Beware of Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel
Jun 17th, 2013, 12:00 PM
#83
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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.
Jun 17th, 2013, 12:13 PM
#84
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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.
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.
Jun 17th, 2013, 01:10 PM
#86
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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
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
Jun 18th, 2013, 09:17 AM
#88
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.
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.
Jun 19th, 2013, 09:38 AM
#89
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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
Jun 23rd, 2013, 05:35 PM
#91
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There usually isn't much middle ground when things go wrong on a vacation.
A bad guide, a big delay that makes you miss your tour, cruise, no luggage the whole time, disappointing cancellation, etc. can really wreck things and upset everyone.
OAT/GCT certainly get complaints from some; I've read them, but I've never had any problem with them. Most of their issues seem to stem from the main office; you have to remember that their sales people are not tour guides, and aren't experts. Doing some of your own research is always a good idea.
If you want to specifically see a certain museum or site, make sure it will be open the day you will be there. Sometimes the local guides change the itinerary a bit to account for weekends, closed days, etc. If you have your own agenda, make independent plans and go do your own thing instead of being a grumpy group member.
Be sure you understand the cancellation/refund policy, and get insurance. OAT does seem to have listened to the complaints. They have changed their air policy so you can make your own air travel plans and arrive earlier/stay later/use miles, etc. Big improvement. They seem to have changed the way they book pre/post trips. You used to pick a main trip, sign up for the pre/post, and hope there were enough folks to make them a go. Now they limit the pre/post availability to help avoid that, and signing up for the pre/post is mandatory if you pick that date.
I never experienced any hassle about traveling as a solo, but they do limit them on some trips. After being on a few, I can see why. Cabins on the small boats are limited, and if you only put one single guest into each one, you can't take very many travelers. The company needs to have a certain number in a group to cover the costs. There are only so many tents available in the Serengeti, too. On our Africa trip, we had two singles who were in their own tents, and two of us paired up by OAT. The rest were couples or friends traveling together. On trips where you stay only in land hotels it's probably not as big of a problem. As with anything else, the earlier you sign up, the more choices you have.
I've traveled with OAT to Turkey, Egypt, Serengeti, MP/Galapagos, and enjoyed each trip. They were reasonably priced, good guides, decent accommodations, organized. I'm actually a fairly independent traveler; the Turkey tour was my first ever group tour, and I LOVED it.
Turkey is a large country with somewhat limited transportation (to the ancient sites) and I would have never seen so many places in such a short time doing it solo. I did stay after for 5 days and rent a car to visit some sites we did't see and had fun with that as well. I would NEVER recommend visiting Egypt/Jordan solo, especially as a female. Just getting from Cairo to Alexandria and back on the train was an ordeal, and that was before all the unrest started.
You have to join a safari group in Africa if you're a solo unless you are independently wealthy. Our guides used to work for A&K and treated us like first class passengers all the way. You can do Peru on your own, but you'd have to sign up for a Galapagos excursion with a boat, so we opted for the ease of having it all planned out for us.
OAT travelers aren't all old, I was in my 40's when I started traveling with them. I took my 13yo DD with me to Egypt/Jordan and she loved it. Others in our group were mid 80's and some of the most interesting, fit people I've met in years, and they loved having DD along. The Peru/Galapagos trip had us- 50's plus two 18yo's and a big family from 40's to 70's. We had a blast.
A bad guide, a big delay that makes you miss your tour, cruise, no luggage the whole time, disappointing cancellation, etc. can really wreck things and upset everyone.
OAT/GCT certainly get complaints from some; I've read them, but I've never had any problem with them. Most of their issues seem to stem from the main office; you have to remember that their sales people are not tour guides, and aren't experts. Doing some of your own research is always a good idea.
If you want to specifically see a certain museum or site, make sure it will be open the day you will be there. Sometimes the local guides change the itinerary a bit to account for weekends, closed days, etc. If you have your own agenda, make independent plans and go do your own thing instead of being a grumpy group member.
Be sure you understand the cancellation/refund policy, and get insurance. OAT does seem to have listened to the complaints. They have changed their air policy so you can make your own air travel plans and arrive earlier/stay later/use miles, etc. Big improvement. They seem to have changed the way they book pre/post trips. You used to pick a main trip, sign up for the pre/post, and hope there were enough folks to make them a go. Now they limit the pre/post availability to help avoid that, and signing up for the pre/post is mandatory if you pick that date.
I never experienced any hassle about traveling as a solo, but they do limit them on some trips. After being on a few, I can see why. Cabins on the small boats are limited, and if you only put one single guest into each one, you can't take very many travelers. The company needs to have a certain number in a group to cover the costs. There are only so many tents available in the Serengeti, too. On our Africa trip, we had two singles who were in their own tents, and two of us paired up by OAT. The rest were couples or friends traveling together. On trips where you stay only in land hotels it's probably not as big of a problem. As with anything else, the earlier you sign up, the more choices you have.
I've traveled with OAT to Turkey, Egypt, Serengeti, MP/Galapagos, and enjoyed each trip. They were reasonably priced, good guides, decent accommodations, organized. I'm actually a fairly independent traveler; the Turkey tour was my first ever group tour, and I LOVED it.
Turkey is a large country with somewhat limited transportation (to the ancient sites) and I would have never seen so many places in such a short time doing it solo. I did stay after for 5 days and rent a car to visit some sites we did't see and had fun with that as well. I would NEVER recommend visiting Egypt/Jordan solo, especially as a female. Just getting from Cairo to Alexandria and back on the train was an ordeal, and that was before all the unrest started.
You have to join a safari group in Africa if you're a solo unless you are independently wealthy. Our guides used to work for A&K and treated us like first class passengers all the way. You can do Peru on your own, but you'd have to sign up for a Galapagos excursion with a boat, so we opted for the ease of having it all planned out for us.
OAT travelers aren't all old, I was in my 40's when I started traveling with them. I took my 13yo DD with me to Egypt/Jordan and she loved it. Others in our group were mid 80's and some of the most interesting, fit people I've met in years, and they loved having DD along. The Peru/Galapagos trip had us- 50's plus two 18yo's and a big family from 40's to 70's. We had a blast.
Jul 25th, 2013, 04:25 PM
#92
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I have gone on 2 GCT Cruises and booked another trip this June. First trip was by myself and had the same accommodations as everyone else. Always had room that I picked at booking time. Last year they were over booked and called us up to consider changing plans. We said no thanks and that was fine..this year, they called because of over booking and we took the change. We were offered $500 each for the change. Not only did we book for next year but got upgraded in cabin but got $1000. Refunded.. I have met so many people on these trips that love OAT/ GCT and have gone on more than 10 vacations with them. The crew couldn't be better and since I haven't had a problem I do recommend them. Sorry you had an issue with them.
Jul 26th, 2013, 01:28 PM
#94
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Barbara, I'm sorry you feel you didn't have a great experience. I can say with total confidence that I've had a great experience every time I have traveled with OAT. It has been four times so far, and all four of them have been as a single. One of them was also the trip to Turkey that included an amazing cruise off the southern coast of that incredible country, and all the cabins were virtually the same. I've always had good rooms, and in Stresa, Italy, I actually had one of the most amazing rooms I've ever stayed in. . . and I've traveled a lot. Furthermore, any time I've been on one of their trips and someone wasn't happy, the tour guide knocked themselves out to make the client happy, which, inevitably, they always were. My aunt has gone on five equally amazing trips with them, and is going on their Vietnamese trip this fall, also as a single. They must be doing something right, because she has literally traveled with almost every major tour company. . . . hope things improve for you.
Jul 26th, 2013, 01:45 PM
#95
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Barbara, I'm sorry you feel you didn't have a great experience. I can say with total confidence that I've had a great experience every time I have traveled with OAT. It has been four times so far, and all four of them have been as a single. One of them was also the trip to Turkey that included an amazing cruise off the southern coast of that incredible country, and all the cabins were virtually the same. I've always had good rooms, and in Stresa, Italy, I actually had one of the most amazing rooms I've ever stayed in. . . and I've traveled a lot. Furthermore, any time I've been on one of their trips and someone wasn't happy, the tour guide knocked themselves out to make the client happy, which, inevitably, they always were. My aunt has gone on five equally amazing trips with them, and is going on their Vietnamese trip this fall, also as a single. They must be doing something right, because she has literally traveled with almost every major tour company. . . . hope things improve for you.
Jul 27th, 2013, 08:30 AM
#97
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I seem to notice that the people who hop onto the Forum for one time only are those who have a complaint. Also, Grand Circle in now rated A+ by the BBB in Boston. All complaints were several years in the past and have long been resolved. I will soon be leaving for my 16th trip with OAT and have never had a complaint.
Jul 27th, 2013, 02:00 PM
#98
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This is true but also there are those who are one time posters who shill for a company. There are quite a few on this thread. If GCT is as you say then no shilling is needed. They can and should stand on their own merits. JM2C.
Sep 6th, 2013, 02:38 PM
#99
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I agree with Piperpat. Grand Circle and Overseas Adventure Travel got an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau in 2012:
http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-r...oston-ma-3848/
Part of the accreditation process includes how responsive they are to complaints & issues. This particular thread was started over 2 years ago. Despite the original post, the more recent posters with issues have indicated that they got satisfactory resolutions and/or had great experiences. So, it looks like they're moving in the right direction.
http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-r...oston-ma-3848/
Part of the accreditation process includes how responsive they are to complaints & issues. This particular thread was started over 2 years ago. Despite the original post, the more recent posters with issues have indicated that they got satisfactory resolutions and/or had great experiences. So, it looks like they're moving in the right direction.
Sep 6th, 2013, 02:56 PM
#100
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Its nice to see that there are some who realize that GCT had issues and are working to resolve them as opposed to those who have turned a blind eye to the many complaints over the yrs. and cheer lead no matter what. I am glad they are moving forward in the right direction. Keep it up!
