Grand Circle Travel Reviews

347 Congress Street, Boston, MA

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About Grand Circle Travel

Grand Circle Travel creates international travel experiences for older adults. Specializing in river cruises and small group tours, the company offers trips that are culturally immersive. Founded in 1958, Grand Circle Travel focuses on personalized service and educational travel, offering service to destinations across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Pros
  • High-quality service and staff
  • Excellent food and dining options
  • Good value for the price
Cons
  • Inconsistent communication
  • Issues with accommodations
  • Limited responsiveness to complaints

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Grand Circle Travel Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 5
    Online & AppStaff

    Reviewed May 19, 2025

    This was our first river cruise. We usually find a destination we both like, and visit on our own. We traveled on the M/S River Harmony, a very nice ship with a capacity of 140. We were very impressed with our Program Director, who led our smaller group of 42 people. The crew members were absolutely stellar - I can’t think of one complaint about them. Our cabin was 160 square feet with twin beds and a large picture window. The itinerary was especially nice - from Amsterdam to Vienna with many stops in Germany. The food was very good to great and very generous. We are used to eating lighter and earlier, so we had to pace ourselves.

    The two optional tours we took (to Rothenburg and a concert in Vienna) were a lot of fun and well worth the money. The home visit in Wertheim was very enlightening, as were the on-board talks about the destinations on our route. We missed a few activities because we needed to rest. A few things to note: all the cabins have twin beds, and they can’t be combined to make a king. Beds are put up during the day, leaving a small couch (comfortable for sitting, but too small for naps). We are seniors (69 and 73), and many of our fellow passengers were older. However, most were extremely fit and active. The Grand Circle website is very informative about the physical requirements for the trip. We did a lot of walking. I sometimes opted for the “gentle-paced” tours, which were easier for me.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Dec. 23, 2024

    I just was on my 1st River Cruise with Grand Circle / OAT, wasn’t sure what to expect and it blew me away. From the moment you step foot onto the boat until the moment you walk off at the end you will be surrounded by amazing people. My friend and I didn’t arrive until about 11:30pm due to airline issues. Our Program Director was fantastic at answering emails and arranging a bus to pick us up at the airport and taking us to the boat.

    Once we stepped onto the boat, we were greeted by the guy at the desk. He took us to see the lounge, dining room then to our cabins. Each cabin door had a small Christmas stocking on the front. Then he brought each of us a sandwich & salad which was very much appreciated. We each settled into our cabin for the night. In the morning we walked to the dining room for breakfast. They have a really wonderful buffet, fresh fruit, an assortment of hot items, juices, cereals, danish and then there was a guy making fresh omelets which were yummy, Lunch was also a buffet of a guy making something different each day, fresh breads, salad fixings and specials on the menu which you order.

    At dinner the table has a basket of bread or rolls with butter and your waiter will come over to take your order. Everything was plated so nicely and the flavors were perfect. Then there was dessert and coffee. After you walk over to the lounge where you will find fellow cruisers and music to enjoy. There are nights where the crew does a show with skits which were amazing, we had a children’s singing group come in to sing German Christmas songs to us, then 2 songs that we sang with them. There were walking tours, bus tours which were wonderful. They kept us very busy. Highly recommend. You won’t be sorry.

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      StaffProcess

      Reviewed Nov. 12, 2024

      I recently returned from The Seine: from Paris to Normandy cruise. Truly incredible! This was my first ever cruise and from the inception to completion it was a master class in meticulous attention to detail and professionalism. Everything was considered and designed to ensure that each participant had a marvelous experience. The cruise was a total immersion in French culture, from the lectures about the educational system and history of France, to the walks in the various villages and sites, to the lunches and dinners featuring French dishes and wines, to the evening entertainment (concert of French composers, to can-can dancers and more).

      The program directors were exceptional. The depth and breadth of their knowledge from the lectures given onboard (ship and bus) to the walks they led in various villages and communities--they were all quite extraordinary! The food was like dining in a 5-star restaurant due to the quality, variety, and freshness. The chef was amazing. There were always several choices at each meal including a vegetarian one and the chef would fix a modified plate if needed. The desserts were works of art! The wines were from different regions as were the nightly cheeses after dinner.

      The cruise ship was immaculately cleaned, the rooms extremely comfortable (as were the beds) and the ship's crew were all friendly, professional, accommodating and did all of their work with a "joie de vivre" attitude. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience. In fact, there were several travelers in my group on this cruise and we are already planning to take another OATS/GCCL cruise to the south of France. Grand Circle has made me want to be a lifelong customer!

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      Customer ServiceStaffProcess

      Reviewed June 13, 2024

      I just returned from our “Budapest to the Black Sea" cruise. It was a fantastic experience. I certainly did not expect to learn as much as I did. First off, the ship was very comfortable. The rooms were maintained in tip top shape at all times. The beds were comfortable and we had no trouble sleeping whatsoever. Then there was the food. I just can’t believe the talent of these chefs. Each and every plate brought out was a work of art. They always offered several choices, and you could always order salmon or chicken if something on the menu didn’t appeal to you. I ordered salmon once just to try their salmon. Delicious! Their desserts were beautiful. One thing I really liked was that they didn’t try to stuff you. The portion sizes were sensible, although there were a couple times that I probably should have said “Half Portion” just because I didn’t arrive for that meal as hungry as usual.

      Service: The wait staff in the dining room were unbelievable. We would walk in and our iced tea and wine were waiting for us. My wife eats gluten free, and after they knew that, they had gluten free toast waiting for her at breakfast, and gluten free bread at other meals. They took such good care of my wife. The cruise itself was very good, however you must remember that when you travel to Eastern Europe, you are going to learn a lot about communism, tragedy, heartache and cruelty. You will also learn how the people in these countries overcame the evil and returned to the proud countries they used to be.

      The Program Directors were just incredible. They literally became our family. I can’t believe the depth and breadth of their knowledge for countries they have only visited, although each of the four directors were citizens of one of the five countries that we visited. This cruise is different than “The Great Rivers of Europe” cruise that I went on eight years ago. This cruise centered around learning rather than just sightseeing. The people they brought on board to teach us about their country were amazing. It always generated great conversation.

      After ten days on board, we reached the Black Sea. After a champagne toast and a dip in the sea, we were put on a bus to Bucharest, Romania. We stayed in a beautiful Sheraton hotel and had wonderful meals served to us that included local wines. From start to finish, this was a class act. It was also VERY reasonable. I know for a fact that a friend who is in Europe today on a competitor cruise spent more than three times what I spent for this cruise. I cannot see how the accommodations, food or service could have been better on another cruise line. Grand Circle Tours definitely goes the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. You won’t be sorry you booked with them!

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed May 28, 2024

      My recent cruise, "Romance of the Rhine & Mosel" on the MS River Harmony, was my 12th trip with Grand Circle Cruise Line or Overseas Adventure Travel. As a recent widower, this was my first solo cruise and I was concerned that I might not be able to handle the loneliness. As it turned out there was absolutely nothing for me to worry about. The crew, Program Directors, and fellow travelers all made sure that the trip was filled with fun, interesting activities, and well-planned excursions at the various ports of call along the way.

      I was impressed with the fact that the Program Director, Amin **, sent me a long email a few days before my departure, with some current advice about weather and plans with reminders of appropriate articles for me to pack. During the trip, Amin's knowledge, compassion, enthusiasm, management skills, and keen sense humor was the spark that lit up the entire trip. A true gentleman and professional. GCCL is noted for the quality of their employees, and Amin is right at the top. The lounge at the bow was large and comfortable with a well-stocked bar with enough bartenders to keep us all happy. Evening entertainment was always fun and the discussions were timely and informative. There was never a reason to spend time in my cabin (except to sleep).

      The Dining Room at the stern was served by a small galley run by 3 Chefs, 2 Cooks, a Pastry man and 2 Kitchen Stewards. The meals they produced were simply amazing, artfully plated and always prepared to perfection. They were delivered by waiters whose skills and competence made every sitting a successful one. GCCL has the right to claim to be the best. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. YES, I would and have recommended them to friends.

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      Staff

      Reviewed May 13, 2025

      Paris was our gathering place to begin the Lyon to Toulouse Rhone River cruise. We were only there for 2 nights, one of which was spent trying to acclimate to the new time zone. Next time, I will take advantage of the "arrive early" option. I had never been to Paris and was really hoping we might have a quick drive through Paris to see a few of the highlights, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Louvre, etc. I spoke to our Trip Leader, Armelle, and she very kindly told me that if a few others cared to go, she would take us by Metro after our Welcome Dinner to a place where we could see the Eiffel Tower. It was amazing!! I was so impressed with her willingness to do that! I must say, she was one of the very best TLs ever!! Thanks, Armelle for a wonderful trip.

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      Customer ServiceStaffProcess

      Reviewed May 6, 2025

      My trip to Sicily & Malta was fantastic from start to finish. Learning about ancient to present cultures is fascinating and humbling. There are many, many UNESCO World Heritage sites in both Sicily and Malta, such as Villa Romana del Casale, Agrigento, Valletta and Hagar Qim Temple. To be able to travel to them and see these sites with an experienced guide is life-changing. I also appreciated the controversial conversations with experts provided in both locations. It is always good to have "both sides of the story." The "Learning and Discovery" experiences were varied, including local food and drink, dinner with a local musician and a Sicilian Puppet discussion with a local family.

      The accommodations and included meals were excellent. Many places on our itinerary were within walking distance of the hotels. The most enjoyable portion of the trip was the home-hosted lunch. To meet and break bread with a local family is priceless. What better way to learn about a culture than over a meal?

      Our program director was well-organized and ensured all special requests from various group members were met. She was positive, energetic and ensured all group members were being included and happy. Our local guides were outstanding, knowledgeable and happy to answer any and all questions. I would highly recommend this "active" adventure to anyone looking to see ancient cities, beautiful blue skies, blue water, green rolling hillsides and enjoy delicious and unique foods and beverages.

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      Reviewed May 5, 2025

      This was my first river cruise and first time in France. What a great introduction to river cruising and France! Our first stop was Toulouse, where we enjoyed a great tour of the city and got over jet lag. We then went by comfortable bus to Arles, where we boarded our ship. It was Easter weekend and our guide made sure that we got a flavor of the city during this important holiday for the residents. We sailed on the MS Chanson on the Rhone River. The ship was spotless, the crew members were attentive and pleasant, the food was excellent, our program guide, Lionel, was fantastic and our excursions were interesting and varied.

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      Staff

      Reviewed May 5, 2025

      Grand Circle Cruise Line takes care of their customers from before the journey begins to the very end as evidenced by Simone **. The food served by Executive Chef Marion was excellent on M/S River Harmony throughout and the variety of activities combined with enrichment talks was great. Staff and crew are keenly attuned to their passengers on a well-appointed ship that is both well-maintained and extremely clean. We were taken care of by our cabin steward, Marian, and dining room staff, Nelina and Astor very well. I can not speak highly enough of GCCL’s staff and crew on M/S River Harmony, they are exemplary people.

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      StaffProcess

      Reviewed April 14, 2025

      I had a fabulous time on the MS River Aria on the Holland & Belgium in Spring time cruise the first week of April 2025. The staff was amazing and so attentive. Our Program Director, Bob, was a wealth of knowledge and fun. The accommodations were very nice, and the food was very good as well. I had an wonderful trip, and look forward to future GCCL river cruises!

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      Grand Circle Travel Company Information

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