Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? Washington requires 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? 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. However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Gloria, did you read the other thread? File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. O.A.T. Peter, let us know how this works out! Its gonna cost you. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! Vantage Deluxe World travel = No Customer Service. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your Then they applied the rules retroactively. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Care for a soda? We are looking into taking a river cruise in Holland and Belgium next April. As of 4/1/2022, BBB has exhausted all forms of contact to the business. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure. How are they allowed to keep my money? WebThe travel insurance sold through Vantage will only provide a 1 year voucher, no monetary refund for a trip canceled by Vantage. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. 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. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Need for financial independence. Simply sign into your account. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. 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. 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. That was a big clue. For more information on the safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys, visit Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. NOTHING. Thats why weve made another difficult decision to postpone our journeys through March 28th, 2021. Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel. Washington requires travel companies to issue cash refunds within 14 days (or 30 days when the funds are already paid to a vendor, as might be the case for a tour operator) when they cancel a service. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. Tomi informed the lower deck passengers that the cause of their stench was known at the end of the previous (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. One refund has so far Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. All phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected. There would be no more Christmas Markets. Click the link above to find out more. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. 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. Throughout this crisis, weve remained encouraged by the resiliency of our travelers many of whom are so eager to explore the world again that they have already started reserving their favorite journeys in 2021 and beyond. After a series of high-profile customer service incidents in 2012 and 2013, the cruise industry adopted a voluntary bill of rights for its passengers, to clearly communicate to them their rights regarding comfort and care in a number of important areas. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Bad service. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures. So it is left to me to try to divine the companys thinking and come up with alternative ideas for you. There are many other health perils at sea. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. No longer. Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. Your email address will not be published. Whether its an optional shore excursion or an onboard auction, the cruise line wants more of your money than you spent on the cruise fare. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. Most medical care on cruise ships is adequate. 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. Is it just your server? It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. 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. It was restaurant service all the way. 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. You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Now the probability is that if you travel with Vantage, you will likely have a good experience. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or check My Portfolio for travel alerts or to make a payment.. ), Back to O. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Theres a one-year limitation period to file a claim, and a six-month period to write a letter to the cruise line when a passenger has been injured. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. Thank you for your ongoing understanding during this difficult time. Lunch in one of our specialty restaurants? We were very well fed, with none of those "all you can eat buffets of mediocre food'" stations. We are a deluxe travel company trying to navigate a world in which we cannot travel right now. Vrbo took my $1,270! For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. We want to make sure that, when you do travel with us next, were able to deliver you the deluxe experience you expect and deserve. Now it wont refund my $3,606. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. 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. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. 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. In our 36 years, weve prided ourselves on delivering outstanding and unforgettable journeys to our travelers. 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. One would be about the length of the bus ride to get to a tour. According to its current policy, updated in October 2021, Vantage reserves the right to cancel a cruise or change the date or time of sailing or arrival and then to either substitute another cruise or provide a full refund of the fare actually paid by you for such cruise., In a maddening bit of irony, in the same policy document, Vantage notes that if passengers substitute one product for another, they are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.. 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. 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. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. Clever move. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. We will give them one more try. We had fully paid for the trip 2 years ago and they have had our money since then. 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. Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Vantages CEO e-mailed us saying, Lets talk. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Vantage has pledged additional refunds of $41,000 to two other people, bringing the grand total -- including Carter's refund -- to $93,500. Henry R. Lewis Limited Money Management Skills Is A Cause Of Financial Problems There are a host of reasons why most people have limited money management skills and knowledge . When in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. Want a welcome drink? It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. My travel companion and I booked a river cruise and tour to Portugal and Spain for this past July with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! How slow? 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. 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. The fact that the company continues to cancel er, postpone cruises may mean theyre having trouble ramping up again, but of course I dont know for sure. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. This March, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns. Youre out of luck. We continue navigating this crisis with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe always in mind. The cabin is for sleeping. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Did we mention it's free? Travel RelaxedTravel SecureWhen you have Travel Insured. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. The trip started on the 24th and yet we are informed that very day. Our help is free. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? Wheres the refund? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. What if you miss your deadline? Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. ?was that problem worse than ours? We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. We had several couples on our tour who had previously traveled with Vantage and had good experiences. But not for cruises. The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. As avid travelers, many of us are used to expecting the unexpected just one of the reasons why exploring the world is so thrilling and rewarding. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. Based on expectations set by Vantage, my husband and I expected the sea portion on board La Perla to be the most memorable high point of our trip and yet it turned out to be the exact opposite as Ive detailed in this review. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? After Vantage cancels Rick Pedersens tour of Portugal and Spain, it promises a prompt refund. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Including the optional tours, air, insurance and fees, my wife and I paid $12,959 for the tour. Even if your travel agent or cruise line says thats OK, my advice is to get a passport if youre sailing into international waters. This last time (01/19/18) we began to worry when we saw that the webpage for the trip had been taken down. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. Not a week goes by that my advocates dont receive a case from someone who didnt have enough travel insurance and faced a large bill at the end of a cruise. You raise an important point. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Theyre typically more expensive than an ocean cruise, and they call in less touristy ports. I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack with all of your essential medications and at least one change of clothes. 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. 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. You may feel like a number. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. (Podcast). (She is currently the senior cruise writer for The Points Guy. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. They say we are stuck with the credits in my case worth nearly $20,000. Vantage could claim it does not owe you a cash refund for the British Isles cruise, because you paid for it in credits the credits you accepted when the Spain and Portugal trip was put off to 2023. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. Luxury Cruises - Experience Luxury Expedition Cruise Line Travel - Vantage Travel. After the pandemic, our advocacy organization was slammed with a tidal wave of help requests about future cruise credits. If the agency is a member of a larger group, like AAA, youll get deals no one else has, and they may be unbeatable. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. (How generous of you!) 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. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. Company Description: VANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED is located in Auckland, AUCKLAND, New Zealand and is part of the Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services Industry. We receive many requests for help from foreign nationals with residency permits. The so called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled. 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. With vaccinations now underway, theres much to be optimistic about however, the travel industry is still feeling ripple effects from Covid-19. No, no, no. It doesnt have to. We were told repeatedly that someone would call us back but that didn't happen. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. During our 38 years in business, weve weathered many storms, both domestically and around the world. Yes, I am jchpgma. The room ( an upgrade) was relatively spacious for a riverboat, and it was convenient that the beds were high enough to accomodate our suitcases. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). The porters removed his bag and he never saw it again. 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. We have not had any reports of passengers with COVID being forcibly removed from a ship recently. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. 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. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. Now, with the European Unions new travel restrictions barring entrance for American travelers, were updating you once more. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. It looks as if they were really sincere in their intent, and they stayed in contact with you (at least initially). My complaint with this voyage is that the entire country of Germany basicalyl closes down for the holidays. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . Would I sail on that waterway again ? If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. And cruise lines dont like to do that. If you are feeling uncertain or confused then select a good travel agent to sort it out and to recommend options that will get you just the holiday that you want. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. Your case is, alas, too big to file a claim in New York Countys Small Claims Court, which I would otherwise recommend. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. Please make no mistake the travel industry will bounce back, as it has numerous times before. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. So, would I take the same itinerary again ? 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. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization and in partnership with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, River Advice the leading independent global manager of ships on inland waterways as well as local governments, weve implemented Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative.
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