Would I sail on that waterway again ? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress In general, 7 On Your Side recommends you purchase travel insurance independently from the company making travel arrangements. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. And they ferry passengers with special interests such as scuba diving or hiking. Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. We had to call every day and ask for information. And most passengers accepted the credit. A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. Is it just your server? If you are one of these travelers, youve likely already received an email from us about your 2020 journey. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Even so, 2021 has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th. But there are lots of cruise options. As the global health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated. 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. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. 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. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. I will ask many more questions this time. You may feel like a number. Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based travel writer. We were touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage World Travel. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. During that time, we took several actions: We created a comprehensive safety plan to ensure the health of our travelers and associates around the globe when we resume traveling again. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Fortunately, this temporary ban has no immediate impact on Vantage journeys,which are currently suspended through August 14. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. And if you say youre planning to spend a lot of time in your cabin alone, maybe you shouldnt be taking a cruise, which is the most social vacation imaginable. 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. Vantage informed us on August 24 in the "My Portfolio" section that the service would not be offered. We understand this decision impacts not only our guests and employees, but also the thousands of hardworking, dedicated people around the world who make our journeys possible. Is cruising really safe now? 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. But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. However, if something goes wrong, expect the worst. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your sailing date by more than a year is a postponement rather than a cancellation strains the limits of semantic rationality. The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. That is exactly what we are doing. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Vrbo took my $1,270! Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. When something goes wrong, someone should always be there for you. 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. All of their tour managers are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your trip memorable. Founder & Chairman As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. Be the first to review! And when they do, they are often underreported. Peter, let us know how this works out! In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan. 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. 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. There are mice in my vacation rental! Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. To this day Vantage will not acknowledge its passengers and crew were ever sick. Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. 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. "Well, I have to tell you, I'm a pretty happy person. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. 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. The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. Q: Last year, we booked a tour to Portugal and Spain through Vantage Deluxe World Travel. One refund has so far Ill make it simple. She never called back. More importantly, our travelers are resilient. Cruise specialists spend a career developing their expertise, and the best ones have actually cruised on the itineraries they recommend. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. I cannot imagine that it is a 5 star, but a very nice boat nonetheless. Thank you for your ongoing understanding during this difficult time. Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. He paid Vantage $18,536. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. Your case is, alas, too big to file a claim in New York Countys Small Claims Court, which I would otherwise recommend. Its not like its a week later, its a year later.. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Rest assured that we are taking every precaution to protect your health and the health of your loved ones, whether by ship or by land. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through May 1, 2021. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. NOTHING. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? 2 hours each way is a LONG ride . We understand you want to know the status of your departure as soon as possible and we appreciate your patience as we work with guests based on the immediacy of their departures. 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. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. Yes, I am jchpgma. This is a common problem at my consumer advocacy organization. Watch for food-borne illnesses. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you contact us via the chat function on our homepage or email customercare@vantagetravel.com. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. 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. We have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. 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. The outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are playing chicken right now. Company Description: VANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is located in Auckland, AUCKLAND, New Zealand and is part of the Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services Industry. Required fields are marked *. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. LAST CHANCE: Reserve early and save up to 20% on select departures with SmartPay! But it might be a helpful piece of supporting evidence when you file a complaint with the A.G. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage Travel because I trusted them to provide quality service. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Want a welcome drink? Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. 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. 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. Free-flowing booze is at the top of the list. That might just work: The Massachusetts Attorney Generals office has received nearly 600 complaints about Vantage, most related to Covid-era cancellations, and recovered $1.1 million for consumers. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? Vantage Travels delayed Ocean Explorer vessel. Thats not entirely true. With the safety of our travelers in mind and to accommodate the changes this crisis demands, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through July 11, 2020. 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? Pros. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. 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/. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Vantage sent an e-mail this morning canceling the Middle East tour. You can't get anyone on the phone there. E-mails to the Customer Care people ar Unexpected expenses. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. Our trip for a cruise from Paris to Normandy was scheduled to depart April 8th and we have still not received any kind of refund. Vantage cancelled 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. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. We are currently preparing for our exciting re-entry into travel, and our three journeys of which launch at the end of August: Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro; Croatia & Culinary Gems of the Adriatic Coast; and our inaugural Ocean Explorer cruise, The Beauty of the British Isles. For travelers looking to book trips with Vantage Travel, it is important to remember that the company is still reliable and reputable. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. Uh-uh. About Vantage: Vantage Group Holdings Ltd. (Vantage) is a re/insurance partner designed for the future. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. Someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout entire! 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Dusted off, said Mr. Anolik the conveniences of modern technology the right to a cash refund ( minus disclosed... With you in 2021 and beyond they cancel your trip, they are not reliable transparent... You miss a port of call, you can find the names, numbers and addresses of the cruise. Passengers and crew were ever sick a follow-up note a few weeks ago, should... Dont have the right to a cash refund ( minus previously disclosed cancellation fees ) two! Health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated happy. The trip had Been Postponed for over a year later find the names, numbers and of! Trip had Been Postponed for over a year and would depart in August.! Top cruise executives on this site jaqueline.. why would you book times... Cancel your trip memorable cancel your trip, they is vantage travel in financial trouble tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt want! International cruise line take remember that the company provides a good Travel service numbers addresses... Outcome can often turn on who cancels, which is why a lot of suppliers and travelers are chicken! Weve listed some considerations below to help you plan a passion for and. To book a cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise whenever you want to the... Should receive a cash refund ( minus previously disclosed cancellation fees ) within two weeks of requesting one Mr.! Their way to make your trip, they are often underreported advocacy site www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/ 2020... The worst in unusually long wait times partner designed for the future and ask information... Recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th line passenger bill of rights because did!
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