is vantage travel in financial trouble
Silver linings are more important than ever right now, and here are a few: I apologize for the inconvenience this mightve caused. Tip: Avoid virus season (usually late winter and early spring). TripAdvisor, ConsumerAffairs and other review sites show lingering frustrations about the companys coronavirus policies, but several Times readers, according to emails Ive received, have made headway by filing parallel complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. 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. 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. Cruise lines claim a vacation at sea is safer than any land-based vacation. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. Some will pan their China trip, others will rave about a Europe jaunt. Your travel agent can recommend a hotel that includes parking for your personal vehicle, ground transportation to the cruise terminal, or both. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting upwards of an hour for help. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. We are currently in the process of reaching out to impacted travelers. 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. Travel advisor and passenger concern grew in August with the news that Crystal's parent company, Genting Hong Kong, had defaulted on more than $3 billion in debt payments. The worst fee Ive seen is for the end cut of a roast served at dinner. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. Our Customer Service Concierge is currently experiencing a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. 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.. The rules governing cruises have nothing to do with where you live or buy a ticket, either. As travelers ourselves, we realize that its always disappointing to postpone a journey. As 2021 nears, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of travel. Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? They canceled my flight. But whats this $452 bill? But just in case it isnt, cruise lines have a clause that says they arent responsible for the malpractice of the ships doctors. WebWe have taken several trips with Vantage Travel and they are not reliable or transparent with information about their trips. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. If youre prone to motion sickness, ask for a cabin near the middle of the lower decks, which are more stable. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. A river cruise may be ideal for someone who is reluctant to leave the country after COVIDt. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. RELATED: Thinking of traveling soon? I know many of you are ready to get back out there and continue your explorations. WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Ill make it simple. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. The staff/crew were abxolutely delightful, and the food was top notch. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. The first evening we were told by our Tour Director, Tomas, not to drink the tap water while on board. Most customers, like us, rebooked the same tour at a later date. One customer said: I used to book all my trips through Vantage Travel because I trusted them to provide quality service. Also, weve just extended our Book with Confidence policy to cover all journeys reserved through February 24, 2021. Todays travel websites try to combine the best aspects of a full-service agency with the conveniences of modern technology. If you think youll have less, get it renewed before your cruise. Don't call us anymore. You will soon receive an exciting email from Vantage Travel. If you leave the country, you must have a passport. 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. Cruise lines are sometimes creative with their offers. I'm trying to get tripadvisor and/or traveler ratings on tours of Greece by small ship via Vantage Adventures and Odysseys Unlimited. A human travel agent who can take the time to sit down with you and talk about your cruise options is a tried-and-true way to buy a cruise. Click the link above to find out more. Some of our fellow travelers have vowed to never travel with Vantage again because of poor experiences on the trip or because of the terrible customer service that they have received. Youre out of luck. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. 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. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. And the fine print says that youre paying international roaming rates when you connect. About Vantage: Vantage Group Holdings Ltd. (Vantage) is a re/insurance partner designed for the future. Vantage is stonewalling. again.. Thank you again for your ongoing loyalty to Vantage. While the pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, Vantage Travel is taking the necessary steps to ensure their long-term survival. Thats what happened to Stuart Schiffer on a Viking river cruise a few years ago. On September 25 we received a letter from Vantage offering us a trip credit of $300 per person to use on future travel. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. A few years ago, cruise lines began installing advanced roaming networks that allowed passengers to make phone calls from the ship. And when they do, they are often underreported. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Ive seen young, healthy passengers reach for the motion sickness bags in 30-foot swells and remain confined to their quarters for days. Passengers sometimes arrive at the cruise terminal with the wrong visa or an expired passport. They read scripts, are timed by their supervisors, and really dont care if youre having a good vacation. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. Anyone can read what you share. "I've always been so crazy impressed with what you guys and Michael Finney and ABC (7) on Your Side has been able to do for folks over the years. My aunt *************** is the other **-executor. The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. Learn the word no, and use it often. More importantly, our travelers are resilient. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? The insurance company blamed the delay in getting a refund on COVID. We recently traveled with Vantage and I would steer clear of them. Always check before booking.). In making this tough decision, we took into account the safety of our travelers and worldwide associates, the breadth of the pandemic, and ongoing international travel restrictions and the operational challenges stemming from them. All of their tour managers are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your trip memorable. I told them that I had a medical condition and did not know when or if I would be able to travel, and asked whether they were just going to keep my $17,500 if I couldnt travel by the end of 2021. WebLack of income/job loss. This March, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns. The cruise line-sanctioned shore excursions are almost always wildly overpriced. Get travel insurance. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. Well guide you through the process. Vantage River Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises. 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. Great! I'm glad you opened a complaint with the Attorney General. Let us know how things work out! A friend of mine got a refund in 4 days from Gat Tip: Avoid a cabin near an elevator or nightclub. 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. 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. Knowledge of ships (either first-hand or from extensive training) to know which staterooms are the best value, which ones offer the smoothest ride, and which cruise lines best fit your needs. Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. 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. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. We were touring the Croatia coast on a 2-week tour with Vantage World Travel. "They said, 'Oh, Vantage took this over in, I don't know, October or November. No. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? NO. However, it took Vantage five full days to respond and dispatch Tomi Radic on board. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. 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. Vrbo took my $1,270! 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. So, what is Vantage thinking? Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. Once you disembark, the cruise line keeps the money. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. 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. Again, these offers come by way of the relationships cruise agents have through their company or by being friends with their regional sales representative. (How generous of you!) Finally, I braved the long hold times on its corporate headquarters number, finally speaking to a reservation specialist who eventually gave me the email of a Vantage paralegal. Your ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. 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. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. 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is vantage travel in financial trouble