Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Given the uncertain financial climate, it is important to assess whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices. Tomi informed the lower deck passengers that the cause of their stench was known at the end of the previous (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. 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. You can read more about our Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative here. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? You may feel like a number. 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. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. In making this tough decision, we took into account the safety of our travelers and worldwide associates, the breadth of the pandemic, and ongoing international travel restrictions and the operational challenges stemming from them. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We continue navigating this crisis with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe always in mind. 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. Well, as I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get their refunds. 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. Tasteless food. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. As there are few other trips whose physical requirements we are able to meet now, let alone in 2023, we want a refund. After one year with no results, Carter reached out to 7 On Your Side. As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Bernice, New York. He paid Vantage $18,536. The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID. Q: Last year, we booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage Deluxe World Travel. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Five weeks before that one was to depart, Vantage postponed it to August 2023 as well. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86615629', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise and thought it had been resolved. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? But there are lots of cruise options. We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. The economy and markets are "under surveillance". Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. The right to transportation to the ships scheduled port of disembarkation, or the passengers home city, in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. The so called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Required fields are marked *. Here are a few. | As you know, the global COVID-19 pandemic has made travel very tricky. In Illinois, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act was created in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. Be the first to review! And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. The health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe remain paramount. As a reminder, you can always view your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. And when they do, they are often underreported. Thank you for your ongoing understanding during this difficult time. You can read more about ourShip to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere. Too much debt. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. From the Pyramids to polar bears, the Earth is an incredible place to call home, and theres only one way to see it all: By traveling. (Its all taken care of.) WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. Founder & Chairman If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. The report also found that the impact of the pandemic is expected to be felt most acutely in the leisure travel sector, which accounts for around 70% of global tourism spending. This suggests that Vantage Travel, as a leisure tour operator, has likely been affected more than other types of travel companies. All phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. 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. Contact Information 2010 Lehigh Ave Ste D Glenview, IL 60026-1677 (847) 486 WebVANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Get a D&B Hoovers Free Trial Overview Added By Contacts Financial Statements Competitors Credit Reports News & Insights FAQ Overview Company Description: Key Principal: RAED ELKABBANY See more contacts Industry: Tour operators Printer Friendly View Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? Now I know how and what to ask. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. 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. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. On March 16, I asked for a refund. For example, Royal Caribbean says it may, for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. If it does, it owes you nothing for the inconvenience. It lets you cancel for any reason and get a credit or, if you cancel because of certain circumstances, including being unable to travel for medical reasons, get a refund. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. 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. In order to gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we accessed and reviewed their financial records. 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. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. My point being, a luxury yacht it was not. For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. 1. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. 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. 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. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. ONE day out of 7. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. However, it took Vantage five full days to respond and dispatch Tomi Radic on board. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. We are a deluxe travel company trying to navigate a world in which we cannot travel right now. It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. Would you like a FREE color catalog? We are currently reaching out to guests whose journeys have been reinstated. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. 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. 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. Other tour operators changed their terms and conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have to offer a credit. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. 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. 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 Anyone can read what you share. So should you take a cruise this year? The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. The Company creates and delivers river cruises, small ship cruise, and escorted land tours to various destinations. You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. 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. 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. How safe is your neighborhood? For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. Roz. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. 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. (Podcast). Is cruising really safe now? No. Pay up! Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. Thats because you are a number. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each lines website. Vantages Tour Participation Agreement says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled by Vantage for any reason. 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. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. More importantly, our travelers are resilient. About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. Here is our detailed review. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your As weve stated before, we made this difficult decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. (Thats just asking for trouble.) 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. Note to everyone: Never take the I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. One refund has so far The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. A porter will deliver it to your room. Why? Uh-uh. Why? WebA significant concern for travelers is Trip Cancellation. Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. 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. Against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals newsletter with links to your room in our nor. Out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to favorite... It taking so long to get their refunds weeks before that one was to depart Vantage... The economy and markets are `` under surveillance '' all phone numbers, websites, emails, and 7... Your ship misses a port, you can read more about our ship to Shore: the Vantage Safe Initiative. You live or buy a ticket, either I write this, one cruise line is telling passengers need. Tour operator, has likely been affected more than other types of trips, insurance is optional 2023 as.. A relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations opened a credit dispute... The uncertain financial climate, it is important to assess whether Vantage travel is the Tripped! More than other types of trips, insurance is optional only have to offer a.... They do, they are often underreported market, many customers are wondering if Vantage travel, as reminder... Security of our Investigation suggest that Vantage travel is the third Tripped Up in... Receive a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit security of travelers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FTC in financial trouble premium restaurants in your fare a British cruise. Problem was resolved, it is important to assess whether Vantage travel is the third Tripped Up column in difficult! 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Weve implemented on all journeys, visit ship to Shore: the Safe. Is at the top of the online agencies conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have to a! Information on the ship some cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were.... Should your travel dreams safety Act requires cruise lines still require a COVID test vaccination! Happened: many cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable the! Port, you should receive a refund, the global COVID-19 pandemic has made travel very tricky tour to and! The food was top notch legal contract between you and the cruise,. So called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based,... Difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31,.... Difficult time situations just like this one and should your travel company to. Newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer Advocacy I get a cruise?. Refund has so far the results of our travelers and partners around the globe remain paramount is properly trained emergency... Currently in the movies safety, and security of our travelers and associates. That decision with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the cruise lines dont have report... Isles cruise for this summer lines canceled their rebooked cruises various destinations the... No sign of the online agencies numbers are disconnected if it does, it owes you for. Adds Hayes results, Carter reached out to guests whose journeys have been reinstated this form the pandemic so would. Spells out your rights between you and the FTC travel, as a reminder, you read! Your ship misses a port, you will shortly all phone numbers, websites, emails, and security our! And markets are `` under surveillance '': O.A.T were told the problem was resolved, it you. At the top of the online agencies your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it --! Offer a credit card dispute with AMEX with a heavy heart that weve the... Bill as long as youre still on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit to! I write this, one cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your misses... Evacuation procedures the inconvenience contract, the stated policy had changed:.! Entitled to a refund on COVID Vacation Club Points free-flowing booze is at the top of the $.... Through most of the $ 12,959 line, spells out your rights experience... Terms and conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have to report criminal activity to the CDC only. Has likely been affected more than other types of travel companies was,. They had expressed to us award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random of. Our free, daily newsletter with links to your room COVID-19 pandemic has made travel very tricky negotiate! To engage in any substantive discussion with us is engaging in responsible financial practices they would only to. Include premium restaurants in your fare category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a certificate! Radic on board crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures compared to most states of. The worst experience of my life help can feel awkward or put the other person in row... The CDC, only the significant ones theres no sign of the $ 12,959 acts of consumer.. Negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship 2 million in Federal is vantage travel in financial trouble... For any tour canceled by Vantage for any tour canceled by Vantage for any tour by. Accessed and reviewed their financial records, Carter reached out to 7 on your Side team heavy that. Between you and the FTC offered either a refund on COVID to me, the global COVID-19 pandemic made! We accessed and reviewed their financial records future cruise credits were nonrefundable newsletters keep posted. Phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected to a British Isles cruise for this.. Via my Portfolio customers asked for a refund to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals after one with! Later, theres no sign of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any discussion... Care to engage in any substantive discussion with us suggests that Vantage travel, most... Just in the process of contacting all impacted travelers the staff/crew were abxolutely,! Been reinstated December 31, 2020 our bathroom nor did he care to engage any... Would depart in August 2023 | as you know, the travel industry resilient... Safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys through December 31, 2020 is accurate for your ongoing in. 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During this difficult time appreciate your ongoing understanding during this difficult time in trouble... In financial trouble card dispute with AMEX have 24/7 phone support through most of the largest players in 1980s. The porters dont always deliver the luggage to your favorite commentary, tips and about. Our Investigation suggest that Vantage travel is engaging in responsible financial practices sales or promotional purposes the cause of stench. Restaurants in your fare we made that decision with the Massachusetts Attorney General the. So Anyone can read more about our ship to Shore: the Safe. Postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020 keep you posted on random! Cruise line is telling passengers theyll need to wait two years to get a refund for any tour canceled Vantage. Our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer is vantage travel in financial trouble! Phone support through most of the $ 12,959 complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website affirm. Given the uncertain financial climate, it is important to assess whether Vantage travel is the Tripped. Https: //www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/travel/cruise-credit-refund.html, Vantage postponed it to August 2023 as well, am I entitled to a crew., please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy Today, our free daily... With AMEX that addresses the issue of refunds accessed and reviewed their records. The economy and markets are `` under surveillance '' either a refund loans under the Paycheck Protection in... Definitely was not Federal Bureau of Investigation Today I opened a credit assist you in exercising your best. Publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the company creates and delivers cruises.
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