Ships appear to get less safe with each passing year. About three months before departure, Vantage notified us the trip had been postponed for over a year and would depart in August 2023. Heres what happened: Many cruise lines offered either a refund or a 125 percent cruise credit when COVID-19 hit. Too much debt. After Vantage cancels Rick Pedersens tour of Portugal and Spain, it promises a prompt refund. I know many of you are ready to get back out there and continue your explorations. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Required fields are marked *. Its an online travel agency. Uh-uh. Here are my strategies for advocating your case. Seasickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine will lessen the effects, but they will also put you to sleep. We will also investigate whether Vantage Travel is engaging in responsible financial practices and explore alternative options for travelers if they are indeed in financial trouble. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. Thank you for entrusting Vantage with your travel dreams. It was on board La Perla where the problems occurred. 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. Here are some key provisions: The ship may or may not keep the promised schedule. 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. However, we ask that youplease do not call Vantage at this time. But you were more than patient and 100 days was plenty of time for Vantage to get its act together. 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. You have 24/7 phone support through most of the online agencies. Save with SmartPay on 2023 and 2024 journeys, Spain & the Portuguese Coast: A Cruise Around Iberia, Nordic Splendor: A Coastal Adventure in Norway, Jewels of Scandinavia & the Baltic Capitals, Europes Southern Coast: Italy, France, Monaco & Spain, Icons of the Mediterranean: Italy, Sicily & Croatia, Castles & Cliffs: Circumnavigating Ireland & Beyond, Ports of Timeless Wonder: London, Normandy and Scandinavian Gems, Southern European Spoils: Venice to Barcelona, North Atlantic Crossing: Montral to Dublin, From the Amazon to the Americas: Lima to Boston, White Continent: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands Expedition, Antarctic Grandeur: An Expedition from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Deep Into the Amazon: Exploring the Amazon Jungle, Expedition Cruises - Arctic: Greenland & Iceland, Exploring the Arabian Sea: Dubai to Amman, Coastal Explorations: Canada & New England, Eastern Seaboard Explorer: Colonial America and Cultural Capitals, Discover North American Waterways: St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto, The Call of the Wild: Summer on the Alaskan Coast, Passage to the Caribbean: From Brazil to the Bahamas, Portugal & Spain: Treasures Along the Golden Douro, Majestic Rivers of Europe Wine Cruise: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales, Passage to Eastern Europe featuring Transylvania, Switzerland, the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle, Enchanting Danube: Budapest to Regensburg, Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders, Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, Best of Holland & Belgium: Spring Tulips & Culinary Treats, Best of Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana, On Safari in Kenya & Tanzania: Up Close with the Big Five, Ultimate Africa Adventure: Southern & East Africa Deluxe Safari, Australia & New Zealand: From Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier Reef & Beyond, Mongolias Ancient Mysteries & Modern Marvels, The Silk Road: Marco Polo & Golden Cities of Central Asia, Trans-Canada Rail Adventure & the Rockies, Across Patagonia: Chile's Lakes, Mountains & Wildlife, Wines and Cultures of South America: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil, U.S. Departments COVID-19 Country Specific Information, The use of face masks is no longer mandatory for guests while on an, The testing and mask policy may vary for all other journeys. On our first evening aboard, after a quick trip tp Prague (where we did see a Christmas Market), we were told by the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Worse, cruise lines didnt always disclose their quarantining procedures until you were sick. Is my warranty dead, too? Anyone can read what you share. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. 48% complained and were miserable for seven full days. 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. Wherever you long to explore, Vantage Deluxe World Travel can help you experience it in ultimate luxury. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. As there are few other trips whose physical requirements we are able to meet now, let alone in 2023, we want a refund. We had to call every day and ask for information. However, we ask that you please do not call Vantage at this time. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Have a look at Princess passage contract: Doctors, nurses or other medical or service personnel work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier, since Carrier is not a medical provider. In other words, when a doctors negligence leads to the death of a family member, the cruise line is off the hook. Learn the word no, and use it often. Thank you for being part of the Vantage family. When thinking about these common problems, each one falls into one of three areas: You need more money, you need to reduce your debt, or you need to change how you spend. Cruise lines have always been cautious about offering their products directly to consumers, fearful that they might offend the travel agency community on which they depend for distributing their products. COVID and norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships. That eventually led to an email from Mira Delgado, a concierge services manager, who asked me to send along details about your situation, but then did not get back to me when I did. 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. 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. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. Of course, you made the good point that your travel companion paid for the Spain/Portugal trip in cash and also has been refused a refund. 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.. My cruise line requires a vaccination and now my credits are expiring, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now, The ultimate passenger guide to Lyft, Uber and ridesharing. The right to have available, on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters, full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shoreside medical care becomes available. 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. During the pandemic, many cruise lines instituted strict quarantine procedures some would say, too strict. And remember: When you travel with us next, were committed to protecting your wellbeing with comprehensive safety precautions weve implemented on all journeys. 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. Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Travel Industry, How to Start a Business Letter: Salutations, Introductions, and Closings. 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. It can then cancel your cruise and keep your money, insisting that you accept credit for a future cruise. Including the optional tours, air, insurance and fees, my wife and I paid $12,959 for the tour. This happened in February and my aunt is always calling to check on. So you couldnt review the quarantining protocols before making a booking decision and say, No, thats too much. The only way to avoid an unpleasant quarantine is to wait until the infection risk is low. We are experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in unusually long wait times. Founder & Chairman If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. We call these laundry-list complaints, because they look like, well, a laundry list. 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. Would I sail on that waterway again ? Lets work together to create a safer travel experience for everyone. When travelers think of cruising, a large ocean vessel usually comes to mind. You may feel like a number. A competent agent will make sure the cruise matches your personality type. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. | If you are one of these travelers, youve likely already received an email from us about your 2020 journey. Would you like a FREE color catalog? Better late than never. 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