www.affordabletours.com

many other companies of quality that do not do this.

rather than doing the same thing over and over

expecting different results might find a new company.

OAT is a middleman not a direct provider always

gets the left over stuff cheaply and marks it up.

Go local and direct for better experience

usually works best for me.

Galapagos cruises are the worst scammed in the world

The boards are infested with agents/scammers

touting as "destination experts" TripAdvisor is

the very worst so caveat emptor.

www.cruisecritic.com has many excellent providers

www.priceline.com allows me to precisely select

my exact single cabin # online and book still up to 70% off.

Might try them next time.

I hope you consider simply not using them again. You have been more than patient. BTW GC/OAT has had plenty of complaints filed against them with the BBB for poor CS practices. I thought they had improved but evidently not. The heck with them. I'd complain to the BBB if I was you. Good luck. Larry

I can't speak to this particular tour, but I can certainly say that this isn't true across the board with OAT. I've traveled with them, and on each trip there were single travelers who did not get inferior rooms.

You can certainly fault OAT for their inflexible policies, but this isn't a problem I've experienced.

And OAT is actually not a middleman. They have their own tour staff in many countries and make direct bookings. I don't think this is true in every destination they travel to, but it is certainly the case in their most popular destinations.

Doug when you traveled with them did they know you were from Fodors?

No, they didn't. And I was not the person traveling as a single.

Thank you.

I see you are new to Fodors. Welcome. I just returned from an OAT trip in December. There were more single folks then married ones on the trip and the singles appeared pleased. Some had opted for the matching roommate and there were 2 single rooms on the ship. I might add that if you are unsatified, why keep repeating? If they won't give you a room at booking, don't book. Simple.

By the way, if you were on the Athena or the sister ship, there are no bad rooms. We were on the main deck (cheap seats as I call them) and the rooms were excellent. The two single ones were good. One of the gals invited all to see it. No complaints.

We had a very bad experience with GCT..and swore we would never travel with them again. But time has softened our hearts, but DH said, never fall for their 'cash' discount policy, and put it all on your credit card. That way, if you have disputes, you have some leverage. The credit card will fix it...Many on our trip got full refund when they challenged their trip and requested a transfer from their credit card. We got a partial refund.

Again I have to say that there are no bad rooms on the boats that go to Turkey and Greece with OAT. Lots of singles and no complaining. I don't get it. There are only two single rooms on the ship and rest accomodate 2 people. There is a diagram on the website. She offered to pay twice the amount? Please, you can up grade to a high end ship for that. These are economy trips not first class.

What made you wait for 9 months to register here to post this one thing?

I do know Grand Circle uses "middlemen"..as we were caught up in it..Paid for a River Cruise; we questioned GCT at the last minute with several phone calls to their management about the 'cruise' as the rivers were then high; they lied and said "the river boats are on the rivers, as we speak, waiting"...but when we got there, there were 3 large busses waiting to take us on a 'pre-arranged' bus trip (3 week, mind you) thru the dregs of Eastern Europe, a place I never wanted to visit....and short of going straight to the airport and fighting with them for our refund, we took the trip...Never Again.!!! Is that called 'bait and switch?"

Did you sign up for Eastern Europe on the River boat? You sign up for specific trips, they just don't just decide to run you through an area that they like. If Grand Circle boats did not get through because of flooding neither did Viking, and other boats go on the River. If you take their insurance you can cancel. "dregs of Eastern Europe" should have been an interesting trip. I can see being disappointed that you weren't on a ship but it shouldn't ruin a trip. You had to have signed up for that area. They don't control the rivers. I bet you b*tched the entire time and ruined it for others who made the best of the situation.

By the way, I find "dregs of Eastern Europe" offensive.

I also had a very bad experience with Grand Circle/OAT a few years ago and have not considered them since. I was kicked off a trip to the Amazon less than two weeks prior even after I had all documents (such as air tickets) in hand. I was told that they had overbooked. Since I was a single, I have to assume that I was chosen rather than a double for financial reasons.

southeastern: Since you were not there, not sure your opinion should influence. GCT did tell us, day before on the phone, that the boats were ON the river, 'as we speak".and they anticipated no problems. ..When we go there we were herded into a hotel lobby to wait; the tour that preceded us was just returning, and they were MAD...lots of letters, threats to sue, etc. Of course, since they had the entire fleet of busses lined up and ready to take us, it was not a 'last minute' accomocation by anyone's imagination. out and out subtrafuge.!!!! and deceit.

And No, there were several folks who were just unfit to take a strenuous bus trip...One guy was blind, totally blind, another lady needed constant medication---unavailable on bus, and one woman was so sick the entire time--they just put her on the back of the bus with a stack of depends and ignored her.

No, I did not bitch, but was about to when I found ground glass, several large chunks, in my Hungarian goulosh...a little PO'd about that, but luckily didn't get hurt. When I pointed it out to them, they just shrugged.!!!

We have traveled on 9 trips with GCT and OAT and have never had any problems. In fact, all of our tours were wonderful - with the best tour guides in the business. While we travel as a couple, we have never heard any complaints from others traveling with us as singles.

Ship cabins are generally much smaller than hotel rooms - if that's what the OP is comparing her cabin with.

GCT does own their own boats that are used on the river cruises in Europe. We will be taking another GCT - river cruise - in August, and look very forward to it. We do expect a much smaller cabin that we have had on ocean cruises, but that is the norm on river cruises.

Sad to say, there infrequently are travelers who complain about their tours for one reason or another. Most of the time it is due to unrealistic expectations.

If you have any questions about traveling with GCT or OAT, feel free to contact me at GoneTravelin2@aol.com.

"Unrealistic expectations" Very doubtful as GCT/OAT has had numerous complaints filed with the Mass. BBB. Combine that with the many complaints voiced on this thread and many others here on Fodors over the yrs. and the picture is different, far different. Yes this has be up for discussion here before and it always is the case that GCT/OAT gets polarizing reviews. There is no in between. It seems that if all goes well there are great but when problems occur then its another story. Then they leave you hanging.

>>>unrealistic expectations<<<

somehow I don't think it was unrealistic to think that having documents and confirmation for a trip would mean that I would actually being going.

No, what is unrealistic is to make a blanket statement covering scores of complaints that you were not aware of inre to OAT/GCT to the Mass. BBB.

BTW I don't mean "you" specifically SusieQQ of course. Its meant in a general sense.

I suggest those that dislike GCT/OAT book a cruise on the ships that have state rooms, 3,000 passengers, 6 hours in a country and think they are special because someone puts a napkin in your lap. You will be far happier on one of those ships. Travel on your own also works well.

SE: I knew you would say something like that. We are trying to have a civil discussion here. No need for sarcasm. The facts are that while many like GCT/OAT many others have had bad experiences with them. Try to see things from another POV. Its a big world. If not I suggest to leave this thread. We'll be far happier. JM2C.

Actually, I think this is a useful discussion. I tend to agree that when things go well with OAT, they go very well, and when things do not, they really don't.

I've read many times about OAT shifting people on river cruises onto bus tours when the rivers were unnavigable. I don't really understand, I confess, why this is a particular problem with OAT because I don't read these complaints widely about other river cruise companies.

However, I simply don't agree that OAT treats single travelers with disdain by giving them the worst accommodations and cabins. That's something I've come to believe by both personal experience and word of mouth from people I know and trust. (I do think that single rooms and cabins, when they exist, are smaller than double cabins ... and that's just the way of the world, I'm afraid to say.)

My point as well Doug. They do seem to do things very well or they also can be quite unacceptable when things don't go as planned. If you like them then great but do listen to the other views as well as there are so many of them. Thanks for the input.

"dregs of Eastern Europe" "you get the absolutely worst room they have. This has happened time and time again." is civil discussion? I wasn't being sarcastic, I was being truthful. People that choose budget cruises are always upset that they don't get 5 star service. GCT/OAT are budget. You get what you pay for. I'm not for or against them. I'm just saying that crap happens on a lot of tours. Have seen lots of complaints concerning drunks and loud people on big cruise ships, kids in adult pools, etc. doesn't mean all are bad. As I said, if you want perfect do your own thing or book 5 star. "SE: I knew you would say something like that" gee, I didn't know we knew each other.

Actually SE you posted something similarly sarcastic some time ago inre to a comment I made about GCT. Yes we do know each other a bit or at least I know of you. And BTW it is now you who is being offensive.

Per Southeastern: I was being truthful. People that choose budget cruises are always upset that they don't get 5 star service. GCT/OAT are budget. You get what you pay for.

I disagree that these companies are budget. I just booked a trip with GCT for 2 people and the trip was $9,000. That is NOT a budget trip as far a I'm concerned.

Totally agree with h2otstr. GCT is NOT a budget travel company, and our experience with them has been very good. We felt they were organized, on top of each phase of the trip, from pre trip to after trip. We hope to travel with them again. But since they are not budget, we have to save a little. Sorry that someone had a bad experience. I honestly think that was a definate exception to what usually happens with GCT.

We always book "last minute travel" and save money. Some trips have been very inexpensive. GCT?OAT is not Tauck tours, so I consider it budget compared to them and some of the smaller ships like the Siver Seas. We have been pleased with GCT/OAT but we have also been pleased with Viking and others similar. We have a good time no matter what happened. Sometimes when things go wrong are the most memorable and most laughful parts of the trip.

Jackwatch: I am sarcastic but also beautiful, charming, funny, intelligent and sexy. I have it all. LOL

SE. At least we can agree about one thing.

Barbara thanks for telling us about this "Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel"....I have booked them foe my trip but now i will ask the same question which you bring in our notice...as i am also traveling alone..

http://vakantiehuizenmoraira.villamar.nl/findAllVillas.php?filter=Moraira&lang=nl

I just had my May 2011 trip to Nepal cancelled just 5 weeks before departure. They supposedly cancelled 2 dates in May. Why they didn't combine the two, I don't think I'll ever know. I find it odd that they couldn't get enough participants for those dates, yet the other dates in May were so full they didn't even have room for 1 single traveller. Now I'm waiting for the trip refund and refund for the visas. So far they have offered no other compensation.

Having had a a terrible experience with GCT a few years back documented elsewhere in the forum) my suggestion and advice to everyone using this company (well, maybe any company) is to put it all on the credit card...as little cash up front as necessary. When/if it comes to a dispute later, you can deal with the credit card co. American Express really goes to bat for you. We asked for a partial refund and got it, while a second couple travelling with us asked for a full refund and got it.!!! It's the only power we have over unscrupulous tactics.

blob,

Did you get any shots for the trip? When they bumped me off my Amazon trip, I got them to remimburse me for my shots.

I had a very bad experience with OAT recently. I was booked on their May 14, 2011 departure for Nepal and the Mystical Himalayas. They cancelled the trip just 5 weeks before I was to depart. Not only that, they had no room on any of their May departures available for me, a single traveller. I called them just a few weeks earlier to check that the trip was running before I shelled out $200+ for the visas. I was told that there was "no way" that the trip would be cancelled as there were more than enough people booked on that departure. I have made numerous calls to OAT, but no one is willing to give you a straight answer. It seems that they also cancelled the May 7 departure for this trip. I questioned why they didn't combine the May 7 and 14 dates, but no one knew why. I questioned why I wasn't contacted earlier so that they would have been able to put me on another May departure- no one knew why. I started to do some research on OAT and GCT. I was astonished at the # of complaints against them, many of which have to deal with cancellations (some trips cancelled the day before people were to depart). My recommendation to anyone considering this company is to do your research before you book with them. Just google OAT Complaints or GCT Complaints. They say they offer good value and their trips are cheap, but you get what you pay for. What kind of value is it if they cancel on you?

This discussion by now a bit dated. Does seem to cover some issues with single travelers or cancelations about which I cannot comment. But I will say that our April '11 river cruise with GCT LaHavre to Paris was quite nice in every way. Ditto two years ago Holland-Belgium. Mostly we take the optional tours. Besides other means of travel over the years we have been six times with GCT and appreciate their educational and cultural approach. Still debating whether we prefer river cruises or land travel...each has pros and cons.

Bill in Boston

Yeah Bill..we have had some nice trips with GCT too, but when they mess up, they do it big time, and there is no avenue of redress when you are out in Romania with no options, as we were..GCT just threw up their hands and backed away. Wonder why they don't get sued more often...although they are in bad with the BBB of Boston.

Actually Bill I have seen many such comments about GCT/OAT for quite some time here and its always the same. Either you love them or hate them. What justwishin said I heard many time B4 as well. I have looked up the Boston BBB complaints and again what JW said is true. I'm glad things went well for you and hope they stay that way.

I think their policy of being 'non responsive' is a planned one, in that they don't dare admit culpability or responsibility for fear of opening a can of worms they can't digest

Just been reading a bunch of negative comments on OAT Travel. My personal situation: Single traveler, always found OAT to be fantastic. Been with them on 3 trips. Always positive experiences. Leaving June 14 for Greece, Turkey & Greek Isles for 1 month,will be my 4th trip with them. Most cost effective Travel Co for what they provide and all the value they provide. I've traveled with Linblad,NatGeo to Antarctic, cost = 3X OAT, loved it but the price limits my travel, I don't like limitations and I don't want white-gloved servants waiting on me. Sleeping in a tent in the Serengetti was a dream come true. Anyone unhappy needs to go with someone else. For me, I'm totally happy.

I have read many of these comments about OAT over the years as I researched the trips I was scheduled to take, but never replied before. I am a 10 time OAT traveler and can't wait to travel with them again. (I know nothing about GCT because I refuse to travel with larger groups- so can't comment about them.) Not one "single" I traveled with ever complained about rooms - and almost all travelers knew when they signed on that they were expected to bring their spirit of adventure with them. Most of the people who travel with OAT are looking for just that and I have found the vast majority of them interesting and fun companions who are flexible, positive and eager for new experiences. Oh, I have had a shower that doesn't drain fast enough, or a shopping expedition that could have lasted a bit longer - but that was a small price to pay for the experiences and memories I come home with. While most rooms are probably 3-4 star, we are often treated to incredible 5 star rooms - but that is a bonus, not the meat of the trip I am looking for.

You may not call it budget travel, but if you check out some of the other companies (Tauck, Lindblad, etc), OAT undoubtedly is, by comparison! Travel is expensive: $9,000 is not a lot for 2 people for 2 weeks including air. OAT cuts corners where it can, without sacrificing the unique in terms of education, culture and adventure. Some of their inflexible policies can be exasperating, but in such areas I know there is always a trade off - and so far OAT has never let me down. Their guides are incredibly knowledgeable, the experiences so unique, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every trip. The name of the company highlights their approach: "Adventure." That's what I am in for! I can get a 5 star hotel and a fantastic meal near home but to have tea on a wood floor in Bhutan, or stay overnight in a Chinese farmer's house, and yes, to experience that tent in the Serengetti - OAT has given it all to me. On a large boat up the Yantzee, for ex, (one that carried many tours), other groups were herded to view one more pagoda and then on to one more souvenir shop - while OAT walked our small group behind a building, and had a van waiting to bring us to a new village where we interviewed people whose ancient homestead was relocated due to the dam and then walked aound a town that obviously had little exerience with Americans! OAT aims for such discoveries on every trip - and has always delivered for me. Their trip to the Galapagos was such a glorious experience, I hope to do it again.

Some things are controlled by nature or whim. When we were in India, we could not see Varanasi by boat because the boat companies were on strike. That was so disappointing; it was a photo-op I was eagerly anticipating - but it was not OAT's fault. The fact that the company and guides are flexible and innovative enough to work around such trouble spots is impressive. But I must add that the traveler must also recognize that real world exploration is not a Disney Adventure. And I, for one, am happy that it is not.

:

As I see this is your first post welcome to Fodors. I hope you post often as it seems you have much adventure to share that most would like to hear about.

OAT is good as many will say...but likely too active for us as we are aging. Our six GCT all excellent...and we await a bargain.
Bill in Boston

Thanks, jacketwatch. I don't think I'll post too often but I appreciate the invitation! There is much I have loved about OAT travel, not the least of which is the spirit of adventure, flexible nature and youthful outlook of most of my fellow travelers! I must also admit that I had to be dragged most unwillingly into group travel - but when I encountered OAT, it was such a pleasant and exciting experience that I was swept off my feet. I took OAT's Safari Serengetti last summer - and it certainly didn't disappoint! It was my second OAT trip to Africa (Ultimate Africa was the first) - and I will continue to look into other African adventures. They were both awesome trips! Although I realize how specifically OAT trips are planned, (and that is good!) there is always enough spontaneous adventure cropping up that I feel satisfied. Now contemplating where to go next. Any suggestions? I am leaning toward Turkey or Morocco - but am open to all OAT possibilities. I wish they offered trips in the US or Canada. Although I have seen the bulk of both countries, It is tempting to think of what OAT could do with Alaska, Hawaii, the Rockies, or the Maritime Provinces... However, I still have enough to choose from in trips already in the mix - so I can make do!

OZARKSBILL, you make a very good point. Thank you. That is why it is important to know your own needs and expectations - and do enough research to see that you are well matched to the "zeitgiest"of the group. As long as the heart and mind are willing, and we can drag the body along for the ride, there should be a travel experience we can find that fits our individual needs! Hope you find that bargain...

Actually we spent three days last yr. in Istanbul pre cruise and loved it. We have another cruise planned in the fall which has two days there and we can,t wait.

Kusadasi is very cool too as you can see the excavated city of Ephesus which rivals Pompei. Then there's Cappodocia which I hear nothing but rave reviews about and of course you can go to the ruins of Troy.

We are sort of on the same wave length in that we nearly choose Moroccoover the cruise.i hear Marrakech and Fez are really good to see. Cheers, Larry

I would recommend OAT's Discover Thailand. It is possibly the best trip we have ever taken. We visited schools, ate in homes and wandered street markets and floating markets. We rode in ox carts, on elephants, river rafts pushed by poles, longtail boats, regular boats, and in the back of pickup trucks,and tut tuts of course. There were 14 of us. What fun, it was an adventure!

Just saw this high on the list when searching OAT and GCT. I traveled as a single to India a year or so ago. My rooms were exceptional. Other single travelers invited us to see some of the amazing rooms to which they were assigned. My experience as a single traveler was fabulous. A person who continually finds fault may have to look in a different direction for the solution.

Who is OAT's most direct competion?
I've been on OAT and might try another company.

I'd suggest Smartours. But if you are younger, you should also look at Intrepid. Still, I think competition depends on the destination. But Smartours is most like OAT of the companies I know fairly well.

I believe Smartours has large groups. A friend went to Thailand on one and every seat of a full sized bus was full. OAT does small groups of 14-16 on land tours.

I came across this discussion and just had to add my 2 cents. We've made 4 trips with OAT -- Africa (Zimbabwe & Botswana), China, Morocco, and most recently, Anarctica. All were sensational experiences! The guides were excellent, the logistics were planned extremely well, and the "learning and discovery" philosophy of OAT added numerous fine experiences to our travels with them. The small groups (12 - 14 passengers) made the trips especially enjoyable.

We have not traveled with GCT. In our recent experience in Antarctica OAT really showed that they can handle matters like true professionals when things go wrong. Upon returning to Ushuaia heavy winds caused the port to be closed and, consequently, we missed our flight to Buenos Aires. In the hours that we waited for the winds to subside, OAT made arrangements for all of us to stay another night in Ushuaia, arranged air transportation to Buenos Aires, made hotel arrangements for us there, and made new reservations for 108 folks to fly from Buenos Aires to our home airports -- and this was on Christmas Eve! OAT was simply wonderful.

I have not found a tour company whose prices are as low as OAT for what they offer at any of the destinations we have visited with them. They simply offer great value. Are the hotels the best available? Usually not, yet they are clean, comfortable and perfectly acceptable to us for whom a hotel for 1 - 2 nights as a place to lay our heads at night is not nearly as important as the variety of experiences that OAT provides so well.

We took the Grand Circle Tour- The Best of Eastern Europe- May 9 through May 26.2012. The tour was great. The rooms that we were assigned were awful. Traveled with friends who are Inner Circle members. Their rooms were consistently better than ours.
This was our first trip with GC. We have since learned that after taking four or more trips with GC, you are given preferential treatment and receive the better rooms. We paid more money for the trip than the Inner Circle members because they usually are given a discount, for each trip that they take.
I will never take another Grand Circle tour and felt discriminated against because this was our first trip. In Budapest, were given body wash/shampoo product which was the same as dish detergent because we were assigned a lesser room.
The maid had lotion, shampoo and conditioner on her cart and our friends were given those products in the room.
Be aware that Grand Circle will assign lesser rooms to individuals who area not Inner Circle members. I have included these comments in my evaluation and have also spoken with the quality assurance department.

Suzanne: thanks for that candid reply. I can understand consideration for being past patrons but at least provide decent shampoo!

Because of one very disasterous experience with GCT, we will never go again. It wasn't that the trip turned to crap, and they didn't handle it well, but afterwards, when we were home and tried to correspond with them, they didn't even respond. Nuts with a tribe like that. I say it again, when it goes well with them, it is usually very well, and when it doesn't, the just DROP THE BALL. The will never admit fault of blame, probably afraid of litigation. If you google them, you will learn more of their history than, perhaps, you want to know. ugh.

I tired of hearing that QTOand GC upgrade the rooms for inner circle members. Don't most companies treat their good customers better. Airlines upgrade frequent flyers, most stores give you a frequent member tag for your keychain and give you a discount or a special coupon in the mail. Itseems to me that it'S just sour grapes. Hotel chains give better rooms to people who stay with them often"........

Suzanne. As an Inner Circle Member (10 trips), I strongly disagree with your assessment of rooms assigned. We always get the same type room as other less frequent travelers. On our recent trip to Iceland, we again received the same type standard rooms as everyone else in the group. Groups generally get less than ideal rooms due to the fact that the tour company pays less than standard room rates - parking lot views rather than ocean views, etc. Periodically nicer rooms are assigned at random to group members. I remember one suite that we were assigned "before" we became Inner Circle, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

I have made many trips with GCT and am an Inner Circle member. They are a wonderful group to travel with. Two of my trips were as a single with the single supplement waived right from the start. The trips are incredible, well paced, and I always return rested. I never felt "discriminated" against. My hotel rooms and/or cabin was NEVER any different than those shared by couples. I will be traveling with them to Australia in 2013 and that trip is a "single supplement free". The group leaders/guides have ALWAYS been great. The home visits have always been a highlight.

OAT Feedback: I commented before my Greece/Turkey/Greek isles trip and now that I'm back here are my final comments. Awesome, Fantastic, wonderful. I am a single, my room was great both on the boat and everywhere else. I think OAT is a wonderful company, huge value for the $$$. If you are a complainer or simply not easily satisfied, please choose another company. Linblad, Nat Geo, Tauck all are great companies. Of course you will pay 2-4 X more but ........

Well, once again I'll affirm an excellent experience with Grand Circle. This our 7th GCT was the Elbe River cruise last July and everything went well. I say this though becoming quite ill toward the end of the grip. Program director assisted me in seeking medical care in Hamburg
...diagnosis unspecified bacterial infection. We had the group insurance plan. Now feeling great.

Good memories of aboard the M/S River Allegro. Bussed from Prague via Sudetenland we boarded ship and had stop offs in Dresden, Meissen, Torgau, Wittenberg, Tangermunde, Berlin, Lauenburg, Hamburg.
www.fodors.com/community/europe/down-the-elbe-river.cfm
(see also Cruising the Seine report)

Bill in Boston

I have to say any trip can turn sour but it doesn't mean the company is all bad. We had a Viking experience that wasn't the best but we are trying them again in December. Bad shampoo or someone getting what they consider a lesser cabin has no affect on us. There are good guides and bad, we have had both. Someone posted that on the Viking tour we are about to take that they didn't have chop sticks on the table and you had to ask for them. Really, Really that upset your trip? Another posted that they served lunch on the deck and had sandwiches one day. Another Really, that did you in? Most of the folks on this site offer excellent and wonderful help. I have learned so much from the positive people. When things don't go right, they point it out but it doesn't become a tragedy. Thank you all for the opened minded reviews, they have been a great help for us. Thank goodness there are many companies to choose from. No need for those ever to take a Grand Cirle, Oat or any tour for that matter. Happy travels and thank you all for posting excellent and helpful comments that provide us with knowledge.

I am an Inner Circle with GTC, have always loved my trips, but always traveled with a friend. I traveled to China and Australia with them and had a fabulous time. I am not a fussy individual, and while 5-star hotels are great, I'm not upset to be in a 4-star one. I am, however, looking to travel alone and have seen some interesting ads from G Adventures and Odessy. Can anyone tell me anything about these companies?

Thanks

As I said, we have had several good trips with GTC that were good, but one where they seriously defaulted, even lied to us that the 'boats were on the river ready to host us', when the boats had not left their moorings all spring due to flooding. We then were forced to take a three week bus trip of eastern europe, a place I never wanted to see, and this was supposed to be a viable alternative, no announcement, no recompense, no chance to change plans or cancel. They had it all arranged, three busses in a row, all fitted with drivers and attendants, etc. We went some of the worst places, stayed at some real dumps, and made no explanation.
So be warned, when things go bad, they go very bad@@@

Just to add my two cents worth. I have traveled with GCT six times, once as single on a land tour. Probably the best rooms I had were as a single! That trip had about 10 singles and all our rooms were comparable to those in doubles albeit in one location they were smaller, but that makes sense to me since the rooms were for just one person.

No, everything doesn't always go perfectly on every GCT trip - or any trip for that matter. I used to travel with Tauck and had times when I was unhappy with some of those trips - and I paid a whole lot more. Personally, I prefer GCT - find I have more in common with the folks on those trips.

In terms of GCT responses to problems. We were in Paris at the end of a GCT river cruise when the Islandic volcano errupted. GCT provided us lodging & breakfast in the same hotel where we had been staying for 4 additional nights, at no cost, until we could fly out. This was provided whether or not we had trip insurance. We watched other people in the hotel being left high and dry by their tour group. Was certainly glad to be with GCT. On a recent trip to Sicily, two people ended up with serious health problems and our program director could not have done more to help them get the care they needed - one who had to fly home and one who was hospitalized for over a week.

As an aside - took an Eastern Europe tour (land) with GCT several years ago - LOVED the trip - fascinating to see life in that part of the world and to hear about their rise out of communism. Dregs? Hardly! Paris it was not - but would go back to visit in a heartbeat.

It always amuses me to see people complain about getting the worst rooms (compared to what you should ask). My wife and I are long since retired but spend our retirement time escorting tours for a local tour company (not OAT). In the course of the year, we do Cuba, Egypt, Greek Islands, Peru, Ecuador/Galapagos and Kenya. Every year there are always a couple of people who say they have been assigned the worst rooms. These people should not be travelling if they expect to get the best 100% of the time. The rooms are normally pre-assigned and, if they are not, they are randomly selected so you just have to take the good with the bad. Demands for consistently comfortable accommodations in developing countries is an unreasonable expectation. Sadly, many folks are travelling to simply say that they have crossed the destination off their bucket list and have absolutely no interest in the culture, just their own comfort.

nana02-
You asked about Odysseys Unlimited. We've done 5 trips with OAT over the last 7 years (and have another one booked) and one with OU about 3 years ago. It's similar to OAT, has a max group of 24, is slightly costlier and slightly higher end. No tipping which is a perk! They do charge a single-supplement, though.
We took them to Patagonia - we'd preferred their itinerary to OAT's. We thought their pace was slightly slower than OAT's. We had 22 in the group.
Very happy with them and would use them again depending upon itinerary/cost.

Whoops-
That OU trip was 2 years ago.

In all this chit chat about GCT/OAT, no one has mentioned their
really strong suit and that is the amazing fellow travelers on the tour. I've been on one GCT and four OAT with the latest in November, 12 to Peru with Amazon extension. I'm in fantastic
physical condition, but at the age of 77 I climbed the Inca ruins very carefully (falling is NOT an option) with my walking stick. Almost immediately I found one male member of the tour
in front of me and another behind looking out for me. They
were always offering a steady hand or arm on the really tricky
and steep parts. When I protested, one sweet guy just looked at me and said, "If I can do this at 77, I'll be dancing in
the streets." All my tours have had these great fellow travelers. This and terrific guides are why I keep traveling
with this company. All the rest is puffery.

I've traveled a lot with OAT, as a single traveler, and I've never felt like I was given "bad rooms." In fact, my room in Istanbul had the most amazing view of the Blue Mosque, everyone came to visit me to see it!

On the boat portions, we randomly picked our cabins, in the Serengeti, we randomly picked our tent numbers, we arranged ourselves into the cars, etc. Some hotels were better than others, some rooms better. Once my room was awful, and the guide had me moved.

The only perk I ever noticed for the Inner Circle members during the trip was they get a cocktail and a pin and some recognition from the guide. Just like any other "frequent flyer" program. Nice thing, you can earn that status, too, and have serious fun doing so.

I've also enjoyed my fellow OAT travelers. They've been as great as the places I've been on some of my vacations.

My wife and I have traveled with OAT twice: Safari Serengeti in 2010, and Machu Picchu/ Galapagos last month. Both were excellent from accommodations to guides to cultural experiences to food to travel arrangements. Never did singles get inferior rooms, and as stated in a previous post, boat cabin and tent assignments were luck of the draw for singles and couples. Never traveled Grand Circle and am not likely to since they tend to be larger tour groups with more traditional itineraries... not my style. The OAT adventure trips we've taken are 100% OAT tours-- not a middleman as someone has claimed. We will continue to use them for unique travel experiences we would not find elsewhere.

I traveled Grand Circle in November 2011 on the Eastern Europe river cruise. I have no complaints or issues with any part of the trip. Each group had its own Program Director and bus to the dstant tour sites. The only deviation from the itinerary was a motor coach to the Black Sea BECAUSE the Danube River had an extremely low water level. Ths was not the fault of GCT. They were very accommodating. When cruising and the possibility of low water going to Budapest, every aspect of travel, accommodations, etc. was professionally handled. In the end the captain was able to cruise the boat and all land arrangements were cancelled. All travelers were intelligent and understanding regarding the water level. To show good faith GCT gave everyone one of the optional tours free of charge. If you had paid for the opt tour, your account was refunded the money. I would definitely travel the GCT again.

I went on a land/air tour to S.E. Asia as a single. The single supplement was only $50 more than ppdo, and I had the same level of accommodations as the couples. In fact, the hotel we stayed at in Siem Reap is the most beautiful I have ever stayed at, and I'm a world traveler. I was only charged $50 because I requested a roommate and none was available. (The agent told me that, because the trip was limited to a certain number, and I was the last to book.) Having said that, I have to admit that I do not like traveling in a group and being herded from place to place, but the cost of the trip was so low that I didn't go on most excursions with them, but made my own arrangements. To the person who complained about the blind and incontinent people on the tour: shame on you. GCT is geared toward an older crowd. You should be glad that you weren't one of those people, and hopefully you won't be one day. Would you prefer GCT not to accept handicapped travelers? GCT may not be considered budget, but it's certainly reasonable. If you did your research about the ship, you'd know that GCT owns it and that it's not a luxury small ship.

My GCT report:

Just signed up as a satisfied customer for Nova Scotia and Maritime Provinces in August.

Previous trips: Land tours-Eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Rep, etc; Italy: Sorrento-Florence-Siena, etc; Greece: Athens-Rhodes-Crete; Scandinavia: Finland-Norway-Denmark-Sweden

River cruises- Holland & Belgium; Seine River-Normany to Paris; Elbe River-Prague to Hamburg.

Well directed. Reasonably priced. No complaints. Medical assistance needed once with insurance covering. Good memories. Any questions?

Bill in Boston

Count us as very happy GCT/OAT customers. We've been using them since retiring in 2006. We're a mid 60s, married couple and travel both together or solo. Trips taken + booked thru 2013 (so far): (C = couple, S = solo; R = river (where its not apparent); L = land tour)

w/Grand Circle:

Great Rivers (C)
Russia; Moscow/Saint Petersburg (C-R)
Rhine/Mosel (C)
Grand River Cruise (C)
US Western Parks (C-L)
Costa Del Sol/Portugal (C-L)
Italy: Amalfi Coast (C-L)
Northern Italy (S-L)
France - Nice to Paris (C-R)
France - Seine, Paris to Honfleur (C-R)
ADD: GC arranged a highly discounted layover in Paris for us between the 2 French river trips we just completed this past March/April.

w/OAT:

Nepal/Tibet/Bhutan (S-L)
Iceland (S-L)
Australia/New Zealand/Tasmania (Dec '13) (S-L)

We have been extremely happy with GCT/OAT trips and look forward to many more. Safe travels to all .

I have taken 10 OAT tours and would rate all of them as excellent. I have also tried more expensive and less expensive tour companies, and none compared to the OAT quality. I have also gone on a few OAT trips as a single and my accommodations were as lovely as I had when sharing a double. I do not plan to use any company but OAT.

Four of the last six posters are all new and their posts defending GC are their only posts on Fodors. Makes me wonder why. Shills? JM2C.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/grand_circle.html

jacketwatch: It happens on all the fodors boards. OAT/GCT must beg their customers to post glowing reviews. And they never come back to post again. I've noticed that sometimes the Fodors monitors delete the GCT/OAT shills.

This doesn't mean GCT doesn't provide good service/tours - Enough long-registered Fodorites have reported OK experiences. But I know me personally - I'd never take one simply because of the sleazy forum spamming.

They obviously don't realize their 'reviews' don't get the results they expect.

I think you are spot on Janis. The odds of 4 brand new posters all commenting on one thread with their one and only posts are like me beating Michael Jordan in basketball. No way.

GCT does have their backers but also have many detractors as well.

Thank you.

How does posting our experience merit the derogatory classification of being a "shill"? Because it doesn't comport with your viewpoints?

Travel, for most folks, does broaden the mind and expose one to being comfortable with differing cultures, attitudes, opinions and viewpoints. I politely suggest that you try to do more of it.

Another one.

Yep they do have their resources.

Cheers, Larry

Oh and speaking of broadening your mind see the link I provided above. It's a different point of view, one you should appreciate and most probably politely disagree with.

Regards, Larry.

Sorry guys, but my positive June 8 posting was not in the least prompted by GCT and I doubt they have seen it. No begging here. I am simply tired of the negative...and now it seems we have added insinuations to boot.

Larry, your link didn't appear to post. I'm always curious to broaden my horizons.

I'm actually quite curious how GCT handled the recent flood situation on the European rivers. Add that to the European air traffic controllers' strike and one could develop some serious sympathy for the folks caught in the mix.

Thats the topic I was searching for when I tripped over this thread initially.

We just returned from two back to back river trips with a Paris layover arranged by GCT in France March 31-April 28. As usual, we had a great time. We also did a delightful month long Black Sea to North Sea river cruise last September, on the very rivers that have been subject to the current disasters. I am very curious as to how GCT handled the current situation.

I have reviewed Fodor's quite a bit over the years but am not much inclined to be a poster. OPOs (other people's opinions) are interesting to review but not determinative for my travel decisions.

That is especially true when I can base my choices on direct personal experience. Not a terribly illogical approach, one would think.

And yes, I do bear the burden of striving to maintain polite and appropriate manners in all discourse. Whether in dogs, horses or people - breeding does tend to show.

Why was this ancient post brought up again and you all responded to it. Start a new post if you have something new to say, please.

Oxark bill. I wasn't referring to you as you are a long time poster. No issues and sorry for any misunderstanding. I thought when I refered to the bland new posters, one time posters you would see this was not referring to you.

TJ: The link works fine for me.

Your statemnt about breeding is basically a contradiction as in polite discourse there's no place for snide insinuation.

Again, regards, Larry

Typo. I meant "brand" and not "bland"

Bangell is a case in point. Been around for a while but has only posted twice. Both to about GCT

Ozarkbill and a few other Fodorites have posted good and bad about GCT/OAT. Their info is useful.

But the vast majority of GCT posts (easily 90%) are from one-time/only-time posters. They register, post, then disappear (probably to post on other travel websites).

It is those 'shills' who are obviously doing GCT's bidding.

Are we talking about the same company? We have been on 7 OAT trips. The guides have always been superb- I can not imagine any company has better guides. The accommodations are fine for the price - and on our recent pre/base and post trip in Turkey unusually charming. We are serious about food and wine and will take advantage of free nights to find the best local restaurants infrequently visited by tours. in sum we recommend OAT in the highest possible manner. I strongly suggest that you look at their traveler reviews to find out if you are likely to enjoy a particular trip