By far the most common problem my advocates and I hear about is an onboard health emergency. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Would I sail on that waterway again ? Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. (She is currently the senior cruise writer for The Points Guy. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. The right to have available, on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters, full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shoreside medical care becomes available. LAST CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20% on select departures with SmartPay! Its a drastic change in the sale dates. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. 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. 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. A porter will deliver it to your room. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. So when the new cruise was also, er, adjourned for a later date, it might argue that any refund should come in credits as well. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Simply sign into your account. 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. That is a good start, but he refused to provide us with his phone number, and would not call us on the phone number that we provided to him. Vaccination & testing requirements for ALL 2021 Vantage journeys including small ship cruises, river cruises, and land adventures, Specific entry requirements for your chosen destination. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. 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"). So should you take a cruise this year? that are a good company relatively higher end. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. 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. So the refund process slowed down considerably. Now, as we adapt to our new and temporary way of living, weve made vital adjustments in our global operations to further protect you throughout your journey. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. They are engaging in responsible financial practices and investing in new technologies to improve the customer experience. WebWorking with Vantage Travel is the worst experience of my life. Dont let this be you. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? (Its all taken care of.) Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. | We both agree, though, that this may not do much good. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? The dinners were only average at best. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. Youll need to consider all of these dangers before you plan your cruise. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. Gloria, did you read the other thread? File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX. Thats not entirely true. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones we will get through this together. 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. So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? So it is left to me to try to divine the companys thinking and come up with alternative ideas for you. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. 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. RELATED: Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. 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. 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. I apologize for the inconvenience. She never called back. Silver linings are more important than ever right now, and here are a few: I apologize for the inconvenience this mightve caused. Each time the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own. You should read it before you leave. Your email address will not be published. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. While on board I sent three emails directly to Henry Lewis the CEO of Vantage, Nancy Resendes the VP Contact Center, and Tomi Radic the Europe and Mediterranean regional expert for Vantage. Were always here to help. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. But there is one advantage of taking a sanctioned tour: If its late returning to port, the cruise line will usually cover your expenses for getting back to the ship. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. Here are a few. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. (Note: Some cruise lines still require a COVID test and vaccination certificates; others dont. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. 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 think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? 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. A human travel agent who can take the time to sit down with you and talk about your cruise options is a tried-and-true way to buy a cruise. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? But whats this $452 bill? A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. Always check before booking.). As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. Here are some of the risks. Bad credit. About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. But that takes time. How do you start a home health care agency: A Strong Business Plan for You, Complain About a Care Home in Wales: Step-by-Step Guide, Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. And each time we re-booked the trip with the promise that this time it would go forward. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. 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. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? 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. Click the link above to find out more. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! "I've always been so crazy impressed with what you guys and Michael Finney and ABC (7) on Your Side has been able to do for folks over the years. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. 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. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. 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. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? My aunt *************** is the other **-executor. Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? It explores customer perspectives and (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) 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. 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The customer experience is left to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T Report... Time we re-booked the trip with the wrong visa or an expired passport devoutly religious family ending up on cruise! 'M a pretty happy person to postpone a journey for violations of planet! Us the trip was canceled we have had to discover it on our own email to travel @..

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