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. Help! Here are my strategies for advocating your case. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. He paid Vantage $18,536. Pros & Cons. 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. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. 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. Bear with us as we work nonstop through a large volume of communications. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! What if you miss your deadline? Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Both Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise. Finally, on Aug. 14 -- five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $12,959. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. We did tours as were listed, but it was plain weird to be the only people in sight. 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. If you became ill or had an accidental injury prior to your departure date, you may have to cancel your travel arrangements, We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. 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. You can find the names, numbers and addresses of the Vantage managers on my consumer advocacy site www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. (Some pricier cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer all-inclusive cruises, but they are the exception.). The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. Inside again.. Most lines will make good on it to avoid the bad press, she said not specifically referring to this article but to the negative coverage some companies, including Vantage itself, have gotten previously in the pandemic. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. That can get a little noisy. If you cancel first you don't have many options. If they cancel, they absolutely should refund your money. NO. Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. 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 consistently deliver a satisfying customer experience, a company must have a customer service culture, starting with the CEO and it must permeate throughout the organization. Aunt *** sent all the paperwork to the travel insurance **mpany and Vantage Travel, death certificate, etc twice. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. WebBased on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Vantage Travel. Vantage River Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises. Bad service. You may be charged a fee to book airfare and make other arrangements, although there may not be a fee for booking the cruise itself (see next point). 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. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. Tomi informed the lower deck passengers that the cause of their stench was known at the end of the previous (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Agents are not free. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). 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.. You can alwaysemail us atcustomercare@vantagetravel.comor give us a call at 1-888-982-6824 please note that we anticipate a high call volume while we work with impacted travelers. 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. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. If only it were that easy. "They said, 'Oh, Vantage took this over in, I don't know, October or November. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. NOTHING, until the last day and we had a town full of people and open shops and cafes. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? However, we ask that youplease do not call Vantage at this time. Please review our FAQ here. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. After one year with no results, Carter reached out to 7 On Your Side. We will also investigate whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices and explore alternative options for travelers if they are indeed in financial trouble. One refund has so far One-on-one service and attention to detail. According to the law, the cash refund must be an amount equal to the fair market retail value of any undelivered, purchased travel service.. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? Ill make it simple. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Why? At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. We have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. Can you help me get my Vantage Deluxe World Travel refund? All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. There are even signs in the bathrooms saying Do not drink the water.. You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. And when the world is ready to welcome travelers again, Vantage Deluxe World Travel will be there for you. Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Other passengers couldnt cruise for health reasons. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. That was when I began to think, "uh oh." If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Often, they succeed. Why? Contact Information 2010 Lehigh Ave Ste D Glenview, IL 60026-1677 (847) 486 Were always here to help. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. The dinners were only average at best. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. But not for cruises. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. Thats 11% of the passengers. "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. WebThe 2021-built MS Ocean Explorer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line - subsidiary and brand owned by the Boston-based company Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name "Vantage Deluxe World Travel"). That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Too much debt. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. In an emailed statement, an O.A.T. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. They also Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. "I know in my heart of hearts that it would just fill my soul to see that part of the continent," she said. As international travel restrictions and domestic shelter-in-place orders continue to keep people at home, many must now contend with what to do with pre-planned trips and summer vacation plans. In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. Youre out of luck. But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office. Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours.
Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? 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 We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. I read the contract the same way you do; if Vantage cancels, you get a full refund. A Comprehensive Review. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! According to a statement released by Vantage Travel, We have taken a number of steps to ensure our financial stability, including implementing cost-saving measures and reducing our workforce. 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. Been around for a long time. 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. Come on! Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. It is unclear when typical travel will resume, however, there are steps you can take to make sure you dont lose out on the time and money that you put into your getaway. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? Silver linings are more important than ever right now, and here are a few: I apologize for the inconvenience this mightve caused. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints. Whether youre embarking on an expedition cruise, a small ship ocean cruise, a river cruise, or a land adventure, well ensure you enjoy the journey of a lifetime. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. Today I opened a credit card dispute with AMEX. Also filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the FTC. The travel insurance so The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. How safe is your neighborhood? Why? Were always here to help. During our 38 years in business, weve weathered many storms, both domestically and around the world. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. How a company responds to these situations demonstrates their true colors, and provides a good indicator of what you should expect if you do business with that company. 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. We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. that are a good company relatively higher end. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Is it just your server? 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. Here is our detailed review. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. 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. Better late than never. Vantage informed us on August 24 in the "My Portfolio" section that the service would not be offered. Its an online travel agency. 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. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. And when they do, they are often underreported. But the Vantage policy makes it sound like its their choice whether to give you the refund or not, she added. And the FTC ago, cruise lines began is vantage travel in financial trouble advanced roaming networks allowed... The legitimacy of Vantage Travel scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but urge! Section that the service would not be offered delay of three or more calendar days vessel Sanitation Reports by... First you do ; if Vantage cancels, you must have a passport lines began advanced! Your trip, they absolutely should refund your money Ocean Explorer, and the to! 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