We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. What are my rights as a cruise passenger? After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. Did we mention it's free? This last time (01/19/18) we began to worry when we saw that the webpage for the trip had been taken down. 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. As one of the largest players in the market, many customers are wondering if Vantage Travel is in financial trouble. 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. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. The very first day we arrived on board, August 25, we reported to our Tour Director, Tomas Bukovsek, a sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom of our upper deck cabin #7. Been around for a long time. 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. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. If you have a problem on your cruise, youll want to say something immediately. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Always check before booking.). Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. 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. Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. (Podcast). Lack of savings. That is exactly what we are doing. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. Anyone can read what you share. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. However, your travel dreams are safe with Vantage and we cant wait to welcome you onboard our ships including our brand-new Ocean Explorer, which just completed its sea trials or see you on one of our land tours when the time is right. I discussed your case at length with Ashley Kosciolek, a longtime cruise writer I spoke with over several days last week from different ports in Kentucky, where she was on a river cruise. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Yes, I am jchpgma. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. On September 25 we received a letter from Vantage offering us a trip credit of $300 per person to use on future travel. 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. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. Bad service. Don't call us anymore. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. 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 shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. 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. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. 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. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. But not for cruises. Youre out of luck. Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. No longer. 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 realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. The sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom was present for the entire duration we were on board the ship, 7 day/nights. The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. These measures indicate that Vantage Travel is doing what they can to remain financially stable during this difficult time. I tried to reach Vantage and by that I mean I sent emails to the C.E.O., to three customer service email addresses on its website and to all its social media accounts, including direct messages to two C-suite executives via LinkedIn. ?was that problem worse than ours? You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. There are new cruise lines, new ships, and new routes this year. No, no, no. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. Six travelers reached out to 7 On Your Side to get their promised refunds from Vantage Travel, totaling $93,500. I turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise comes Ill be one month short of 94 if Im still here. Peter, let us know how this works out! Its gonna cost you. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? I would say it is a gamble. 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. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. Is cruising really safe now? The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. "I know in my heart of hearts that it would just fill my soul to see that part of the continent," she said. Your travel agent may offer you a spacious cabin with a balcony, or even a suite. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. When in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. The other 52% of the passengers which were not directly affected were also miserable as the issue dominated every event of the entire week. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Just fill out our catalog request form. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. That was when I began to think, "uh oh." Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. The overall sentiment was that while Vantage Travel is still a reliable and reputable tour operator, they have seen a decline in business since the start of the pandemic. You can read more about ourShip to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiativehere. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. As a reminder, you can always view your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Cruise lines dont include premium restaurants in your fare. 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. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. "They said, 'Oh, Vantage took this over in, I don't know, October or November. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times, and we are prioritizing impacted guests. How do you buy a cruise, then? 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