When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. 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. After feedback from our travelers and additional conversations with our vendors, coupled with the encouraging progress on global vaccinations, weve decided to reinstate a few previously postponed departures. Vaccination & testing requirements for ALL 2021 Vantage journeys including small ship cruises, river cruises, and land adventures, Specific entry requirements for your chosen destination. Five weeks before that one was to depart, Vantage postponed it to August 2023 as well. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. Both Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise. Its an online travel agency. They were satisfied customers, until something went wrong. We are currently reaching out to guests whose journeys have been reinstated. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. One passenger required a trip to the hospital and one of the crew members also became ill which accounts for 12% of their crew. Why? Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. 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. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. How does he get a Vantage refund? Vantage is stonewalling. For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. In our 36 years as a deluxe travel company, weve planned every journey around memorable destinations and experiences with your health, safety, and security as a priority. Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel. 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. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Anyone have experiences with Vantage, good or bad? But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. We highly recommend them. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. There should be no list because that money was specifically for my Aunt ******** estate not for Vantage Travel to pay someone else. But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? 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. Your email address will not be published. Our analysis showed that while the company has seen a decrease in revenue due to the pandemic, they are still in a relatively stable position. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to trippedup@nytimes.com. From the customer interviews, its clear that there is some uncertainty surrounding Vantage Travels financial situation. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. Lack of savings. 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? Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Here are some of the risks. Always check before booking.). Why? We are a deluxe travel company trying to navigate a world in which we cannot travel right now. Right now, our Customer Service Concierge is experiencing a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! 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. Pros & Cons. 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. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. 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. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. 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. 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. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. As the safety of our travelers is our number one priority, weve considered both traveler feedback and government advice while updating our Health and Safety protocols. 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. Here at Vantage, we wanted you to know that the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe continue to be our first priority. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. 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. Thank you for your interest in Vantage Deluxe World Travel. 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 Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. Bear with us as we work nonstop through a large volume of communications. 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. Customer satisfaction results from much more than just a friendly face or smile. This happened in February and my aunt is always calling to check on. These vessels traverse large rivers like the Danube, Mississippi or Seine. Need for financial independence. There are many other health perils at sea. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. There are mice in my vacation rental! These layers of protection are just a few of the steps we are taking to ensure your safety when youre ready to explore the world with us. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. The health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe remain paramount. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. Dear Traveler, As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. 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. 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. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. (Mr. Anolik has a detailed breakdown of other state-by-state travel laws on his firms website. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? WebBased on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Vantage Travel. Would you like a FREE color catalog? 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. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. trips and has been pressuring the company to comply with the states travel-seller laws. We had several couples on our tour who had previously traveled with Vantage and had good experiences. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? Bad 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. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. that are a good company relatively higher end. Three others who reached out to 7 On Your Side have also received refunds totaling $41,500. Youre out of luck. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. WebThe travel insurance sold through Vantage will only provide a 1 year voucher, no monetary refund for a trip canceled by Vantage. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-92629525', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cruise Director that we could expect the country to be closed down, as the Germans take this time to be with family and friends and consider it a religious week. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. If, for example, youre taking your extended family on an anniversary cruise, youll probably want to find a cruise specialist with experience dealing with large groups. 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. Please review our FAQ here. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a cruise line. Login. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! The travel industry is primarily a customer service industry. 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. Is my warranty dead, too? While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. Another category of complaints: People who assume they can cruise with just a birth certificate. The economy and markets are "under surveillance". Consumers with outstanding concerns are still encouraged to file a complaint for BBB records but may also wish to contact legal counsel or contact Attorney General's Office. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. You should read it before you leave. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. Would have included airfare ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking passengers with interests. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents have to stay in touch with office. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams glad you opened a complaint solely to you..., where they must fend for themselves complaints: people who is vantage travel in financial trouble they can cruise just. 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