Vantage Cruises
 

Reading other messages, it seems that there are "issues" with Vantage cruises. What are they? I had one cruise with them and was satisfied but it was my first European River cruise, so I had no comparison.

Vantage and Grand Circle are owned by brothers. They are in the 'high volume' travel business, and offer a variety of trips, excursions, cruises, etc. Many people have had satisfactory experiences, and have spoken highly of these companies. Unfortunately, they don't always deliver as promised, and when things go wrong, they go very wrong. Sadly, they have been often accused of unscrupulos business practices, have encurred many lawsuits, etc., and GCT has, in fact, been thrown out of the BBB, at least in Boston, their home state. I believe OAT is also part of that group. Be sure to do a little research, and read carefully refund/disclaimer policies if you go. Also, it would seem hight advisable to put your expenses, as much as allowed, on a credit card, in case of disputes with the company down the line. That way, you have recourse to withhold balances, excessive fees, etc.

I have taken two delightful Vantage river cruises and one land tour (Croatia) and am currently scheduled for another trip. The river cruises could hardly have been better, with excellent tour directors, wonderful food, interesting land excursions, very clean ships, and fine service. I have not travelled with the Grand Circle parent company but I have taken several wonderful Overseas Adventure Travel trips. Sometimes I wonder whether some of these very negative posts are written by competitors.

We went to South America with Vantage in October 2006. It was so wonderful and we are taking their Russian Hotel/River tour in June 2007.

Threre is another thread here (Vantage travel) that covers some of the issues with Vantage, and it's 'brother' company, Grand Circle Travel.