CathyJ528

I took a river cruise in the South of France with Grand Circle Travel this past Christmas. On the very first night of the cruise, I was sexually groped by the Hotel Manager, Mario, as I was trying to get into my room!! I was totally shocked and in disbelief and was able to get into my room after I pushed him off me. Since he was in charge and this was such a small ship, there was no one I could tell and I was also afraid at what he might do. I notified GCT when I returned to the States, and I got jerked around for 5 months by two top reps there. I finally got a letter from GCT five months later stating that the hotel manager denied the accusations (of course he did, he’s married) and they put him on probation (slap on the hand). They also stated that they didn’t feel I was entitled to any any sort of compensation. Not only was this trip expensive, it was my first trip to Europe and my whole trip was ruined by the hotel manager, an employee of GCT! I was humiliated and embarrassed. It got to the point where I had my roommate go to the front desk to get our room keys, etc. since the manager was always at the desk. This jerk continued to flirt with me the entire week even though I was very cold to him, so I was extremely uncomfortable the whole week. And being such a small ship, I didn’t want to cause a scene; I didn’t know what he would do! I would never travel with GCT again. Single women, beware, GCT has no respect for our safety, well being or feelings! This behavior might be ok in France, but not here in the States, and this should not be tolerated by an American-based company!

katybird

I traveled with GCT to Egypt and Jordan so I know somewhat how their tours work.
I certainly think you could have and should have told your program director. The program directors for our tour did everything in their power above and beyond the call of duty to make our trip enjoyable. This type of thing is best taken care of immediately.
I am so sorry you had to go through this.

jacketwatch

I can't imagine why they would put Mario on probation AND still refuse you any sort of compensation. If they took this action against him they surely had a reason(s) to do so, Therefore there must have been something credible that you said. I think either they are lying to you about this or they are being, well cheap. Why do I believe you? Because I have seen many posts here about GCT and it seems either you love them or hate them. The former group seems to often run to their defense whenever something negative about them is posted. Yet how many other tour cos. seem to have this polarizing effect on their clients? You read it time and again about GCT. They seems to have spectacular successes with the all too often failure that seems to show or point to a business culture which at times shows disdain to its clients. There must be a reason for these complaints. JM2C.

CathyJ528

Yes, I probably should've reported the incident to the program director, but being such a small ship, I was afraid at what recourse Mario would take, especially since I had to face him every day of the cruise. I was also embarrassed and humiliated. GCT in general does not handle any sort of complaints fairly or with respect. I can only say I would never travel with them again and warn women of the type of crew they have!

clarasong

Got to second the opinion that 'when they are good, they are very very good, and when they are bad, they are horrid." We have had several experiences with them, but the last two left us completely disgusted...yes, I know that ...happens, but the way it is ignored and/or mishandled has left them with a very poor reputation...the BBB of Boston threw them out some time ago, and we met several people on our very recent trip who had bad experiences, one most memorable was a family in China and how GCT dropped the ball, left them is sort of the lurch...anyway, if you google "complaints against Grand Circle," you will be amazed.

Arizona07

Cathy,
Sorry for the experience you had. Why did you wait 5 months to tell us about it? (In fact, why tell us about it at all?)

Didn't you just carry your own room key with you? I would have been afraid to leave my key at the desk where the manager who assaulted you was always on duty.

desertduds

Arizona07, we've been on two rivercruises and they always have you leave your room key when you go ashore. They keep them behind the reception counter and that way they know whether you have returned to the boat.

capecod12

Hi Cathy, I can see that this happened aboard a ship quite a while ago, however, I had something similar happen recently. The name of the Hotel Manager is the same, Mario, but on another ship but don't want to go into details unless I hear back from you. Would just like to find out if it might be the same person I'm sure you can understand. Thank you.

southeastern

You didn't want to cause a scene? The whole world would have known! I would have screamed, told every single person aboard and insisted they call head quarters immediately. What do you mean "didn't want to cause a scene." You didn't say your age but I'm assuming you aren't a teenager. He would have stayed clear of me when I finished with him. Something is fishy here.

southeastern

Just noticed, very old post and the only post.

capecod12

Yes, it is a very old post and best to let it be but thank you for your input. I did not have the same experience as Cathy exactly so I shall forget about it unless she answers me and was not quite the same thing or I would have made a big deal out of it trust me.