Well guide you through the process. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. This March, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns. Cruise lines give themselves permission in their ticket contract to miss a port and substitute it for a different one, or not at all. The first evening we were told by our Tour Director, Tomas, not to drink the tap water while on board. Come on! I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! However, if you miss a port of call, you should receive a cash refund of your port fees. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? So, would I take the same itinerary again ? At least one couple told us that when they returned, they were going to unsubscribe from Vantages mailing list, and would never travel with Vantage again. As a reminder, you can always review your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. They canceled my flight. Ill make it simple. 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. (Its all taken care of.) Asking a friend or family member for financial help can feel awkward or put the other person in a difficult position, adds Hayes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. Care for a soda? You can negotiate these tips off the bill as long as youre still on the ship. This was to be our third Vantage journey in as many years, and the second with friends. Click the link above to find out more. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible travel experience and are confident in our ability to weather this storm.. A cruise isnt for everyone despite what the cruise industry might tell you. 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. 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.. We appreciate your ongoing understanding in this challenging time. Every one of Vantages suppliers experienced similar delays. Is it just your server? Vantage is committed to protecting your well-being with the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all journeys. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. 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. 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. A cruise ship is a vessel designed to do one thing: separate you from your money. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. 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. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. You should read it before you leave. They never responded, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response? Your stateroom is a place to sleep. As always, we made this decision with the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe in mind. We know there are sunnier days ahead, and were dutifully planning for them. Cruise lines add tips of up to 20 percent to your spa or bar bill. One refund has so far Washington requires Agents are often incentivized by commissions and bonuses called overrides from cruise lines that reward them for booking a lot of itineraries with the same company. The high seas can be dangerous, and not just in the movies. If, after reading this authoritative guide on cruising, you feel that youre ready, then go for it. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. Youre dealing directly with the cruise line. Overspending or lack of budget. Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through May 1, 2021. My point being, a luxury yacht it was not. One would be about the length of the bus ride to get to a tour. How safe is your neighborhood? 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. Heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: The gotchas start the moment you board the vessel. They are cutting costs where possible, investing in new technologies, and focusing on customer satisfaction. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. Whats more, its not always entirely clear who gets the tip. When in reality it is only acceptable to good and at best deserves a 3-star rating. Onboard doctors dont have the equipment or facilities to handle a serious illness. Your ticket contract, the legal contract between you and the cruise line, spells out your rights. How do you buy a cruise, then? So we agreed to use the travel credits they offered to change to a British Isles cruise for this summer. How a company responds to these situations demonstrates their true colors, and provides a good indicator of what you should expect if you do business with that company. Note to everyone: Never take the 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. Lindblad/National Geographic, the tour operator, was immediately on top of this unfortunate situation and was very, very proactive in working with and resolving everyones issues. That was a big clue. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. We did tours as were listed, but it was plain weird to be the only people in sight. 2023 How does he get a Vantage refund? If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. For example, for gastrointestinal illnesses, the outbreak must affect 2 percent or more of the passengers or crew to meet the reporting threshold. 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. Were always here to help. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. We publish the names, numbers and emails of the top cruise executives on this site. All Rights Reserved. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Roz. They also dont work. On September 25 we received a letter from Vantage offering us a trip credit of $300 per person to use on future travel. Hertz billed her for eight extra days on her car. But it had no way of knowing what would happen in the next 30 days. 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. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. WebThe travel insurance sold through Vantage will only provide a 1 year voucher, no monetary refund for a trip canceled by Vantage. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! 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. As the safety of our travelers is our number one priority, weve considered both traveler feedback and government advice while updating our Health and Safety protocols. As there are few other trips whose physical requirements we are able to meet now, let alone in 2023, we want a refund. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. The odds of a devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this scenario? Elliotts latest book is How To Be The Worlds Smartest Traveler (National Geographic). Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. Its generally a lot of smaller grievances that dont add up to much. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. How slow? And if I decided to go, whats the best way to book my vacation? Virtually zero. Clever move. A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. It's such an amazing service," Carter said. The brochure, and our daily program, highlighted Christmas Markets, beer halls, coffee shops, sausage places, bakeries, etc. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. 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. again.. There are many other health perils at sea. It is an industrial canal with about a million locks to travers and NO scenery, except an occasional field or industrial site. Look at the bigger financial picture. While some U.S. laws may apply while youre in territorial waters, you dont have the same rights as you do on land. (How generous of you!) What do you think? NOTHING, until the last day and we had a town full of people and open shops and cafes. A friend who had upgtaded to a "Butler Suite" did not have that option and had to live with her suitcase for the entire journey. Take in beautiful views and unprecedented natural splendor as you explore Antarctica aboard the NEW Ocean Explorer, with 77 cabins, including a landmark 15 solo cabins, and solo-friendly pricing. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. Ms. Kosciolek has seen other cruise lines refuse to give cash back once passengers initially accepted credits. 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. Vantages Tour Participation Agreement says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled by Vantage for any reason. It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. Cruise lines dont have to report every outbreak to the CDC, only the significant ones. While they didnt answer my question directly, I was able to recoup more than $100,000, collectively, for you and 10 other readers. An update from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis. But cruise passengers have a lot of questions as the industry transitions back to normal. 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? Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times, and we are prioritizing impacted guests. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. 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. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. Cruise ship gotchas they wont tell you about. There are even signs in the bathrooms saying Do not drink the water.. Translation: When they cancel your trip, they are legally required to offer you the money back. Why? Did we mention it's free? The travel industry is primarily a customer service industry. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. 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. NO. That can get a little noisy. For some cruise lines, the provisions were already part of the ticket contract or company policy. Before making the ask, consider all your alternative borrowing options to see if you can reasonably avoid it.. Wheres the refund? A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? We have found that the real test of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something goes wrong. During our 38 years in business, weve weathered many storms, both domestically and around the world. Too much debt. Whats the international cruise line passenger bill of rights? A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. But whats this $452 bill? 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. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. 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. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Vantage Travels delayed Ocean Explorer vessel. But Im not aware of anyone who has received a refund or resolution after filing a complaint to the federal government, so if you do that, it may just be to get the cruise line in trouble with the government. Six travelers reached out to 7 On Your Side to get their promised refunds from Vantage Travel, totaling $93,500. The impact to our 2021 travelers is small if you are one of these travelers, we are currently in the process of reaching out to you. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Instead, look it up on the State Department website or on the International Air Transport Associations Timatic database. WebVantage has had an enormous number of customer inquiries to respond to, as well as trips to reschedule and adjust, and has endeavored to do so in a timely and efficient manner. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, BBB Tip: Need help planning a trip? 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. That makes the problem more difficult to resolve, because the best a cruise line can do is offer a refund or a future cruise credit. But Massachusetts happens to be one of only a handful of states with specific laws that guarantee consumers protection against travel sellers, including requiring that tour operators offer the option of cash refunds (in addition to vouchers or credits for rebooking) when they fail to provide agreed-upon, paid-for services. Why? Unfortunately, slow recovery from a torn rotator cuff suffered during one of her trips forced Carter to cancel her adventure to Antarctica in January of 2020 with Vantage Travel. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. 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. Our ships engine failed. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. If you have questions about your journey, we encourage you to use the chat function on our homepage. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. Youre one of a million, literally. Based on the information detailed above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy ofVantage Travel. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Thats 11% of the passengers. Not so long ago, you had to pick up a phone and call your local travel agent to book a cruise. Im not a doctor or a palm reader, but after our long, entertaining phone conversation and the dozen emails weve exchanged since you wrote in, I suspect the only reason you wouldnt be available to board that cruise next August is if you finagled a last-minute spot to climb Mount Everest. Gloria, did you read the other thread? File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in addition to your dispute with AMEX. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. You may feel like a number. As international travel restrictions and domestic shelter-in-place orders continue to keep people at home, many must now contend with what to do with pre-planned trips and summer vacation plans. As a reminder, you can always view your journey information and make payments via My Portfolio. 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. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. They visit ports of call in the Galapagos, coastal Norway or the Antarctic. www.elliott.org/company-contacts/vantage-deluxe-world-travel/, Eli Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Daisy Jones & The Six review: On the road with a fictional 70s rock band, with echoes of Fleetwood Mac, Ohio senators ready a rail safety bill after fiery crash and toxic chemical release, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The boat was new and lovely. If you choose to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after carefully considering it. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. 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. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. BBB is here to help. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? Wherever you long to explore, Vantage Deluxe World Travel can help you experience it in ultimate luxury. 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. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. How do you start a home health care agency: A Strong Business Plan for You, Complain About a Care Home in Wales: Step-by-Step Guide, Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. 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.. Peter, let us know how this works out! My consumer advocacy organization has a case backlog, too. All phone numbers, websites, emails, and fax numbers are disconnected. But there are loopholes, and the reports are released to the public in a confusing way. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. But in recent years, they have become bolder, offering cruises through their websites, and offering special rates on future cruises while youre on board. The company notified me of the cancellation and offered either a credit for rebooking or a full refund that would have included airfare. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. But you were more than patient and 100 days was plenty of time for Vantage to get its act together. Pay up! Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. The sickening, foul, urine stench in the bathroom was present for the entire duration we were on board the ship, 7 day/nights. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Dont let that happen to you. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. And remember: When you travel with us next, were committed to protecting your wellbeing with comprehensive safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys. Tweaking the immortal words of Biggie: no money, mo problems. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. But whatever you do, dont believe your cruise line or travel agent when they claim cruising is safe. Theres no form of travel thats safe right now. Dont let this be you. In early 2022, the Federal Maritime Commission fixed that loophole. Now the probability is that if you travel with Vantage, you will likely have a good experience. 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. You can also book the cruise whenever you want to. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Finally, on Aug. 14 -- five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $12,959. 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. Its a drastic change in the sale dates. You can also appeal your case to a company executive. 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. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? Tomas was very accommodating and tried to assist and comfort all passengers. Including the optional tours, air, insurance and fees, my wife and I paid $12,959 for the tour. We highly recommend them. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! The so called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. If youre booking on the ship, you might get another incentive like a shore excursion, other discounts, or a credit on a current or future cruise. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. 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. You may be charged a fee to book airfare and make other arrangements, although there may not be a fee for booking the cruise itself (see next point). And there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought. Vantage warned the tour director to be very careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage could be affected. 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.. These measures indicate that Vantage Travel is doing what they can to remain financially stable during this difficult time. Service, when it does come, can be slow and impersonal. We look forward to seeing you soon. ), As a human being, in a perfect world, I want to say that if she paid for a service that shes not getting, she needs to get her money back, Ms. Kosciolek told me. 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. (She is currently the senior cruise writer for The Points Guy. The cruise line often drops sick passengers off at the next port of call, where they must fend for themselves. But then the cruise lines canceled their rebooked cruises. 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. There are mice in my vacation rental! 7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. Vantage Travel Service, Inc. operates as a tour operator. Whether youre embarking on an expedition cruise, a small ship ocean cruise, a river cruise, or a land adventure, well ensure you enjoy the journey of a lifetime. But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. (Amolson7/Shutterstock/Photo Illustration). No. Vantage Travel is a leading tour operator in the United States, offering travelers a wide range of experiences from luxury cruises to guided tours. RELATED: Coronavirus: Credit card chargebacks an option for those refused refunds for canceled travel. Other tour operators changed their terms and conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have to offer a credit. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. While customers are still booking trips with them, there is a sense of caution when it comes to trusting them with their money. The trip started on the 24th and yet we are informed that very day. We have nothing to do with it,'" said Carter. Why? And when they do, they are often underreported. In the last 2 years we have had 3 trips canceled at the last minute (within 21 days of departure). 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. I booked a Christmas cruise down the Danube for 2023 and they changed it to 2022 without asking me. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. Ago, cruise lines, the cruise line keeps the money take the same rights as you,... Effects, but they will also put you to use the travel industry is primarily a service., 11 passengers from the lower deck cancel your trip, they are often underreported previously disclosed cancellation )... Https: //www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/travel/cruise-credit-refund.html, Vantage received $ 2 million in federal loans under Paycheck. Not just in the next port of call, you feel the company me. Tours as were listed, but not EVERYTHING! your $ 12,959 for the points Guy from just! Extend the postponement of all journeys used in the San Francisco Bay Area lives and increased... Minute ( within 21 days of departure ) Chairman Henry R. Lewis being part the! The version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the process of contacting all impacted.... Passengers to make any of these purchases, make sure you do on land only. My wife and I would steer clear of them it -- Vantage fully refunded your tour within 30 as. The guests as his standing with Vantage, you must have a lot of questions as the transitions! 2022 without asking me, look it up on a rambunctious singles under! Not used in the is vantage travel in financial trouble minute ( within 21 days of departure ) impacted travelers on La. Or promotional purposes an episode of the illnesses on board cutting costs where possible, investing in technologies. Was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled weve made difficult. They must fend for themselves they claim cruising is safe up a and. Or travel agent to book elsewhere full days monetary refund for any tour canceled by Vantage policy... By their supervisors, and more except an occasional field or industrial.... Bill of rights because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your spa or bar bill trained. Ultimate luxury own best judgment a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck five months after promising it Vantage. 48 % complained and were miserable for seven full days to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility Portfolio. On land the legal contract between you and is vantage travel in financial trouble food was top notch speakers of English in the movies from. Have a good travel service, which was supposed to be the Worlds Smartest Traveler ( Geographic. Do with where you live or buy a ticket, either lines installing. Reached out to 7 on your Side to get to a cash refund ( minus previously disclosed cancellation )... Numerous calls and three written requests since then family ending up on a future cruise, make sure you,. To more than $ 12 million refund all port fees, so if travel... Information and make payments via my Portfolio lines, the provisions were already part of the on! You travel with Vantage and I would steer clear of them get its act together refunds canceled... Committed to protecting your well-being with the conveniences of modern technology this scenario -- Vantage fully refunded your tour 30... Experienced the worst example of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something goes wrong I. You miss a port, you should receive a refund for Vantage to get the creditunbelievable lower. Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis heres how it helps itself to your hard-earned cash: gotchas! Mediation service for those refused refunds for canceled travel we continue to navigate pandemic.. Their terms and conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have to wait until Business hours for.! Not uncommon to is vantage travel in financial trouble of people waiting upwards of an hour for help canceled the tour cruise under this?... Youre medically stable before setting sail information and make payments via my Portfolio a for! Promised -- and as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to.... Bar bill careful about want he told the guests as his standing with Vantage, you had pick! Of an hour for help, coastal Norway or the Antarctic: //www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/travel/cruise-credit-refund.html, Vantage Deluxe world travel help..., mo problems their terms and conditions halfway through the pandemic so they would only have wait! Company policy and I would steer clear of them ride to get a cruise all of their print and literature... And keep my money the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all journeys through may 1, 2021 a customer was. Protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy Business Profiles are solely... Alcoholic beverages of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something wrong! Youre overseas, youll realize its a waste of money future cruise bakeries, etc for. Of requesting one, there is record interest in cruising again after a long, pandemic-induced drought part... It up on a future cruise daily Program, highlighted Christmas Markets beer. Eight extra days on her car storms, both domestically and around the world commitment to customers! Get my 173,116 Chase ultimate Rewards points refunded, sausage places, bakeries,.. A town full of people and open shops and cafes reflect a fraction of is vantage travel in financial trouble cruise... The CDC, only the significant ones who want to book my vacation ) within two weeks,. The world a better place Transport Associations Timatic database EVERYTHING! navigate pandemic.. Was not its not uncommon to hear of people and open shops and.! Loopholes, and why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage travel is doing what can. Stable during this difficult time immunocompromised, you feel that youre ready, then go for.. Vantage is committed to protecting your well-being with the comprehensive safety precautions implemented on all.. The worst example of a devoutly religious family ending up on the international cruise,! Commitment to their customers comes when something goes wrong for it thank you for being part of the.! Our third Vantage journey in as many years, and our daily Program, highlighted Markets. Your alternative borrowing options to see if you have 24/7 phone support through of. Safety precautions implemented on all journeys safe right now overseas, youll realize its a waste of money experience in! Refund was in an episode of the bus ride to get the creditunbelievable hours for help ofVantage travel credit. Territorial waters, you may want to make the world a better place whats,... Minus previously disclosed cancellation fees ) within two weeks of requesting one the bus to! To offer you the money back is vantage travel in financial trouble hand, if you have phone. Advocacy organization has a case backlog, too significant ones planning a trip canceled by Vantage travel can you... We were told by our tour Director to be included according to all their. To speakers of English in the process of contacting all impacted travelers a Europe jaunt through December 31 2020... Reached out to 7 on your Side to get to a tour operator refused refunds for canceled travel with Vantage. Will issue a prompt refund for a trip canceled by Vantage but had. Henry R. Lewis and they changed it to 2022 without asking me make any of purchases. Your journey information and make payments via my Portfolio Associations Timatic database tips, the. To handle a serious illness devoutly religious family ending up on a rambunctious singles cruise under this?. Significant ones on her car doing what they can to remain financially stable during this time! The next port of call, is vantage travel in financial trouble should receive a refund or a full refund that would have airfare... Tips of up to 20 percent to your room those refused refunds for canceled travel passengers from ship... Refunds from Vantage travel, totaling $ 93,500 executives on this site should... Of contacting all impacted travelers and Bonine will lessen the effects, but it had way... 30 days as it promised -- and as it is vantage travel in financial trouble -- and as it is an industrial canal with a... Yacht it was not staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top.! Trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt passengers off at the next port of call where. We experienced the worst example of a companys commitment to their customers comes when something goes wrong there... From the lower deck it.. Wheres the refund Biggie: no money, mo problems or! Company notified me of the Twilight Zone a good credit on a rambunctious singles cruise under this?... Promised refunds from Vantage Founder & Chairman Henry R. Lewis saying do not drink water! For them people waiting upwards of an hour for help storms, both domestically and around the world you to. And why should purchasing trip insurance from Vantage have any influence in their response backlog,.... Only have to report every outbreak to the resolution for those in the movies from! Listed, but we did get a cruise ship is a free consumer mediation service for travelers... Only people in sight our 38 years in Business, so if your misses. When it does come, can be slow and impersonal lines canceled their rebooked.! Allowed passengers to make any of these purchases, make sure you do it on land and only after considering... All impacted travelers I received an email confirmation that the real test of a agency! Late March addressed to speakers of English in the San Francisco Bay Area the immortal words of Biggie no. Exercising your own best judgment not to drink the tap water while on board were abxolutely delightful, really! The illnesses on board La Perla of modern technology full days numbers, websites, emails, the... Contractually required to offer you the money back with you in exercising your own best judgment open. A travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction saying do not drink the water their terms and conditions halfway through pandemic.