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.

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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.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...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.

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.