Grand Circle Travel

Grand Circle Travel

347 Congress Street, Boston, MA

 2.0/5 (128 reviews)

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Overall Rating2.0 out of 5
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About Grand Circle Travel

Grand Circle Travel Reviews

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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
Rated with 2 stars
Verified Reviewer
Original review: Jan. 23, 2023

Recently cruised with GCT and they failed to comply with their stated regulations regarding Covid protocols. Temperatures of travelers were NEVER taken on the cruise, and, although ship was approximately 1/2 full, only approximately 1/2 of the tables were being utilized. That doesn't make sense since using them all would have limited the number of passengers occupying them, thus limiting exposure. My wife and I would have been able to have a table to ourselves, not because we are anti-social, but because we would have been safer. In addition, a local restaurant lunch was packed full of passengers with food being served right under their noses.

Two stars ONLY because of the excellent treatment we were given by our program directors both during the cruise and after I contracted Covid. Yes, my wife and I had to leave mid-way through the cruise and were quarantined for 8 days at a hotel. Quite frankly, I don't know if I was infected by other passengers (there were others on the same cruise that came down with Covid before I did) or if I infected others. Surely taking temperatures and separating tables would have helped tremendously.

Grand Circle Travel response

Thank you for your candid review. GCT takes feedback from its customers very seriously and we are sorry to learn of your unfortunate experience. We will be sure to share your experience with our executive team.

10 people found this review helpful
Rated with 5 stars
Verified Reviewer
Original review: Jan. 10, 2023

This tour was phenomenal from the beginning to the end! The view of the mountains and Grand Canyon was breathtaking! The bus driver, Wayne, could not have been any better! He provided us with so much information. He was warm and concerned about the experience of the customers on the tour. Lunch was provided in the cost. There was a stop at the Hoover Dam to view the dam. I could not have asked for a better experience! Kiddos to the bus drive for being SO informative!! Would take take this tour all over again!

Grand Circle Travel response

Thank you for the kind words! We're very glad to hear that you enjoyed your vacation with us.

3 people found this review helpful

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    Rated with 2 stars
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Oct. 3, 2022

    We have just returned from our 6th, and probably last, Grand Circle tour. They have provided great service in the past, but this tour was bad. The Tour guide read from a book, did little guiding on site and was mainly interested in getting us back on the bus. It felt like a school tour where I had the least interested parent supervising me. Our buses had problems; the drivers were pulled from retirement and were unfamiliar with the vehicles. We ran off the road and almost flipped--and Grand Circle did NOTHING. Poor food, poor guidance and no involvement from the guide or the Company.

    Completely different, and highly disappointing, from previous trips. I read that the company is being sold to some type of Holding Company--that may explain it. The main thing I have to say to others is: There are many tour Companies out there, now is the time to dismiss GCT and try someone else. I cannot force any reason they would improve from this point. I am disappointed, disgruntled and dissatisfied; I didnt spend money to get this treatment; I could have done better on my own!

    40 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Sept. 20, 2022

    I booked a river cruise with GCT because their COVID protocols were strong ... on paper. Not only did GCT require vaccination, including a booster, paperwork sent to me in my final packet, one week before departure, stated GCT policy "G.C.C.L requires all travelers wear facemasks when in public spaces while on board the ship and/or while traveling in a coach bus." This company policy was the reason I booked with them in the first place, because, as we all know, vaccinations may keep one out of the hospital but does NOT keep one from contracting COVID.

    Two days before departure, it was a call from the Program Director in Romania who informed me that masks were no longer required. And this information was only transmitted because I raised the subject. He tried to justify the change as one of a country change but I read him the GCT policy which I received in writing as part of my final trip documents. I received no corrected, printed information, no email, no telephone call, informing me of GCT's policy change. It's equivalent to changing a flight schedule and not informing the ticketed passenger.

    In a telephone call to GCT I was told the company policy had changed but the paperwork had not been updated. They refuse to accept their responsibility to inform me, in order to allow me to make the decision regarding my exposure. An offer of a certificate for future travel with a company I no longer trust is unacceptable. I feel like I was duped by a bait and switch and wonder how many others were caught in the same scheme. I feel I was defrauded and the company has been unethical in their dealings.

    34 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: Aug. 24, 2022

    Avoid like the plague! Absolutely the worst travel agency in the business… the service is virtually nonexistent and if you need to contact them, be prepared to spend hours listening to their recorded music after which the line will probably go dead. They tied up over $10,000 of our money on a trip they canceled because the cruise line they offered us had Russian links. And then it took them over 3 months to give us back our money which they did only after numerous phone call attempts and letters to management. Avoid the grief and go elsewhere to a reputable business at the outset.

    41 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: July 19, 2022

    My cruise was cancelled by the company because do not have enough people, asking for refund but never get an answer. Try to call this phone number 1-800-221-0814/1-877-220-2610, holding for 2 hours cannot get a connection, if The Cruise Company cancel the trip they should automatically refund your money, finally I have through the credit card company to dispute payment.

    47 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: July 7, 2022

    They have made it impossible to contact them about anything. 2 hour wait for phone contact. No answer to emails or snail mail. They sent me an unitemized bill for $650 for a trip I'd been notified had been completely paid for. I've tried to reach by each way listed without success. Don't do business with these people. They are completely incompetent at this point. The best they do is send a canned letter saying how sorry they are that they are behind in correspondence because of having to frequently change airline reservations for various tours. That's no excuse for not responding to paid customer's inquiries.

    40 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
    Original review: June 14, 2022

    Booked Iceland Greenland trip this year. GCT cancelled the Greenland portion. Terms indicate if they cancel you get a refund. You can also reevaluate if you want to cancel the total trip. We plan to go to Iceland. Asked for refund and got a credit instead. $7000 in their pocket. I called, sent letters, asking for a refund. It’s their terms. No answer. I don’t want to be obligated to Grand Circle. They appear to be having problems, long waits on the phone. I am still pursuing my refund.

    45 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: June 8, 2022

    Our 2020 tour has been re-booked to 2022. But we need to cancel. It is impossible to reach this company. They had no number call back policy and I have been on hold 1/2 hr. 4x. I was told last year I could not cancel the trip and they rescheduled it but now I cannot even reach them to find out if I can change the trip. I had always heard this was a good company but clearly it is no longer good. How Can I Get $$ back?? How can I reach them??

    38 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: June 6, 2022

    This company must not have enough staffing. They also operate overseas travel adventures. They have changed our river cruise a couple of times. We are only a month out. When you try to contact someone by phone. You are on hold for 2-3 hours. UNACCEPTABLE!! They don’t have any way to contact them. Even email or call back. This is my first experience with them. I would not recommend the company.

    37 people found this review helpful
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    Grand Circle Travel Company Information

    Company Name:
    Grand Circle Travel
    Website:
    www.gct.com