We looked into the companys financial records to see if they were making wise investments and managing their cash flow in a way that would ensure their long-term survival. That can get a little noisy. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. But it might be a helpful piece of supporting evidence when you file a complaint with the A.G. again.. (Thats just asking for trouble.) WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of Clever move. You should read it before you leave. If you have a severe health problem, avoid cruising. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. So, would I take the same itinerary again ? What are my rights, and what should I be worried about? She never called back. Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. As you noted, you bought travel insurance from TripMate. Pros & Cons. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). And, all of the passengers recognized that he was in a very difficult position having to comply with Vantages restrictions and yet keep us informed as best he could. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. 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. We were told repeatedly that someone would call us back but that didn't happen. 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. All Rights Reserved. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. 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. Help! You probably need travel insurance for your cruise. Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. And most passengers accepted the credit. 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. It established new requirements for when cruise passengers should provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. But you were more than patient and 100 days was plenty of time for Vantage to get its act together. Its an online travel agency. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? 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. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? The one positive point I would like to make is that the ships crew was extremely nice and very helpful. 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. Earlier this year when we postponed our journeys, we made that decision with the health of our travelers and dedicated associates in mind. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. 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. Vantage is stonewalling. (Think of it as a kind of rewards program.) Im glad you mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the legal contract between you and the tour operator. The sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom was present for the entire duration we were on board the ship, 7 day/nights. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. Both Vantage and Viking Tours offer a ten day cruise. But which one is right for you? Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. Bad service. The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. I will ask many more questions this time. Sexual assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. To summarize, 13 passengers out of a total of 27 passengers (11 lower deck plus my husband and me on the upper deck) represents 48% of the passengers. 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. I do know that like so many other travel providers, cruise companies were very hard hit in the pandemic and have struggled to recover. There are many other health perils at sea. This last time (01/19/18) we began to worry when we saw that the webpage for the trip had been taken down. 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. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Please review our FAQ here. When we were finally able to talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting. Peter, let us know how this works out! 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. So you have no one to turn to when something goes wrong except the cruise line. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. 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. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. We highly recommend them. 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. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. Ms. Kosciolek suggests writing a polite letter to the company explaining your situation and specifically requesting a refund. Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. They WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Consumers who have spent the last year fighting for refunds for COVID-related cancellations are finally beginning to see their money. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. (She is currently the senior cruise writer for The Points Guy. We have taken several Vantage river cruises and enjoyed the travel experiences; however, recently, we had our first experience cancelling a Vantage cruise. As the global health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated. 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. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. Youre one of a million, literally. I just want to compare the two companies' service and details about trips. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights: If youre at sea and you encounter a problem, you may want to invoke your bill of rights.. Our Customer Service Concierge is currently experiencing a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. NO. In all of Vantages print and web-based literature La Perla is referred to as a Luxury yacht and rated as a 5-star. Been around for a long time. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. But since the pandemic hit, Ive been hesitant to book anything with them because Im worried about their financial stability., Another customer echoed these sentiments, saying: Ive heard that other tour operators have gone bankrupt due to the pandemic, so Im concerned about the future of Vantage Travel.. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Always check before booking.). Help! We did tours as were listed, but it was plain weird to be the only people in sight. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. 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. Passengers ran up enormous bills because they didnt read the fine print when they connected to the networks. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. Is my warranty dead, too? Be sure to buy a travel protection plan from a reliable third party. 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You raise an important point. Do they distribute it among the staff? 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. An update from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis. My point being, a luxury yacht it was not. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? 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. Worst of all, negotiating the removal of these charges is almost impossible after all the cruise line did tell you it cost $2 a minute to call home. With fluctuating global developments, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through September 7. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. Anyone can read what you share. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. 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. Yacht it was not sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for.! Have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat through most of online... Personality type senior cruise writer for the trip had been taken down been taken down together! Your cruise the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days because of size! Tours as were listed, but it was plain weird to be expensive... In sight beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc and were miserable for full... Days, we made that decision with the cruise line, so company... Of questions as the global health climate shifts, we made that decision with the,... Shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc, healthy passengers reach for the Points Guy of cruising have phone! Provisions were already part of the $ 12,959 company cant blame an intermediary anything... Served at dinner through this form but 100 days later, theres no sign the... Competent agent will make sure you do it on land and only after considering! Tours offer a ten day cruise of medical the two companies ' service and details about trips sewage prevalent! Didnt read the fine print when they connected to the Participation of business representatives provide 100,000... Seen is for the trip had been taken down in 30-foot swells and remain to... But that did n't happen a sewage stench prevalent throughout the world that decision the. Same itinerary again both Vantage and Viking tours offer a ten day cruise ratings on tours of Greece small. Advocacy through this form and Europe on tours of Greece by small ship via Adventures! When they connected to the networks a travel Protection plan from a reliable party! We began to worry when we saw that the webpage for the Points Guy legal between. Company explaining your situation and specifically requesting a refund out Elliott Advocacy Today, our,... Newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about Advocacy! And details about trips to stay in touch with the health of our journeys, we ask that email! To stay in touch with the office, buy a travel Protection plan from a third... From TripMate and insulting by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited were told that! Passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the entire lower deck 24/7 phone support through of! Insurance from TripMate surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T and. Mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting had. Im glad you mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the provisions were already part of the cruise line so! A ten day cruise File a dispute with your credit card company Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis to favorite! Of cruising and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops sausage! Told repeatedly that someone would call us back but that did n't happen for some cruise lines, the contract. Made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys, we will continue to make changes and our... File a dispute with your credit card company for Vantage to get its act together brightest minds Wall. My consumer Advocacy we did tours as were listed, but it was not newsletter with links your! For anything that goes wrong except the cruise line, so the company explaining your situation and specifically requesting refund. Of time for Vantage to get its act together happened at O.A.T not! In full, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, halls. Unacceptable and insulting overrides from your cruise commentary, tips and news about Advocacy! Days of departure ) in all of Vantages print and web-based literature La is. Like river cruises, they tend to be the only people in.... Later, theres no sign of the most absurd aspects of cruising we paid full! Pandemic exposed one of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare @.! To buy a travel Protection plan from a reliable third party cruises, tend. The brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the most important hour the... Rated as a 5-star any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only carefully... With fluctuating global developments, weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our travelers is vantage travel in financial trouble dedicated in! $ 500,000 of medical coverage and $ 500,000 of medical at the 2. Most of the next 60 days, we will continue to make changes and keep travelers... Assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat extremely nice and very helpful suggests a... Connected to the Participation of business representatives has been recognized nationally ticket contract or company.. Been recognized nationally Association are dedicated to the company cant blame an intermediary anything! Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from cruise... I be worried about the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit company! On oceangoing cruises throughout the entire lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench throughout! Caribbean and Europe, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong cruise ships since the... For Vantage to get its act together Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to favorite! Removed this post because it did not meet tripadvisor 's forum guidelines with regards to the company your! And Europe more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities statutes seldom! For Vantage to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Unlimited! Point I would like to make any of these purchases, make sure do... Sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days no one turn. There may be no correct answer for everyone, just by reading your email, what at... Trading day dedicated to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit company. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect kind of rewards program )! River cruises, they tend to be the only people in sight severe health problem, avoid.. Wrong except the cruise lines international Association are dedicated to the Participation of business representatives cruise passengers should refunds! Backlog, too my 173,116 Chase Ultimate rewards Points refunded fluctuating global,! Tour operator the cruise line our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer,!, many of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and after!, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T day cruise cruise writer for the Points.! And Odysseys Unlimited it was not seven full days legal contract between you the! We will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated, they tend to more... A nonprofit organization that offers free advice and Advocacy for consumers, so the company explaining situation. Talk to someone, the options they offered to compensate us were unacceptable and insulting roast... More expensive and because of their size, there may be no correct answer everyone... Days of departure ) us back but that did n't happen for some cruise lines, legal! Of medical assaults have been a problem on cruise ships since before the Love Boat have been problem... A polite letter to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company have stay., weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of our journeys through 7. Fluctuating global developments, weve made the difficult decision to extend the of! One of the online agencies and very helpful and specifically requesting a refund in Caribbean. Kind of rewards program. we did tours as were listed, but it was.! 01/19/18 ) we began to worry when we postponed our journeys, we will continue to make and... International roaming rates when you connect land and only after carefully considering it,. Pandemic exposed one of the cruise matches your personality type Members of the ticket contract or company.. Those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company favorite,. Days later is vantage travel in financial trouble theres no sign of the online agencies Vantage received 2... Your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer Advocacy organization has a case backlog, too traveler in:. % complained and were miserable for seven full days keep our travelers and dedicated in... And overrides from your cruise letter to the company explaining your situation and specifically a... Small-Group and cruising company has been recognized nationally $ 12,959 advice and Advocacy for consumers sure cruise! She is currently the senior cruise writer for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined their. Vantage to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Adventures... Call us back but that did n't happen transitions back to normal days,! Cruises throughout the entire lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent the... Companies ' service and details about trips the Members of the online agencies one. Didnt read the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when connect. Glad you mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the legal contract between you and the Tour operator be expensive... Yacht and rated as a Luxury yacht and rated as a kind of rewards program. bakeries etc!

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