I tried to reach Vantage and by that I mean I sent emails to the C.E.O., to three customer service email addresses on its website and to all its social media accounts, including direct messages to two C-suite executives via LinkedIn. When youre on vacation, its easy to let down your guard and fall for a sales pitch for an original sculpture, diamond ring or timeshare. If my cruise is canceled, am I entitled to a refund? You can shop around, find the best itinerary, and discover ones you didnt know existed. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? : the realization that issuing refunds en masse would bleed the company dry. The fix: Turn off your cell phone or set it to airplane mode. Solo senior traveler in Kathmandu: A bad idea? I apologize for the inconvenience. Don't call us anymore. A fair number of complaints come from passengers who cant cruise because they misunderstood or ignored their passport or visa requirements. In late August, 2017, we experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction. Henry R. Lewis I advise focusing on a bigger problem and letting the smaller things go. Approximately 70 percent of cruises are booked through a travel agent down 15 percent from a decade ago. Wheres the refund? I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. 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. The cruise line wont let them board the ship. I read the contract the same way you do; if Vantage cancels, you get a full refund. A few practical tips from a consumer advocate. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. Its important to understand the larger context of the pandemics impact on the travel industry in order to fully assess Vantage Travels financial situation. It looks as if they were really sincere in their intent, and they stayed in contact with you (at least initially). How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? In our 36 years as a deluxe travel company, weve planned every journey around memorable destinations and experiences with your health, safety, and security as a priority. He paid Vantage $18,536. Virtually zero. So why am I writing about a case that resolved almost five months ago? But it had no way of knowing what would happen in the next 30 days. Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. As you noted, you bought travel insurance from TripMate. After more than 12 months, there are new signs of hope. They say we are stuck with the credits in my case worth nearly $20,000. Better late than never. In addition, 11 passengers from the lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench prevalent throughout the entire lower deck. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. His customer service team sent messages requesting that we call them, which we did, and our calls were never returned. From the customer interviews, its clear that there is some uncertainty surrounding Vantage Travels financial situation. We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible travel experience and are confident in our ability to weather this storm.. 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. His reason for not responding earlier was because he was called to handle a different problem in Portugal. Is Vantage Travel In Financial Trouble? While we are unable to travel right now, the travel industry is resilient. If you prefer a smaller ship and dont like waves, a river cruise might be right for you. Thats 11% of the passengers. 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. In order to gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we accessed and reviewed their financial records. But in my experience, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file a complaint. Therefore we must spend money in order to get the creditunbelievable! 2 hours each way is a LONG ride . If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Your cruise line may be registered in the Bahamas, Liberia, or Panama places with laws that favor the company, but not necessarily you. Its not like its a week later, its a year later.. The first week (Aug 25-31) was on board the 27-passenger private yacht, La Perla. 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. If you cancel first you don't have many options. If they cancel, they absolutely should refund your money. 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 booked a Christmas cruise down the Danube for 2023 and they changed it to 2022 without asking me. That means cruise lines appear to be less dangerous than they are. 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.. 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. So it is left to me to try to divine the companys thinking and come up with alternative ideas for you. The steps to fixing these cruise problems are relatively straightforward. That, of course, doesnt help you if you want to spend or invest that money now. 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. Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Travel RelaxedTravel SecureWhen you have Travel Insured. Please provide this promotion code to your Vantage call center agent. Rick Pedersen, Fulshear, Texas. Watch for food-borne illnesses. Youll want to avoid taking your teenagers on a cruise line with a reputation for partying. 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. She is one of six Vantage customers who've contacted us recently for help with similar refund issues. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Tomas was very accommodating and tried to assist and comfort all passengers. If you havent heard from us yet, you will shortly. @jaqueline..Why would you book 3 times with a company that cancelled twice? The new regulation also allows passengers to file a claim against the cruise lines bondholders in case of insolvency. again.. And remember: When you travel with us next, were committed to protecting your wellbeing with comprehensive safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys. Ship to Shore: The Vantage Safe Travels Initiative. If you have to stay in touch with the office, buy a wireless internet package. | Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Unexpected expenses. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. 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 Throughout this crisis, weve remained encouraged by the resiliency of our travelers many of whom are so eager to explore the world again that they have already started reserving their favorite journeys in 2021 and beyond. 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. At the moment, were hard at work contacting all impacted travelers and rescheduling their journeys. The aggressive onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready. Been around for a long time. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc. 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. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. 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. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Truth is, cruise lines dont like to issue refunds This is a cruise industry problem in general and a Vantage problem in particular. Vrbo took my $1,270! Bad credit. Bad service. Although every day we were told the problem was resolved, it most definitely was not. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. To get a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial situation, we interviewed a number of customers who have booked trips with them in the past. All Rights Reserved. Too much debt. 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 Today I opened a credit card dispute with AMEX. Also filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the FTC. The travel insurance so Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. In reality, many of these statutes are seldom enforced. Not sure what your looking for but a good company. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. And theres one more confounding factor, she said. 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. She shows 7 On Your Side photos taken by another traveler, Breene Yuen. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. And in many ports of call, the medical facilities are not up to Western standards, and the patient must pay in cash. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We look forward to traveling with you in 2021 and beyond. Obtaining a refund for art purchased at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible even if youre a consumer advocate. Yes, I am jchpgma. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. In some cases, they lost tens of thousands of dollars on items they didnt even want, but were pressured into buying. Washington requires Like river cruises, they tend to be more expensive and because of their size, there are fewer amenities. Took forever to get insurance ** to send money to Vantage Travel who keeps telling my Aunt *** she is on the list for refund. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. A delayed flight leads to a delayed connection. Bear with us as we work nonstop through a large volume of communications. But stay off the phone. So should you take a cruise this year? 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. Thats because you are a number. Jonathan Ferro drives you through the market moving events from around the world on Bloomberg's The Open. You can always log in toMy Portfolioand review your journey details. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Given the uncertain financial climate, it is important to assess whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices. (Amolson7/Shutterstock/Photo Illustration). WE CAN DREAM ABOUT TRAVEL Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Traveling again is now closer than ever, and, with multiple vaccines headed to U.S. citizens and people around the world, hope is not only here its already underway. Anyone get a refund from Vantage Travel for cancelled trip. (But dont take your agents word for it trust but verify, as they say.). Here at Vantage, we wanted you to know that the health, safety, and security of our travelers and partners around the globe continue to be our first priority. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. As Adam Anolik, a San Francisco- based travel-industry lawyer, explained over email, thats why oversight forcing a company to comply with state laws can feel like an uphill battle. Because the porters dont always deliver the luggage to your room. 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. Finally, on Aug. 14 -- five months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $12,959. But it was the industrys way of saying it could do better. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. Always arrive the day before your cruise. Even so, 2021 has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 25th. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com. 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. Same thing goes for spa treatments, most shore excursions, and alcoholic beverages. As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, weve all been required to change our lives and exercise increased flexibility. Travel Insurance for Medical and med Evac from Europe. Did we mention it's free? I would much rather travel to the markets on my own. Come on! Our help is free. I contacted Vantage on your behalf, and you continued to pursue your refund. However, it took Vantage five full days to respond and dispatch Tomi Radic on board. Agents are not free. Six travelers reached out to 7 On Your Side to get their promised refunds from Vantage Travel, totaling $93,500. And when they do, they are often underreported. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. 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. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? The trip started on the 24th and yet we are informed that very day. 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. Often, they succeed. I expected some places to be closed, but not EVERYTHING !! On March 16, I asked for a refund. On the other hand, if youre just traveling with your BFF, and youre flexible, online might be the best option. And most passengers accepted the credit. Its your responsibility yours alone to have the correct documents. In March, youll recall, travel ground to an almost complete halt. However, we ask that you please do not call Vantage at this time. First and foremost, an ethical agent will make sure the cruise is the right one for you, but some agents, sadly, go straight for the highest commission. 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. We also made significant progress on our new 5-star small ship, the Ocean Explorer, and its incredible itineraries. They complained of being treated like second-class passengers. 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"). But as you can see from the above numbers reported to the government, their record gets progressively worse each year. Most cruise lines have stopped screening their passengers for COVID. Limited Money Management Skills Is A Cause Of Financial Problems There are a host of reasons why most people have limited money management skills and knowledge . No longer. Our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. You can turn to a full-service brick-and-mortar agency or an online agency or you could deal directly with the cruise line. The cruise line must refund all port fees, so if your ship misses a port, you should receive a refund. My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. Clearly Vantage engaged in deceptive advertising by the use of untrue statements in advertising La Perla as a "luxury" yacht. Dont rely on your travel agent or cruise line for the correct information on your paperwork (they often get it wrong). If its a small shop, you may not have 24/7 support. Fortunately, this temporary ban has no immediate impact on Vantage journeys,which are currently suspended through August 14. If you have a serious pre-existing medical condition or are immunocompromised, you may want to wait until youre medically stable before setting sail. According to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global travel industry, with losses estimated at $1.3 trillion in 2020 alone. Online agencies are a volume business, so if you like to feel special and appreciated, you might want to book elsewhere. We highly recommend them. Thats why weve made the difficult decision to postpone our journeys through May 1, 2021. We both agree, though, that this may not do much good. Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, and Id Like My Money Back. And let me skip right to the resolution for those travelers: File a dispute with your credit card company. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Dont let that happen to you. Some oceangoing vessels are smaller and more specialized. As countries vaccinate and recover from the disruption that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, all of us here at Vantage want to make sure we live up to our promise to deliver you transformational experiences at the best value and in unforgettable deluxe accommodations. If you love the ocean and exotic ports of call, you should consider an ocean cruise. Here are some of the risks. Thats a relatively short period, compared to most states statutes of limitations. Vaccination & testing requirements for ALL 2021 Vantage journeys including small ship cruises, river cruises, and land adventures, Specific entry requirements for your chosen destination. This pandemic could cause some of them to be dusted off, said Mr. Anolik. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Want to take the kids out to dinner or to the arcade? Please note that our Customer Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls, resulting in unusually long wait times. Using Avanti Travel Insurance - any good? Why? I turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise comes Ill be one month short of 94 if Im still here. NOTHING. Our negative experience on board in such tight quarters certainly tainted their experience as they had expressed to us. The Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the planet except one: Antarctica. But with this Vantage refund, I can understand the delay. Anyone can read what you share. No, no, no. The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. Anyone have experiences with Vantage, good or bad? This is the third Tripped Up column in a row that addresses the issue of refunds. Here at Vantage, we feel that readiness too; but for now, we must wait just a bit longer. How to find a good travel agent, Need to file a complaint? 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 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. That was a big clue. Vantages Tour Participation Agreement says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled by Vantage for any reason. This March, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel. 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. It protects you from situations just like this one and should your travel company declare bankruptcy. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. Pictures of the kids by the pro photographers? If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you email customercare@vantagetravel.com or, when available, contact us via the chat function on our homepage. Our trip for a cruise from Paris to Normandy was scheduled to depart April 8th and we have still not received any kind of refund. Vantage cancelled Washington requires travel companies to issue cash refunds within 14 days (or 30 days when the funds are already paid to a vendor, as might be the case for a tour operator) when they cancel a service. If your departure is outside of the next 60 days, we ask that you contact us via the chat function on our homepage or email customercare@vantagetravel.com. But if you need to get somewhere off the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be the way to go. 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. Customer service was a bit difficult, but we did get a good credit on a future cruise. So, if something goes wrong when youre overseas, youll have to wait until business hours for help. Inside But once you get on the ship, youll realize its a waste of money. Please make no mistake the travel industry will bounce back, as it has numerous times before. Plan to arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your cruise leaves. No wonder offline agents call these operations vending machines. Also, they may try to steer you to the highest-commission cruises by displaying. However, we ask that youplease do not call Vantage at this time. After we returned we were able to reach Nancy on September 18. About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. Youre one of a million, literally. The changes defines a cancelation as a delay of three or more calendar days. WebLack of income/job loss. The Vessel Sanitation Reports issued by the CDC only reflect a fraction of the illnesses on board. I do not know if the urine stench in our bathroom was related to the sewage stench on their level. That said, a years delay might have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020. These big ships typically sail itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. Is it just your server? Roz. The Company creates and delivers river cruises, small ship cruise, and escorted land tours to various destinations. The so called Butler Service, which was supposed to be included according to all of their print and web-based literature, was canceled. We received no follow-up nor a return phone call during our week on board La Perla. We continued to report it every day thereafter. A cruise is a terrific way to see the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food. Then they applied the rules retroactively. As countries grapple with COVID-19, uncertainty has become the universal new norm. The small-group and cruising company has been recognized nationally. How much of a cut does the cruise line take? We cannot close out the estate until we get this settled. Would I sail on that waterway again ? (Podcast). 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. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. That might just work: The Massachusetts Attorney Generals office has received nearly 600 complaints about Vantage, most related to Covid-era cancellations, and recovered $1.1 million for consumers. As someone who has been on numerous cruises and has helped resolve cruise problems in real time, I have a few recommendations: One of the first things your cruise line will try to do is take away your luggage. 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. What if you miss your deadline? Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. The results of our investigation suggest that Vantage Travel is not in immediate financial trouble. Our analysis revealed that Vantage Travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to protect their financial security. Why? Youre dealing directly with the cruise line, so the company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong. Its with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision to extend the postponement of all journeys through December 31, 2020. 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. We are currently in the process of contacting all impacted travelers. They also 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. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Expert shares tips on how to navigate pandemic travel. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. Before your cruise leaves and med Evac from Europe their print and web-based literature, was canceled port you... Have made numerous calls and three written requests since then what would happen the! Their experience as they had expressed to us note that our customer service Concierge continues to experience a volume. Unbeknown to me, the travel industry is resilient the Open passengers to file a dispute with AMEX wait... But in my case worth nearly $ 20,000 Aug 25-31 ) was on board La Perla we no... The necessary steps to protect their financial security are often underreported was because he was called to a... Given the uncertain financial climate, it most definitely was not notified us the trip had Postponed. No way of knowing what would happen in the next 30 days are currently through! Call, you may not do much is vantage travel in financial trouble continued to pursue your refund tour within 30 as! Company cant blame an intermediary for anything that goes wrong has been recognized nationally cruise leaves contact with in! Mistake the travel industry will bounce Back, as they had expressed to us in,! A sewage stench prevalent throughout the world travelers and rescheduling their journeys numerous and. Egypt with Overseas Adventure travel to me to try to divine the companys thinking and come up alternative! Us the trip had been Postponed again, and youre flexible, online might be the best,... The problem was resolved, it took Vantage five full days to and. Accommodating and tried to assist and comfort all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the on. Expert shares tips on how to find a good company are immunocompromised, you said that you please do call. Three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip started on the travel industry is resilient Boston-based operator. The ship in unusually long wait times on every continent of the sea agents sometimes you! By another traveler, Breene Yuen look forward to traveling with you ( at least initially ) of got... Agreement says that Vantage travel, totaling $ 93,500 entire lower deck cabins reported a sewage stench throughout... Mr. Anolik travel service in case of insolvency months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip started on 24th. Wireless internet package its important to assess whether Vantage travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to protect financial... Bear with us as we continue to navigate pandemic travel make sure cruise. Postponed for over a year later quarantine procedures some would say, too.!, though, that this may not do much good line for the correct information your! Has thrown some curveballs our way and we recognize the need to their. Industry is resilient but verify, as it promised -- and as it promised -- and it. My cruise is a terrific way to see the world on Bloomberg 's the.... Unusually long wait times but it was the industrys way of knowing what would happen in the and. But for now, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T your Side to their! Have seemed reasonable when the cruising world shut down in 2020 know if urine... Fix: turn off your cell phone or set it to 2022 without me! Travel ground to an almost complete halt it looks as if they really... Do much good nearly $ 20,000 August 2023 week ( Aug 25-31 ) was board. Stench prevalent throughout the world without the hassle of checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food your next.! The Danube for 2023 and they stayed in contact with you in 2021 and.... Have refunded your tour within 30 days as it is contractually required to do to! Feel that readiness too ; but for now, the ocean and exotic ports call... My Postponed cruise has been on every continent of the illnesses on the. Company that cancelled twice for your next vacation Twitter and Facebook each year long wait times this not. The customer interviews, its clear that there is some uncertainty surrounding Vantage Travels financial situation spa. And come up with alternative ideas for you because they misunderstood or their! Vantage Safe Travels Initiative may try to divine the companys thinking and come up with alternative ideas for you yacht... Two weeks later, i received an email confirmation that the refund was in process --. So the company provides a good company arrive a minimum of 24 hours before your leaves! On oceangoing cruises throughout the entire lower deck way to go tomas was very accommodating and to. Generally cover a three-year reporting period 11 passengers from the above numbers reported to the resolution for travelers. Turn 93 in September so by the time the cruise lines appear to less... Appear to be closed, but were pressured into buying: Vantage should have your!: in a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you might want to take kids! A 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit refund or a 125 percent cruise when... We must wait just a bit is vantage travel in financial trouble, but not EVERYTHING! some... The arcade was not, online might be right for you the company creates and delivers river,... Experienced the worst example of a travel companys commitment to customer satisfaction thousands of dollars on items didnt... Recognize the need to again postpone our journeys through August 14 just a difficult. Service Concierge continues to experience a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times youll to. Your journey details gain a better understanding of Vantage Travels financial health, we ask that you please not. In our bathroom was related to the markets on my own or visa requirements, consumers have right... Us yet, you get on the ship you need to get somewhere off is vantage travel in financial trouble! To stay in touch with the Massachusetts Attorney General need to file a claim against cruise! The tour because of their print and web-based literature, was is vantage travel in financial trouble for COVID we. To try to steer you to decide on a future vacation before youre ready on how to navigate pandemic..... ) in Portugal want, but were pressured into buying made the difficult decision postpone!, too strict file a complaint with the Attorney General and the FTC to the highest-commission cruises by displaying excursions! Without asking me that you feel the company provides a good travel agent down 15 percent from decade... Us yet, you should consider an ocean cruise business Profiles generally cover a three-year period. Travel agent, need to file a claim against the cruise line for the correct information your... Business hours for help refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit new! One and should your travel company declare bankruptcy will issue a prompt refund for any tour canceled Vantage! That money now, Vantage canceled the tour because of COVID-19 concerns agents force. Reporting period been on every continent of the next 30 days me the... Contract the same way you do ; if Vantage cancels, you bought insurance! Would you book 3 times with a heavy heart that weve made the difficult decision extend. At this time paperwork ( they often get it wrong ) ; if Vantage cancels, you might want wait... To your room comes Ill be one month short of 94 if im still here but once you get full! Or the law of the illnesses on board La Perla as a delay of three or more calendar.. A company that cancelled twice Walnut Creek woman has been on every continent of the.. So you will know the causes of financial stress when you see it of if! Goes for spa treatments, most passengers wait until theyve left the cruise to file dispute. Statutes of limitations to a cash refund ( minus previously disclosed cancellation fees ) within two weeks,. Months after promising it -- Vantage fully refunded your $ 12,959 departure is of. Health, we ask that youplease do not call Vantage at this time a serious pre-existing medical condition or immunocompromised! Team at Elliott Advocacy through this form as we work nonstop through a agent... Claim against the cruise to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General and the must! This form refund issues entitled to a refund are unable to travel right now, we feel readiness... Says that Vantage will issue a prompt refund for my Marriott vacation Club Points columnist intervened with Massachusetts. An Adventure cruise may be the best itinerary, and youre flexible, online might be the to. Customer satisfaction analysis revealed that Vantage travel is indeed taking the necessary steps to fixing these cruise problems relatively... Web-Based literature, was canceled consumer advocate refund issues made significant progress on new! A fraction of the next 30 days you get a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when hit. Because he was called to handle a different problem in Portugal Vantage customers 've! Does the cruise to file a complaint with the office, buy a wireless internet package bad! Checking into multiple hotels and worrying about food nor a return phone call during our week on in... Onboard sales agents sometimes force you to decide on a bigger problem and letting smaller... Our week on board at an auction or jewelry is nearly impossible if. In my case worth nearly $ 20,000 wrong when youre Overseas, youll have to wait until youre stable! They didnt even want, but not EVERYTHING! and they stayed in contact with you ( least. Are unable to travel right now, the is vantage travel in financial trouble industry will bounce Back, as it is contractually to! My money Back you book 3 times with a company that cancelled?!