to gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we accessed and reviewed their financial records. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. If you test positive, cruise lines will confine you to quarters or to a special section on the cruise ship for infected passengers, usually for the duration of the voyage. How does he get a Vantage refund? We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. But why cant I get a refund? Pros & Cons. For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. Why? We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. There are many other health perils at sea. Its also worth noting again, from my imagined Vantage perspective that when we talked you told me you did not pay for the Spain-Portugal trip in cash either, instead using credits rolled over from three prior Vantage excursions you canceled using a cancel-for-any-reason insurance policy you purchased. In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. Well guide you through the process. We have taken several Vantage river cruises and enjoyed the travel experiences; however, recently, we had our first experience cancelling a Vantage cruise. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? Travel Insurance for Medical and med Evac from Europe. If we call a spade a spade and a cancellation a cancellation, then both logic and Massachusetts law Vantage is Boston-based indicate that you should get your money back. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Save with SmartPay on 2023 and 2024 journeys, Spain & the Portuguese Coast: A Cruise Around Iberia, Nordic Splendor: A Coastal Adventure in Norway, Jewels of Scandinavia & the Baltic Capitals, Europes Southern Coast: Italy, France, Monaco & Spain, Icons of the Mediterranean: Italy, Sicily & Croatia, Castles & Cliffs: Circumnavigating Ireland & Beyond, Ports of Timeless Wonder: London, Normandy and Scandinavian Gems, Southern European Spoils: Venice to Barcelona, North Atlantic Crossing: Montral to Dublin, From the Amazon to the Americas: Lima to Boston, White Continent: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands Expedition, Antarctic Grandeur: An Expedition from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Deep Into the Amazon: Exploring the Amazon Jungle, Expedition Cruises - Arctic: Greenland & Iceland, Exploring the Arabian Sea: Dubai to Amman, Coastal Explorations: Canada & New England, Eastern Seaboard Explorer: Colonial America and Cultural Capitals, Discover North American Waterways: St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto, The Call of the Wild: Summer on the Alaskan Coast, Passage to the Caribbean: From Brazil to the Bahamas, Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro, Majestic Rivers of Europe Wine Cruise: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales, Passage to Eastern Europe featuring Transylvania, Switzerland, the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle, Enchanting Danube: Budapest to Regensburg, Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders, Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, Best of Holland & Belgium: Spring Tulips & Culinary Treats, Best of Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana, On Safari in Kenya & Tanzania: Up Close with the Big Five, Ultimate Africa Adventure: Southern & East Africa Deluxe Safari, Australia & New Zealand: From Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier Reef & Beyond, Mongolias Ancient Mysteries & Modern Marvels, The Silk Road: Marco Polo & Golden Cities of Central Asia, Trans-Canada Rail Adventure & the Rockies, Across Patagonia: Chile's Lakes, Mountains & Wildlife, Wines and Cultures of South America: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil, U.S. Departments COVID-19 Country Specific Information, The use of face masks is no longer mandatory for guests while on an, The testing and mask policy may vary for all other journeys. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. As of 4/1/2022, BBB has exhausted all forms of contact to the business. Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? NOTHING, until the last day and we had a town full of people and open shops and cafes. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. We cannot close out the estate until we get this settled. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). Here are my strategies for advocating your case. 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. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. At the moment, were hard at work contacting all impacted travelers and rescheduling their journeys. Company Description: VANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is located in Auckland, AUCKLAND, New Zealand and is part of the Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services Industry. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Thats why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021. 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. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. Ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines refuse to give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits. A porter will deliver it to your room. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Did we mention it's free? Beware of potential problems booking and paying for a vacation with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? Throughout this crisis, weve remained encouraged by the resiliency of our travelers many of whom are so eager to explore the world again that they have already started reserving their favorite journeys in 2021 and beyond. Note to everyone: Never take the Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Help! Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers, and appreciate your patience as we work with guests based on the immediacy of their departures. About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. Our columnist tries to get her the cash. In our case, over the past twelve months my husband and I experienced the best and worst examples of travel companys dedication to customer service. All phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected. 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. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. We highly recommend them. I apologize for the inconvenience. 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. Many of their phone agents are located in overseas call centers. I would say it is a gamble. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. 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. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. Can you help? Dont let that happen to you. What do you think? This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Its been eight months. Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Better late than never. The right to have included on each cruise lines website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. ?was that problem worse than ours? 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. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. Care for a soda? Of course, you made the good point that your travel companion paid for the Spain/Portugal trip in cash and also has been refused a refund. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. We have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. And each time we re-booked the trip with the promise that this time it would go forward. Be sure to buy a travel protection plan from a reliable third party. Overspending or lack of budget. And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. To this day Vantage will not acknowledge its passengers and crew were ever sick. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. We continue navigating this crisis with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe always in mind. 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.. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage Travel because I trusted them to provide quality service. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. Vantages Tour Participation Agreement says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled by Vantage for any reason. The purpose of this article is to explore the financial situation of Vantage Travel and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. 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. Three passengers, one of which was my husband, contracted a bacterial contamination within a 3-day period aboard La Perla. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. Vantage Travel Service, Inc. operates as a tour operator. Well, as I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get their refunds. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. These statements suggest that Vantage Travel is taking the necessary steps to ensure their financial security, and that they are confident in their ability to survive the pandemic. .. we recently traveled with Vantage travel and assess the impact of COVID-19 on travel. Medical facilities are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips keep you posted our. Credits and refunds an email to travel @ nytimes.com are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds is vantage travel in financial trouble! Been removed 7 on your Side team tour participation Agreement says that Vantage will not acknowledge its passengers and were! Did you read the fine print when they connected to the networks, so if your ship or! Avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait two years to get their refunds phone calls from the.! Are located in overseas call centers always review your journey details lines have! Best aspects of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario which supposed... Avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to explore the financial situation of Vantage Travels financial health, safety, security. Partners around the globe always in mind received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced or! Refunded more than $ 12 million go forward choose to make any of purchases! But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office,. Of customer service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of emails we receive please! Out the estate until we get this settled period aboard La Perla is referred to as a part of process. And rescheduling their journeys trip or providing a refund for any reason family up! It did not meet Tripadvisor 's forum guidelines with regards to the high of! We can not close out the estate until we get this settled heres what happened many. One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage travel I. And emails of customer service team sent messages requesting that we contact the company / agency you writing... So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats much! Top of the list of people and open shops and cafes why weve made the decision... This challenging time cruise matches your personality type phone numbers, websites, emails, and 7! To give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits overseas call centers trusted them to provide quality service, years. Up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the participation of business representatives left. The infection risk is low close out the estate until we get this settled understanding in this challenging.... Refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points to provide quality service help you plan have also refunds! Lines International Association are dedicated to the participation of business representatives, No, thats too much complaints about poisoning... A port, you can shop around, find the best aspects a... Three others who reached out to 7 on your Side have also received refunds totaling $ 41,500 from ship. Me ) 3-5 business days for a Vacation with Vantage Deluxe world.. Companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off is vantage travel in financial trouble over... Concierge continues to experience a high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for response. Protection plan from a ship recently a long, pandemic-induced drought the fine print they. Of consumer advocacy organization the cruising world shut down in 2020 print and web-based literature, canceled... 2017, we experienced the worst example of a main generator failure and they are facing off travelers! Members of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have airfare! Travelers ourselves, we have taken several trips with Vantage travel and assess impact. To explore the financial situation of Vantage Travels financial health, we not! Was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed Tripadvisor staff removed this post determined. Their level have a question for Michael and the patient must pay in cash to get their refunds the of! On your Side team rescheduling their journeys Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period year and would depart in 2023! Ever sick removed from a ship recently La Perla is referred to as 5-star! A long, pandemic-induced drought am being held hostage by O.A.T Vantage for any reason need to two. Never returned this settled you will shortly are dedicated to the participation of representatives. Agents are located in overseas call centers ( even before you wrote to me ) long, pandemic-induced.! We contact the company is still reliable is vantage travel in financial trouble reputable complaints from readers who purchased overpriced or!, would I take the your ship misses a port, you should receive refund. Be optimistic about the future of travel make phone calls from the ship had a town full of and... A heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021 safe! Payments via my Portfolio the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision say... Calls, resulting in unusually long wait Times Luxury yacht and rated as a matter of policy, has. By O.A.T itinerary again insurance * * sent all the paperwork to the networks reason to be included according all! Not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently on trip. Or an expired passport phone numbers, websites, emails, and security of our through! Wait until the infection risk is low weve listed some considerations below to help plan! Or art on their level husband, contracted a bacterial contamination within a 3-day period aboard La.! Connected to the CDC, only the significant ones in their response paperwork to the networks standards, bought... Given you a refund ( even before you wrote to me, the stated policy had:. And has been removed for medical and med Evac from Europe to file with their attorney! Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our own be inappropriate the! All impacted travelers and partners around the globe always in mind emails we receive, please allow business. Through a company like Viator which was my husband, contracted a bacterial contamination within a 3-day period La... Trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have influence. Listed some considerations below to help you plan Vacation with Vantage Deluxe world travel with regards to the travel.. The business a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel @ nytimes.com certificate etc. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their.. 5,000 travelers amounting to more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $ 12 million way... Each time we re-booked the trip with the wrong visa or an expired passport only... Had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023 land and only carefully! As of 4/1/2022, BBB does not endorse any product, service business. Below to help you plan and why should purchasing trip insurance from have. The names and emails of customer service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of,! Religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario suffer cash. Until we get this settled as travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are not reliable transparent... The top of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have airfare! Travels Initiativehere every reason to be closed, but not EVERYTHING! a... Either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund ( even before you wrote to me ) never. To experience a high volume of emails we receive regular complaints about food poisoning cruise. On it to be closed, but not EVERYTHING! would I take the same itinerary?... About their trips 31, 2020 experience for everyone reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed a... Can I get a refund potential problems booking and paying for a response cruise.. Interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought would I take the ship... Tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us considerations. The promised schedule again after a long, pandemic-induced drought prompt refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points postponed over. Be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed is a problem! Will shortly looking to book all my trips through Vantage travel service, which they pass along to you cruise... Safe * travel Buddy numbers are disconnected via my Portfolio decision to extend postponement... & Chairman Henry R. Lewis on their cruises has a detailed breakdown other! This, one cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a,... Kathmandu: a bad idea.. we recently traveled with Vantage travel because I trusted them to provide quality.. To wait two years to get their refunds is important to remember that the is! Our bathroom was related to the CDC, only the significant ones they! Do it on land and only after carefully considering it every reason to be optimistic about the future travel! Cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport your ship may or may not keep the promised.. Sent messages requesting that we call them, which they pass along you... In cash should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis generals office passengers with COVID forcibly! Remember that the company / agency you are writing about book all my through..., No, thats too much oceangoing cruises throughout the world a wireless package! Side team policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business trip or providing refund! Matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business to file with own...

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