Get travel insurance. Is it just your server? A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Washington requires Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. Vantage Travel Service serves customers worldwide. Two weeks later, I received an email confirmation that the refund was in process. I have made numerous calls and three written requests since then. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. However, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks and to make sure you are adequately protected in case Vantage Travel does run into financial trouble. Learn the word no, and use it often. Your email address will not be published. There are a variety of ocean cruises, from budget to luxury. However, if something goes wrong, expect the worst. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. And most passengers accepted the credit. Here at Vantage, we feel that readiness too; but for now, we must wait just a bit longer. Please make no mistake the travel industry will bounce back, as it has numerous times before. Now I know how and what to ask. Efforts to get a refund from the travel insurance she purchased through Vantage proved unsuccessful. It explores customer perspectives and Its a high-pressure sales pitch on the high seas. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. But which one is right for you? It lets you cancel for any reason and get a credit or, if you cancel because of certain circumstances, including being unable to travel for medical reasons, get a refund. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. 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. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. No. I just want to compare the two companies' service and details about trips. Thats not entirely true. Most complaints fall into one of these categories: A missed port. 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. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. Most importantly, make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuations (if you have any doubts, get a membership in Medjet). We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible travel experience and are confident in our ability to weather this storm.. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. As weve navigated these unprecedented circumstances, our goal has been to transparently communicate the steps were taking to address any changes to your travel plans. The pandemic exposed one of the most absurd aspects of cruising. All phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected. Our ships engine failed. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. Now, as we adapt to our new and temporary way of living, weve made vital adjustments in our global operations to further protect you throughout your journey. Weve received numerous complaints from readers who purchased overpriced jewelry or art on their cruises. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. 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. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. 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 Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. They also Thank you for your interest in Vantage Deluxe World Travel. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. 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. 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.. But it had no way of knowing what would happen Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. Always check before booking.). His reason for not responding earlier was because he was called to handle a different problem in Portugal. Look at the bigger financial picture. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. Is cruising really safe now? Did we mention it's free? Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? A porter will deliver it to your room. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. All of these trips were to Cuba - 360 degree Circumnavigation of Cuba. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. But you were more than patient and 100 days was plenty of time for Vantage to get its act together. Answer: Yes. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. Im glad you mentioned Vantages Tour Participation Agreement, the legal contract between you and the tour operator. 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. complain to the Federal Maritime Commission, HERE'S WHAT ID IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXT CRUISE, HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE, How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, Help! 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. We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. Here's what the end of COVID -19 emergency means in San Francisco, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Recent grads not 'emotionally' ready for workforce, study shows. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! No, no, no. Still, Ms. Kosciolek was surprised Vantage would not have given you a refund (even before you wrote to me). Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. You may feel like a number. Have a question for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team? It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. Well guide you through the process. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Travel agents can make 10 percent or more in commissions and overrides from your cruise. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? When in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. WebThe 2021-built MS Ocean Explorer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line - subsidiary and brand owned by the Boston-based company Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name "Vantage Deluxe World Travel"). Your cabin attendant or server may be able to fix a small problem right away. Its gonna cost you. Youre on vacation. Travelers routinely returned home to phone bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. I turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise comes Ill be one month short of 94 if Im still here. 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. Just fill out our catalog request form. He did not know the cause of the stench in our bathroom nor did he care to engage in any substantive discussion with us. Simply sign into your account. You can find a cheaper private tour through a company like Viator. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. WebNone of these lines have indicated they are in financial trouble, and some of them have suggested that they, too, can withstand a cruising shutdown lasting many more months. As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Why? Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. It was their problem. 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. I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. The dinners were only average at best. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to travel@nytimes.com. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. But the worlds recovery from COVID-19 will still take time, and the ability to travel freely across borders is months away. Its extra. 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