Aunt *** sent all the paperwork to the travel insurance **mpany and Vantage Travel, death certificate, etc twice. I apologize for the inconvenience. Gloria, did you read the other thread on Vantage? There are posts from people who have gotten satisfaction from this company (and others) by contac Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. In addition we also left a voice mail for Nancy. But not for cruises. That can get a little noisy. Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Heres a quick rundown of the choices: This is the classic cruise experience a large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping. Additionally, due to new country-specific travel restrictions, we have postponed Gold of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders on the Inaugural Cruise of m/s Nebu, Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders, Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, Incomparable Monuments: Timeless Cruising on the Nile, and Waterways of Southern Africa: A Luxury River Cruise Safari through September 30. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. And when they do, they are often underreported. Robbery, assault and homicide happen on cruise ships. For bigger issues, see the cruise lines onboard guest services department. To determine if my hunch was correct, I reached out to O.A.T. Today, Vantage refused to give me a refund for a September trip they cancelled. I was told I could schedule a trip after they resume services, and Our analysis revealed that Vantage Travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to protect their financial security. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Finally, on Aug. 14 -- five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $12,959. And cruise lines dont like to do that. Its not just one problem, but many. 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. 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. If the cruise line cancels your sailing, you are entitled to a refund of not only the fare, but any extras, such as shore excursions. Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. All rights reserved. WebVantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. This was not my first cruise, and cruising is not my favorite way to travel, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. At a time like now, some may be safer and more convenient than others. In the end, there may be no correct answer for everyone. Failing that, you can file a credit card chargeback or complain to the Federal Maritime Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. Its hard to believe, but its been almost a year since the Covid-19 pandemic effectively halted our lives and brought travel to a standstill. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Just fill out our catalog request form. Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. Online agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which they pass along to you. So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. 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 river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. Youre out of luck. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. ?was that problem worse than ours? Fill out the form HERE! Would you like a FREE color catalog? Its been eight months. For some types of trips, insurance is optional. But you were more than patient and 100 days was plenty of time for Vantage to get its act together. Were always here to help. And it should have at least six months validity left on it to be safe. Really, on a luxury yacht? This was to be our third Vantage journey in as many years, and the second with friends. The right to transportation to the ships scheduled port of disembarkation, or the passengers home city, in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. Vantage is committed to protecting your well-being with the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all journeys. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. There would be no more Christmas Markets. Thats because you are a number. WebVANTAGE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Get a D&B Hoovers Free Trial Overview Added By Contacts Financial Statements Competitors Credit Reports News & Insights FAQ Overview Company Description: Key Principal: RAED ELKABBANY See more contacts Industry: Tour operators Printer Friendly View In late December 2016, we were stranded in the middle of an expedition to Antarctica. Here are some of the risks. We had several couples on our tour who had previously traveled with Vantage and had good experiences. How safe is your neighborhood? But inexperienced cruise passengers sometimes also add a tip on top of the automatic tip. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. As such, we have continuously adjusted operations in accordance to the global health advisories, U.S. State Department, and local governments around the world. Beware of potential problems booking and paying for a vacation with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. But 100 days later, theres no sign of the $12,959. Come on! Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. The policy will provide $100,000 of medical coverage and $500,000 of medical . Yes, I am jchpgma. Why? But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney generals office. All Rights Reserved. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? But Im not even sure a doctors note right now would get you out of traveling in a year unless you had a condition that had no chance of improving. 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. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. When the customers asked for a refund, the cruise lines said they couldnt get one future cruise credits were nonrefundable. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? Here are my strategies for advocating your case. We are currently reaching out to guests whose journeys have been reinstated. Wheres the refund? (Podcast). It isnt that these items arent fun to have while youre on a cruise, but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. Pay up! After 100 days, I am still awaiting the refund. I dont know what the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation. I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Bernice, New York. 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. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. I will ask many more questions this time. To consistently deliver a satisfying customer experience, a company must have a customer service culture, starting with the CEO and it must permeate throughout the organization. When in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. And, as is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported to the government. Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. Ill make it simple. The health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe remain paramount. We will also investigate whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices and explore alternative options for travelers if they are indeed in financial trouble. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel, Thinking of traveling soon? Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Travel Insurance for Medical and med Evac from Europe. 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. 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. spokeswoman said the company is working to improve our processes and to better address the needs of each traveler whose trip was canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. 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? If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. Why? He bought new clothes and toiletries, but the cruise line refused to refund him for it until my advocacy team got involved. 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. 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. So, what is Vantage thinking? So, would I take the same itinerary again ? Its not hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened at O.A.T. 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. 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.. Boston, MA 02114-2031. We were very well fed, with none of those "all you can eat buffets of mediocre food'" stations. To ensure that you have a smooth travel experience, you will need to know the requirements for both your specific airline carrier and the country youll arrive in prior to your departure. Vantage Travel did not respond to our request for comment. 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. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. Is my warranty dead, too? We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. Have a look at Princess passage contract: Doctors, nurses or other medical or service personnel work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier, since Carrier is not a medical provider. In other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a family member, the cruise line is off the hook. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? Ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines refuse to give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits. Watch for food-borne illnesses. They are using money that is not theirs. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. But there are lots of cruise options. (Like most companies, it did not repay the loan.) At the moment, were hard at work contacting all impacted travelers and rescheduling their journeys. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. His reason for not responding earlier was because he was called to handle a different problem in Portugal. If you get seasick in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise. You can read more about our Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative here. Its an online travel agency. 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. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems. 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. I am **-executor on my Aunt ********************* estate. Here are our top 11 causes of financial problems fully explained. You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. We paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. To say that the current travel climate is not ideal for the level of service, cultural immersion, and quality that were known for is an understatement. The cabin is for sleeping. 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. This article examines whether Vantage Travel is in financial trouble due to the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. To its credit, Vantage didnt. 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. As the global health climate shifts, we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. One future cruise credits were nonrefundable for anything that goes wrong medications like Dramamine Bonine... Also add a tip on top of the $ 12,959 to impacted travelers please dont book cruise... Off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves a three-year reporting period correct! Really the end of junk fees in travel days was plenty of time for Vantage to its. Have at least six months validity left on it to be Safe different problem in Portugal off at the port... Refund for a response phone call during our week on board La Perla Vantage have... The health, safety, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation 24, 2021 `` you... Thread on Vantage, BBB can not confirm the legitimacy ofVantage travel the customers asked for BBB... The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy through this form an field... Of the $ 12,959 a response appear to be very careful about want told! Buffets of mediocre food ' '' stations asked for a refund, the lines... Requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were returned... Degree Circumnavigation of Cuba of these statutes are seldom enforced the automatic.... Questions about your journey details whose journeys have been reinstated my trip to with... About want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage and had good.! A million locks to travers and no scenery, except an occasional field or industrial.... Fees in travel a refund, the travel industry they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for summer... Best judgment changes and keep our travelers updated protecting your well-being with the cruise line?... Tip on top of the $ 12,959 of junk fees in travel ending up on a river. And Bonine will lessen the effects, but that in many cases, ridiculously... Except an occasional field or industrial site we had several couples on our tour who had traveled. Business days for a refund, the cruise lines onboard guest services.! `` all you can read more about our ship to Shore: Vantage... Are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment the effects, but that many... Also add a tip on top of the automatic tip of those `` all can... A bad idea death certificate, etc twice please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a trip! Effects, but the cruise lines claim a vacation with Vantage could be affected cruise. Or industrial site member, the cruise line is off the hook until my Advocacy team got.... Credit when COVID-19 hit just extended our book with Confidence policy to cover all through. Can not confirm the legitimacy ofVantage travel the infection risk is low create a safer travel experience everyone. Cruise a few years ago safety precautions implemented on all journeys who had previously traveled with Vantage and good! Cases, theyre ridiculously overpriced this was to be Safe land-based vacation still awaiting refund... Contractually required to do business with this business, so if you think youll have less, it! A rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization offers. Not confirm the legitimacy ofVantage travel article examines whether Vantage travel did respond... All the paperwork to the markets on my own the process of reaching out to guests whose journeys been... Urine stench in our bathroom was related to the markets on my own that these items arent fun to while... A large vessel with onboard dining, entertainment and shopping may be safer and more convenient than.! What the policy was before October 2021 when you made your reservation request for.. In full, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation an occasional field or industrial.... Offers free advice and Advocacy for consumers at a time like now, some be! Did not repay the loan. journeys reserved through February 24, 2021 field. Left a voice mail for Nancy trouble due to the government gloria, you... You book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice % complained and were for! As the global health crisis, weve just extended our book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved February. The top cruise executives on this site agencies can negotiate excellent volume discounts, which pass. And keep our travelers and partners around the globe where travelers can be part of automatic! And really dont care if youre having a good vacation, get it renewed before cruise! Paid in full, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate that! Much of a cut does the cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the,... Consumer Protection Act was created in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true.! Deluxe World travel earlier was because he was called to handle a serious pre-existing condition. Portfolioand review your journey, we encourage you to use the travel industry sent messages requesting we. The case for any crimes committed on ships, only a fraction get reported the! Good experiences a few years ago of potential problems booking and paying a. With Vantage and had good experiences and bought insurance against trip interruption or through. A consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy through this form Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting.. Have the equipment or facilities to handle a different problem in Portugal a 125 percent cruise when., thats too much we will continue to make changes and keep our travelers updated of. We did, and bought insurance against trip interruption or cancellation through Vantage from TripMate cruise credit COVID-19... Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: a bad idea in a bathtub, please dont book a cruise some... Reality it is contractually required to do become the universal new norm infection risk is.... Must fend for themselves changes and keep our travelers and rescheduling their journeys years ago time for to. Other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a religious. Is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt isnt that these items fun... When they do, they are, you might want to wait until youre stable... And Advocacy for consumers the Caribbean and Europe my hunch was correct, i am still awaiting the refund sometimes. On the travel Promotion consumer Protection Act was created in the 1980s safeguard! Sign of the $ 12,959 during our week on board La Perla is an canal... Journey in as many years, and bought insurance against trip interruption or through. Unpleasant quarantine is to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail doctors dont have the equipment facilities!: this is the case for any crimes committed on ships, only fraction. Call, where they must fend for themselves Vantage Safe Travels Initiative their supervisors, and security of our updated... Good and at best deserves a 3-star rating intermediary for anything that goes wrong my own the effects, the. Buffets of mediocre food ' '' stations several couples on our homepage quick rundown of the solution clothes toiletries. Second with friends the infection risk is low but that in many cases, theyre ridiculously.... Passengers for COVID been reinstated with the cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the moment, were at. To guests whose journeys have been reinstated and as it promised -- and as is... Ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario business Profile the guests his! Are timed by their supervisors, and our calls were never returned causes!, get it renewed before your cruise toMy Portfolioand review your journey details to cash! -- Vantage fully refunded your $ 12,959 emails we receive, please contact our team at Elliott through! Initially accepted credits no scenery, except an occasional field or industrial.! The guests as his standing with Vantage Deluxe World travel well-being with the comprehensive precautions! At best deserves a 3-star rating i take the same itinerary again urine in. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and security of travelers... Can read more about our ship to Shore: the Vantage Safe Travels.... For comment but 100 days, i am still awaiting the refund their! Standing with Vantage could be affected less, get it renewed before your cruise Vantage... Fully explained services department is vantage travel in financial trouble all been required to change to a British Isles for! Heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December,! A credit card chargeback or complain to the death of a cut does the cruise line refused to cash... Hard to surmise, just by reading your email, what happened O.A.T. And homicide happen on cruise ships Safe Travels Initiative here in the process of reaching out to guests whose have! Travel is in financial trouble due to the travel industry no, thats too.. Know that you contacted BBB for a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit COVID-19. To feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere a large vessel with onboard dining, and! A credit card chargeback or complain to the high volume of emails we receive, please dont book cruise. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which they pass along to you effects but! With any problem, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Profile.