Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Negative experience: Last year they cancelled cruise because ship was not delivered...now they are bankrupt! Had my money for over two years!

Negative experience: We still have a very bad experience with this travel agency. Last month, we scheduled a trip to Germany, and they canceled it. We requested our money back, but they are taking their time to give it back. We just learned that this agency is very close to bankrupting and thay took our money anyways knowing that they are in trouble.

Negative experience: Bankrupt.

Negative experience: They are not honest about their current financial situation. Complaints from customers waiting 2 years to get a refund, pending class action, and filings with MA Attorney General. Cancelled cruises, substituted alternative cruises without prior notice and supposedly their own ships are dockedandvthey just laid off employees.

Negative experience: Took a trip with Vantage. They cancelled an extension to Easter Island that we paid for in 2021. We are still waiting for our refund for the extension that Vantage cancelled.

Negative experience: It’s a shame that a once respected travel agency would outright steal from trusting customers! Customers who’ve been loyal to this company for many years only to have Vantage take advantage of them because that’s what’s happening now in 2023! Whatever reputable good standings they once had is now diminished! So here’s what should be noted and passed around, please do not give your money hard earned money away to a company that will literally not give you the trips of a lifetime like they promise! Don’t do it! Please read these reviews because not everyone is wrong and once Vantage has your money, it’s gone forever! Maybe the customers may get a partial refund but the silence from Vantage shows me they have no intention in giving any money back! So please do not book with them there’s plenty of other travel agencies that make good on their promises!

Negative experience: Give us our money back!

Negative experience: They keep canceling trips, but keep booking new ones and will not refund customers money for canceled cruises. Do not use this cruise line!

Negative experience: We had a wonderful experience traveling with Vantage in 2019. The trip we scheduled for May, 2023, however, was canceled the day before we were to leave. We have not had any communication with Vantage and they have not offered to rent refund our trip costs. It is my understanding that Vantage has continued to book a trips for customers even though they are aware those trips will never take place.

Negative experience: My trip was cancelled 24 hours before my flight. After leaving multiple messages on all their phones, no one ever responds. I have received responses to email, but no refund yet. Alliance insurance isn’t any help either. Such a disgrace. Is there a lawyer willing to start a lawsuit?

Negative experience: Buyer Beware - DO NOT pay via a bank transfer. Book somewhere else! We booked three reservations for the River Splendor for a April 10th 2023 sailing. Vantage cancelled this sailing on us March 29th giving us an option to rebook, or receive a refund. We chose the refund option and advised a Vantage representative no later than April 4th 2023 of this fact. Its now June 1st and Vantage has not provided this refund due to their own cancellation and claim they cannot advise when it will be refunded. This is unacceptable! I work within the Travel industry. River Cruise companies are generally able to provide refunds within 7-10 days now that the Covid fiasco is behind us. If your crazy enough to book with Vantage make sure your paying via a credit card vs. a bank transfer no matter what their sales representatives advise.

Negative experience: Vantage continues to sell trips for ships that they no longer operate. They continue to cancel trips immediately before they are scheduled to depart. They then offer refunds that are never issued or a credit toward a future trip that will also be cancelled. They are a failing company that now is just a Ponzi scheme. This is unfortunate. Before COVID and their financial difficulties they had a very good reputation.

Negative experience: Do not book with Vantage. Trips are being cancelled with short or no notice and refunds are hard to come by. I paid by credit card and was able to get a refund by disputing my charges. Within 2 weeks of the dispute, Vantage credited my credit card.

Negative experience: My husband and I had to cancel a trip with Vantage travel due to his health. We did purchase the insurance. We filed the came 2-22-2023 and have yet to get our money back. The insurance company approved the claim and sent it to Vantage to pay us. Talked to Vantage several time and were always told they were behind in paying. Well just today they say they have never received notice from insurance company to pay the claim. So I was back to the insurance company saying they will send again. So as of today it has been 3 months and still our money has not been returned to us. That money could have made us several hundred dollars in interest by now and do you think Vantage would have let us go 3 months past due in paying them. Most certainly not. Update today June 20 still no money from vantage

Negative experience: We booked a Douro River Cruise in June 2021 with the Medeira extension and were assured if we changed our mind they would return that portion of our payment. We have been waiting since then with no refund yet! Each time I call they tell me "it's in the pipeline". This is NOT a huge amount of money but it's impossible to get anyone at Vantage to give me any idea when we can expect it!? Today when I called they hund up on me!! This is incredible!! Why are people still booking with them!???

Positive experience: Ocean Odyssey ship and crew were great..however our last 2 days in Rome are filled with uncertainty . We were broken up into 6 hotels(supposed to be togeter in a 5 Star)..cancelled excursion and the city host has no information from Vantage on Airport transportation..farewell dinner..and some guests who's next trips got canceled don't yet have airline tickets home. I'm not going on future Vantage trips and their communications team is very poor. Chao

Negative experience: Office is shutdown, phone number disconnected. They ran off with the money and cancelled everything with no refund or notice. Scam beware they take your money and won’t return it. Should be investigated for fraud by the attorney general.

Negative experience: RECENTLY MANY, if not all trips with this provider have been canceled. We made a reservation in August, 2022. Our May 18th trip was cancelled May 12th. Do not pay CASH (they are offering a 25% discount if you pay cash) as getting refunds has been very difficult. The company appears to be in financial distress.

Negative experience: Use this company with extreme caution. If you do use this company, inform the American Consulate in whatever country you are visiting of your travel plans. It may save your life. My mother booked a trip to Africa with Vantage. Less than a week into the trip she became severely ill. The tour guide arranged for a ride to the local hospital and then left with the rest of the tour and did not contact her emergency contact. A day later my mom was able to get a text out to me asking for help. I could not get ahold of Vantage and their emergency line hung up on me. I had to get the American Consulate involved to get her help. Five days later Vantage calls to say she is fine and will be discharged, all of which is not true as I had been in contact with doctor treating her. Vantage also claimed they were making travel arrangements for her to return to the US, but we never heard back. I had to make the arrangements. Once they have your money, you are on your own.

Negative experience: Our cruise that was supposed to leave April 1, 2023 was cancelled March 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm by voicemail. As of today I have not received a refund nor any correspondence. We were so disappointed, but now we are getting mad, we feel we have been cheated out of almost $10,000.

Negative experience: This is the worst company I have ever felt with. Due to my husbands illness we were not able to go on cruise Our insurance company said they have approved the cancellation and Vantage should be refunding our 9400.00 It has been months and haven't been able to get anyone to answer the phone at any of the options Terrible service. I would never recommend this cruise line

Negative experience: I've been following some public stories about the company. They claim they had a ransomware attack two weeks ago. People have gone to the airport and reservations that they originally had were canceled and some people are referencing trips that were canceled by Vantage and a refund was never given. Some have been waiting for 3 years. I've lost some confidence in the company

Negative experience: May 5, 2023. Supposed to fly out tomorrow to Venice. Vantage has me booked on flights out of Boston and New York. No one answers the phone. I am so done with these people.

Negative experience: I took an Antarctica cruise with Vantage in Jan of 2023. Trying to get them on the phone for questions and possible changes is a nightmare! Hold times of over 3 hours and no answer. Sent them email and also to the president of Vantage and no response. The trip itself was great and everyone on our trip was complaining about how you can't talk to anyone after you booked for questions. I had a friend that had to cancel and she had purchased the $2,100 insurance that Vantage offered thru Allianz Insurance and still has not received any reimbursement and Allianz keeps telling her she has to contact Vantage which is impossible. SO DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!!!!

Negative experience: Disasters

Negative experience: Don’t ever book a trip with Vantage!! After Back surgery and Drs letter and Insurance! Months later still can’t get a refund!!Times must be hard!! So they’re using our money! Where we could be drawing off of it!! They could save money by not sending booklets twice a week!!Im sure they DON’T hand write the checks! That their excuse shot on help! What are computers for!! IRS send millions in a every shot time!! So what is your next excuse!!!! Plus they are the ones that canceled my trip 3 times when I was able to go!!

Negative experience: Very difficult to do business with. Phone lines are always busy and obviously they don’t have enough help. Getting a refund on cancelled trip is nearly impossible

Negative experience: Vantage cancelled a trip from Mumbai to Dubai scheduled for April 2023 to June 2023! I had a trip already scheduled and requested a refund! To date I have not received my money and no explanation as to when I will receive my refund!!!! This is not acceptable as Vantage had no difficulty in collecting my money but can’t seem to return it !!!!!!

Negative experience: CROOKS! Purchased a river cruise trip in Jan. ‘22. In Feb, the war broke out in Ukraine and we decided to cancel due to the instability in the region. After all, we purchased the “cancel for any reason” insurance. Vantage approved the request for refund but won’t issue it. They state “due to Covid staffing shortages, refunds are being issued in the order they were received”. The list must be miles long because It’s been over a year now and I receive the same message every other week when I check on the status. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS. Zero integrity. Surprised they’re even still in business. It’s a Ponzi scheme!!!!

Negative experience: Are they still in business??? Have a trip coming but they don't answer the phone and web page is gone.

Negative experience: If a rating could be ZERO stars, Vantage should be given it. What may have been once a well regarded travel company, now is unscrupulous and needs to be investigated. They are an excellent marketing machine, with which sells a defined product (travel tour/cruise), then gets away by delivering something completely different. They are able to do this, as they rely on their legal-eze in their T&Cs. For example, you buy a trip from A to B, with clearly defined included activities/excursions. Then Vantage “changes” this to be from B to C, with completely different stops and eliminates most of the activities/excursions, or lists a few as “optional” for additional money. Because Vantage has “changed” the trip, instead of cancelling the trip, within the minimum amount of time to cancel, 60 days, as per their T&Cs, you are left with no options. This is what has happened to us and countless others over the recent many months. What was bought was 10 nights on a 5star level ship, with 21 excursions, local entertainment, cooking demonstrations, included crew tips and pre-post hotel stays with activities/meals. Then less than 60 days before departure, Vantage cancelled the original and created the new: 8 nights with 1-2star service 6 excursions, no demonstrations or entertainment, 1 included pre, and no post activities or meals. Crew tips were also charged at 20pp per day. As they labelled this as change, and making it less than 60 days out, they would not allow us to do anything without loosing all of our money. Thus we had to make brand new airline reservations, at considerable extra cost. The trip was a bust. Many things on the ship did not work, we were required to conserve water for 2 days, with no ice available. Yes, we were literally asked to not flush toilets. The excuses made were that due to going into US waters, there were requirements regarding the filtration system. However, they had done this cruise the previous fall, and pre-COVID. Most passengers believe it was just another way to whittle their costs. Other cost savings approaches VANTAGE used on included: cutting excursions, using lower quality food (for example fake orange juice, cheap veggies, canned fruit, cheap ice cream, cheap fish), no entertainment, no company support, no welcome dinner, etc. On the last day of the cruise, we literally just stopped in the middle of the Amazon shipping lane and floated to waste time. BOTTOM LINE: DO NOT BOOK OR GIVE ANY MONEY TO THIS COMPANY. IF you feel tempted, look up the reviews on YELP, BBB, CC.

Negative experience: 24 hours before we board the flight to Europe, the e-mail comes in and tells us the whole trip is cancelled,river cruise, tours,pre trip extension, etc. Travel insurance company knew about it but no real help.

Negative experience: Today, April 23rd 2023.. I just received an email from my trip leader that my hurtigrutin cruise on the 30th of April has been canceled. No word from Vantage! Their website is down! Maybe intentionally! Nothing but trouble from this travel company.

Negative experience: Horrible experience!!! We were scheduled to fly to the Netherlands for a River cruise and they called and canceled our trip one day before we were to leave - I went out to my account and the trip just disappeared - no record of paying $4500 for a trip that was cancelled -I tried to call and was on hold for over an hour before a rep answered - and they could not tell me anything about when I would get a refund - it has been over three weeks snd no response - I had expected at least an email that stated how sorry they were about canceling our trip and what they were going to do … but nothing!!! Incredibly disappointed and angry - would not recommend taking a trip with Vantage!

Negative experience: This company is untrustworthy, has no integrity. In January, 2023 they cancelled a cruise that we had initially booked in 2019 for 2021, then because of COVID, rescheduled for 10/2023, without informing us. We only learned about it when we saw that we had been booked on a different cruise that left on the same date and the same ship as the cruise on which we had been booked. We had no interest in that new cruise or any other trip with Vantage Travel and requested our money back. There was no response to my request for several months, until a person from the "Yield" department called and tried very hard to get us to transfer the money to another trip with Vantage, even offering a $3K incentive to book a new trip with them. I finally convinced him that I was not willing to accept anything other than a refund. He said that he would refer me for a refund, and I could contact Customer Care after 30 days to check on the status of the refund. I contacted Customer Care on 3 occasions around the 30 day mark to check on the status of the refund. I was told that I was indeed on the "Refund list", but there was NO TIMEFRAME on when the money would be refunded. Again, they tried very hard to induce me to book another trip in the future with Vantage so they could use the money I had already paid and not have it pending refund. I asked for a statement showing the amount I was owed and twice was told that they would/had requested it from the Accounting Department, yet they could see the statement on their screen and read relevant information from it to me, including "Cancelled 3/8/2023" (the date I spoke with Nick at the "Yield" department) and the amount I had paid Vantage that was due a refund. 10 days have elapsed since the statement first request, and I still have not seen an email for that statement. Meanwhile I get 1-3 marketing emails/day and ~3 mailed pieces of marketing literature/week from Vantage Travel. My suspicion is that Vantage Travel is holding my money hostage until I give in and book another trip with them. I also suspect that they don't have the money needed to repay everyone who has requested a refund, so they are repaying no one. I don't recommend anyone traveling with this company that treats its customers with such little integrity.

Negative experience: We have traveled with Vantage Travel on 13 trips. Trips 1-12 were spectacular, but unlucky 13 was a disaster. 1) They changed the schedule (upper Amazon where there is lots to see to lower Amazon which is virtually an ocean cruise without visibility of the shore), 2) didn't answer their emergency phone when we got stuck in Sao Paulo due to a flight delay, 3) phone calls to customer service prior to the trip were not answered even though I stayed on line up to 4 hours (By the way, we are President's club members....) 4) Offered no entertainment on the ship despite the fact that we cruised 3 days from Belem to the mouth of the Amazon so open ocean only. I think it is tragic. This was by far and away my favorite travel company up until now. I suspect that they are in deep financial trouble due to purchasing ocean going ships just prior to the COVID pandemic. Prior to this I rated them 5*, but have decided to take my business elsewhere due to the lousy customer service.

Negative experience: Hmm, this company is requiring that you get vaccinated and boosted to travel with them. It is now very well known if you actually look at scientific data that that does not help anyone except Maybe for the person that takes a vaccine, and that's not even proven. Why would they ever want to force this on others? I think they are trying very hard to go out of business with very bad customer service and invasive requirements.

Negative experience: It's difficult to believe that this company has not been shut down by the government. They have hundreds of BBB complaints and many lawsuits for stealing people's money. They stole $19,000 from me and my husband and refuse to give it back, even though they are the ones that cancelled the trip. I also had "cancel for any reason trip insurance with their "partner" Allianz. They will not refund your money either, only issue a voucher even though you cannot complete future trips.

Negative experience: Had a trip booked for November but had to cancel due to medical reasons. Purchased trip insurance thru vantage. All paperwork was completed and approval given in January. Still no money. money

Negative experience: Beware that after booking and paying for a trip with Vantage, if you need to recontact with Vantage for any reason will require an extensive wait on hold, usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. They have no priority line for booked customers or repeat customers. Their chat service unfortunately is never able to resolve issue. Their email to an agent usually has a 1-2 day lag in response making it impossible to discuss the issue in real time. Vantage needs to do better in customer service area! Now it appears that Vantage is "going under". Trips are being cancelled, airline tickets are not being paid, travel insurance via Allianz is worthless since approved claims must be paid by Vantage not the insurance company...BEWARE...if you paid with a credit card you might get a refund thru the credit card company, but if you paid with an e-check (same as cash) you will probably get stiffed.

Negative experience: My brother and I had planned a huge trip that was a fortune between the two of us. Not only did Vantage cancel our trip, but then proceeded to hang onto my $10,500 that’s right $10,500 each for the better part of 3/4 of a year. Hundreds of phone calls, e-mails, ect all to be told over and over that they didn’t know when my refund would be processed. Don’t just run away from this garbage company. Literally do everything in your power to stay as far from doing business with them as you possibly can. I’m not the only one!!!! A quick google search will lead you to many others who have been in the same some even worse situation!! Stay away from Vantage it’s your only hope garbage!!!!

Negative experience: Do not, I repeat, do not book with them. They are absolute thieves.

Negative experience: Terrible company to deal with. First, the voicemail prompts lead you nowhere - fast. Once you actually get to speak to someone, they are incredibly rude. Do not bother, this company is far more interested in your money than delivering exceptional customer service.

Negative experience: Do not use this company. I have been waiting for two months for a refund from them and while they acknowledge i am entitled to it, they refuse to give me a date when the refund will be issued. Awful customer service.

Fantastic experience: Great prices and really good support staff. Looking forward to my Duoro River cruise.

Negative experience: They are in it for the money and not their clients. Don't waste your time and money

Negative experience: This company Is a disaster! Do not book A trip with them. Just by accident we learned when a friend called to say she was booking a trip with them that she didn’t see our trip listed.We checked our trip online and found they had cancelled our trip and booked us 6 months earlier And never emailed us or asked if this change was acceptable to us. We had gone on a wonderful trip with them several years ago and our friends had done many wonderful trips in the past. Several of their complaint numbers are disconnected and all they asked u to email them. Our friends decided because of me not to book. They had already given a $2000 deposit and are canceling that out! Stay away

Negative experience: Zero stars! My parents had to cancel a trip they had booked with Vantage. The company admits that my parents are owed a refund, but 10 months later, still have not sent it. Run far away from this company.

Negative experience: Finally went on the Duoro river cruise last week for a trip originally scheduled for 2020. Upon arrival in Spain was told Vantage was no longer offering excursions. They kept the money paid in 2019. We paid for our excursions. Do not give Vantage any money!

Fantastic experience: Beware! This company books travel, promotes upgrades, gets payment in full then "reschedules" for a f future date a year later. No refunds did it to me twice

Negative experience: While a lot of people are coming here because of the New York times article, read the rest of the reviews from people on here that were posted well before that article came out. What happened to the lady in that article is apparently not an isolated occurrence. They reacted to the negative feedback on Facebook by deleting all the comments and shutting off the ability to comment on their posts. That seems to be their modus operandi for any problem. Just pretend it never happened.

Negative experience: I booked a Safari trip to Kenya and Tanzania before the Pandemic with Vantage based on a friend’s recommendation. I will never use them again. They left six of us abandoned in Kenya at the end of the trip. The tour ended on Friday, August 19th and we were booked by Vantage to fly out Saturday night at midnight on August 20, 2022. I asked Vantage when they booked our final flight arrangements what we were supposed to do during the day (Saturday) before our flight. The Vantage agent said that we could stay at the hotel until our flight. Well that was not true. If it wasn’t for our Tour guide, we would have been sitting in the Nairobi airport (no AC) in the sweltering heat for 12 hours. Why didn’t Vantage book us to fly out Friday night at midnight? You can book this trip on your own by booking flights direct to Nairobi via Kenya Airlines and booking Serena hotels in all the parks. Serena will arrange for your transport to/from airport and book your safaris. Don’t bother with Vantage. They don’t provide the customer service for the amount of money you shell out for this trip. You will be on hold for two hours waiting to talk to someone every time you call and they don’t respond to emails. Several members on our trip have been fighting for CovId cancellation refunds from Vantage for two years. As a matter of fact, The NY Times published an article about Vantage’s terrible customer service on August 21, 2022. Their advice is to file a complaint directly with your state’s attorneys office. “You should file a complaint with the State Attorney General’s office. That might just work: The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has received nearly 600 complaints about Vantage, most related to Covid-era cancellations, and recovered $1.1 million for consumers. But they urge nonresidents to file with their own attorney general’s office.” “Vantage received $2 million in federal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program in early 2021. (Like most companies, it did not repay the loan.)”

Negative experience: Pick another company. Vantage, though they tout themselves as 5 star with the finest food, liquor, guides, ships, etc., has been a nightmare for three years. I have been to 90 countries so I am hardly a novice at arranging group trips, family trips and solo trips for myself. Three ago I put a deposit down on the Mumbai to Persian Gulf cruise. (The usual companies I travel with did not go there,) Of course I took out the insurance with Trip Mate. Fast forward and that trip was canceled. Like many of you I was pressured into picking another trip. They didn't go anywhere else I had not been to. Foolishly I picked one of the Canadian /New England trips to places I had been to many times. No word was mentioned about insurance, so I assumed my middle east insurance carried over. Fast forward to this spring...because of health concerns my doctors advised me not to leave the US and not to travel alone. I requested a trip refund in May with all the proper medical explanations. To mid July TripMate showed my claim was being processes and the check was in the mail. Today, after speaking to a rude TripMate rep and then finally a decent person I found out my claim was DENIED and I would get no refund! I still don't quite understand why. I just know I lost $6000because Vantage and TripMate said so. I hope Vantage goes bankrupt in their current class action suit. Beware!!

Negative experience: Went to the airport this morning at 8 a.m. (Aug.2) to begin flights for river cruise Bucharest to Budapest only to find that the trip had been cancelled with no notice to us. We had booked flights through Vantage and they cancelled the flights July 31 according to United Airlines. We had to wait until 9 a.m. to reach anyone at Vantage. They said they had posted a notice in the Portfolio app, but there is no such posting within the app. At the very least they should have emailed us the day they cancelled. Makes me question the viability of the company. Is this another Crystal Cruises going belly up?? I had to give it one star in order to post.

Negative experience: I was planning to travel but after reading Nicholas Sato's review. I won't. @Nicholas Sato - This is for your mom. If there is any truth in your story/experience.

Negative experience: Zero star rating! Would never book a trip again with Vantage. Their "cancel for any reason" travel insurance policy is a scam. I've been waiting 12 months for my refund and still have not received it after numerous calls and emails. I've now filed a formal complaint with the MA attorney general office.

Negative experience: We've been traveling the world, with numerous companies, for 50 years. This is the worst trip we have EVER gone on. Other than the land portions in Boston & Montreal and some decent food and wait staff, the trip was a DISASTER! The Program Manager and Cruise Director were the worst we have ever encountered, even with "bargain" trips. They had never been to the most ports and knew almost nothing about them. We knew more, simply from reading articles on the Internet! Several advertised (and included) land excursions were canceled. For example, in Gaspe, we didn’t drive along the coast, see the GeoPark, enjoy the multimedia adventure, or explore Percé. We didn’t go to the Havre St. Pancrace lookout, Glacier Center, or Glacier Garden. Others weren't canceled, but they were closed. So, we were told to "look through the windows!" One venue had been closed for two years! Two days we had land tours in school buses, because they forgot to book the tour buses in time. The heater in our school bus couldn't operate at the same time as microphone, so the windows fogged over! While Vantage materials advertised that there would be 26 or fewer people on any tour, every tour we took had 35 or more people on it. Plus, while there were QuietVox receivers in our cabin, the tours never used them. So, we could seldom hear the guides. One port stop (Halifax) was shortened by more than an hour because they couldn't get the disembarkation stairs lined up. Another (Lunenberg) was shortened by 2 hours when they ordered the wrong size tender boats. Another stop (Pictou) was eliminated entirely. The trip advertised the pool, but it was empty. The hot tubs were usually closed and sometimes stone cold. (Someone forgot to turn on the heater.) Internet was understandably spotty, but there was also no TV reception, and no daily news. The single entertainer was mediocre, at best. The one local group was good…but the tour director announced the wrong time, and most passengers were still in port during the entertainment. All in all, we spent more than $14,000 on a trip that was a total disaster. When asked about the best part of the trip, we both said, “when it was over!” We wrote Vantage a detailed 5-page letter explaining all the issues and asking for a partial refund. After seven weeks, we got the following email: “Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding your recent Canada’s Spring Awakening Journey. We appreciate the time you spent to share your thoughts and feedback with us. It is feedback such as yours that provides the building blocks towards successful tour programs and exceptional customer experiences. We sincerely apologize for the aspects of your tour that did not meet your expectations. Vantage prides ourselves on providing an excellent customer touring experience. We appreciate you providing your detailed feedback which has been shared with our Operations Team so that we may improve these areas that fell below your level of expectation. Again, thank you for contacting Vantage Deluxe World Travel.” I rated this trip a “1”; but only because a “0” option wasn’t available.

Negative experience: We have been waiting for our refund since January

Negative experience: I have been waiting for over two months for a refund on a cancelled trip in the amount of over $30,000. They told me today in writing and I quote "We are once again unable to provide a timeline on when we will be able to process your refund request." I think they are in big financial trouble and may not be in business very long. Update, its now September 12, 2022 and still no money. They just told me again that they can not provide a timeline for when they will send a refund. I have been waiting since February 20, 2022. Way to long. Stay away from this company.

Negative experience: avoid company at all costs!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cruise originally scheduled for 2020 but then covid hit and trip postponed twice. When asked for refund was told to use travel insurance which I didn't think fair due to company not providing trip. Have tried contacting them through phone, email and letters without ANY response. Wrote to AG in PA and MA without help. Contacted lawyer who thought easiest way to use travel insurance. Submitted claim and waiting for a response and hopefully full refund. If you choose to travel with them USE A CREDIT CARD SO YOU C AN DISPUTE THE CHARGES MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND THROWING OUT ALL BROCHURES AND WRITING BAD REVIEWS TO EVERYONE I CAN THINK OF

Negative experience: Even after several emails & conversations with their reps, these people insist on sending mails and catalogues to me. They insist that I am requesting this information......really?? Who in their right mind wants to travel in the middle of a pandemic? They promise to remove you from their mailing list and then continue sending their materials. The one star is because I can't submit this review without it. They deserve no stars.

Negative experience: So I have a cruise booked in late March. I let them know three weeks ago I planned to book my own air because I did not like the itinerary they offered me even though we paid $1,300 extra each for premium economy. (They say premium economy, but only one of five flights was not basic economy.). We really preferred first class air on a different airline, but the price they quoted for first class was much higher than our direct price with the airline. Customer service says “we are not issuing refunds.” What? Not really a refund, just give me back the money that I gave you that you will not spend on my air. We have done one other cruise with this company and we really enjoyed it, but concerned about their cash flow issues and the impact on customers.

Negative experience: My mom had booked a trip with Vantage, even paid the extra money for travel insurance. During the pandemic her trip was obviously postponed, after which she was diagnosed with cancer and was going to be undergoing continued chemo treatments. Her new travel dates were not going to work due to this so she has been trying to get her refund for months now. They keep offering her credit to be used in 2022. I'm not sure how they expect her to book a trip while still battling cancer. Do the right thing

Negative experience: My sister booked a Safari trip with Vantage. Supposedly it was refundable. She cancelled because of Covid over 6 months ago and still hasn’t gotten her money back. I personally will never travel with them because they don’t honor their agreements!! BUYER BEWARE

Negative experience: It makes me sad to write a very negative review for Vantage Deluxe World Travel, but their shady business practices need to be exposed. We have gone on five Vantage tours in the past and have been very happy with all of these, which is why we keep coming back. But with our recent experience with our sixth tour, we can no longer recommend Vantage. Vantage sold us their trip in 2020: Luxury on the Nile with a pre-extension to Israel, a post-extension to Jordan, Business Class airfare, Owners Suite accommodations, price guarantee, and their travel protection package. We paid upfront the total price ($33,178) in 2019. Unfortunately, due to COVID, Vantage cancelled that trip and offered to rebook it in 2021, but without all the purchased components. I decided to change to a 2022 offering, but Vantage again refused to confirm all the components they had sold me for then, but I eventually was able to locate a 2023 offering, when (it appears) Vantage CAN meet their obligations to supply what I purchased and paid for in full in 2019. Now Vantage states they want an additional $7,064 for this 2023 trip. Further, in dialogue with Vantage (through the BBB), they now admit to what seems to be a bait-and-switch operation: "We cannot guarantee that all optional trip components will be available." I no longer trust Vantage to deliver what they sell. By the time this 2023 trip happens, they will have held my entire upfront payment of over $33,000 for four years; the interest alone should compensate Vantage for any cost increase. And I’m told they will not refund my purchase. Stay away from Vantage!

Negative experience: This company is awful. They are totally unresponsive. Never answer the phone - just put you hold for eternity. The trip we were to take should have been canceled when the major country were to visit was put on lock down for COVID. The focus of the trip was Christmas Markets and COVID restrictions canceled them. We opted not to go. Our decision. Vantage's decision was to send people to Europe with a mystery itinerary. We did not choose to go on a Mystery Tour. Avoid this sham of a company!

Negative experience: Bravo Vantage. Way to get free press in the Boston Globe. And you still have to do the refund.

Negative experience: This used to be a great company. I booked 6 trips with them and never had an issue. Since then, their customer service has gone down hill. They never answer the phone or return emails. This year, They left us stranded in JFK airport overnight for 18 hours. They didn’t answer the emergency line or any of our phone calls. When we finally got to Madrid and spoke with our fellow passengers, they were all complaining how awful it was to deal with them. I lost all trust in this company and plan on checking out all the other small group travel companies before I ever use them again.

Negative experience: Avoid this company! We were promised a full refund for a trip booked and paid for in 2019 for an April 2020 departure that was cancelled by Vantage. We were told a full refund would be sent by June 2020 and have been told on numerous occasions since that the refund was “approved” and was awaiting processing. Its now 17 months from the cancellation and no refund. Furthermore they have even stopped responding to my emails. I would urge people with the same issue to contact the Massachusetts's Attorneys General office who is aware of this problem (to no avail as of yet) but perhaps more complaints would give them more leverage and a better chance for success.

Negative experience: Along with two friend couples, my wife and I had a Spain & Portugal Trip booked for a departure date almost two years ago, now. The trip was canceled and re-scheduled twice because of the pandemic. No fault on Vantage for that. Most recently, the tour was scheduled for departure on the 9/13/21. Twelve days before, I found I'd been exposed to COVID. Following Vantage's online guidance, I called to report on same. After waiting on hold for precisely 3 hours, my call was disconnected. I called again, this time waiting on hold for 4 hours and 14 minutes (7 hours 14 minutes total wait time). Finally, a nice woman named Latoya answered. I reported my exposure. She responded by stating that Vantage would be canceling my wife and I from the tour. She further explained that we'd forfeit our prox $11K tour fee. I insisted that, since it was Vantage itself that was canceling against our will, it was wrong to claim continued possession of our tour fee. I said, in lieu of forfeiting our tour fee, we'd love to simply be re-booked on a future tour. This was refused. I offered to compromise, with Vantage keeping only such portion of the fee as it had expended in purchasing our airline tickets. This was also refused. Finally, I pointed Latoya toward the online guidance provided by Vantage (over the signature of its Founder and Chairman, Henry R. Lewis), which reads in parts as follows: "Travelers who’ve tested positive or who’ve been exposed to COVID-19 [within 14 days of] an upcoming journey should call Vantage to discuss their options." I pointed that this was an implicit promise from the Founder and Chairman, to the effect that options would be offered -- and in fact that promise was being violated because my wife and me were being offered no options. Instead, Vantage was simply denying us what we paid for, while simultaneously keeping our money. Latoya again consulted with superiors, and again came back with the same answer. Yes indeed, Vantage was determined to deny what we'd paid our $11K to purchase, while simultaneously keeping our $11K Now you must ask yourself, when a company shows such egregious lack of principle and such thorough disrespect for its customers, is it a company you want to book your tour with?

Negative experience: My 90 year old mother booked and paid in full a Tulip trip to Holland for spring 2020. Vantage cancelled the trip due to Covid. My mother chose the refund option which she is not waiting patiently for-- she is 90. Honestly she is very upset. She and I have contacted Vantage countless times for the refund with no satisfaction. They told her they refund in order of payment. She paid for her trip in 2019 so it has to be a lie unless they've not refunded anyone. It's clear they spend peoples deposits and use new deposits to pay their bills instead of keeping the deposits in an escrow account. Just plain CROOKED and dishonest. A shame. Now I get solicitation mail from them. That's a laugh

Negative experience: Buyer beware. Don't book trips with this company. They canceled my trip last year due to covid and now are charging me over $1300 for the rescheduled trip this year. Please do your research On this company

Negative experience: my experience was TERRIBLE. I called in about a trip and Mark pretty much coerced me into making a deposit and if I cancelled within 24 hours I would not be charged. HAHA! I am trying to.get my deposit back and I cannot get anyone to answer my calls and I have emailed with no success!! How can people have good comments about this company when they treat me and other people like this. and by the way I cancelled within 12 hours. I had heard good things about this company but I certainly don't believe this now. one time I did get to talk to Nickki and she said that Nick Williams would be calling me within a day. Wrong! she said all refund would be made immediately. Wrong again!! Help me get my money back!!

Negative experience: My wife and I booked for a European River cruise for September of 2020 (Majestic Rivers of Europe) and paid in 2019. In the meantime my wife had serious medical reasons that prevented us from travel even if Covid was not there and submitted claim with Tripmate in June 2020. Tripmate says that they have handed over everything to Vantage. What is the use of costly insurance if they would not honor a valid claim? Is the insurance company in bed with Vantage to refuse payment? It is going to be two years very soon since we made the payment. We made several attempts to get our refund. Other than a promise that it will be refunded eventually, there is no time frame given. Getting someone to speak is extremely tough. Vantage was highly recommended by couple of my friends as we just started our retirement. Never thought that it will end up being such a disappointment.

Negative experience: Vantage Deluxe World Travel cancelled a trip several times and has refused to refund over $4,000. It is outrageous that this company is taking advantage of longstanding customers by refusing to issue a refund of funds that were paid to them in good faith. Do NOT book a trip with this disreputable company.

Negative experience: Check some of the other reviews here as well as the BBB and consumer affairs reviews. Same story here. My mother purchased a Vantage trip and trip insurance. The trip was cancelled due to COVID. They cannot be reached via phone. They are refusing to return any funds including travel insurance. As the trip is cancelled what benefit is the trip insurance providing? This isn't even legal. I found out that they encourage seniors to pay for trips via direct debit/withdrawal. Sounds more like a scam than a so-called "Deluxe Travel Company". Shame on you Vantage.

Fantastic experience: we love VDWT, hopefully we are doing our 11th trip with them in Sept. Top notch accommodations, everthing runs smoothly...no worries.

Negative experience: We booked a Tulip Tour in January 2020 and paid an electronic check for $16,782 in February. Vantage notified us of cancellation in March due to the pandemic and offered the choice of a future travel voucher or a full refund. We chose the refund, which has not occurred more than a year later. It is particularly annoying because we purchased the most expensive travel insurance ($899) through Vantage and have no way to access that insurance without their cooperation. We have made repeated calls and sent letters to no avail. Carol and Bob B.

Negative experience: They cancelled our trip and promised our refund, but did not follow through. Beware and don't book anything with them. If you do book, pay by credit card, not electronic funds transfer. At least that way you can recover your money from your credit card company.

Negative experience: My wife and I were booked on a cruise with Vantage Travel to Portugal and Spain along the Golden Douro departing 9/18/2020 and returning 10/02/2020. We cancelled on our reservations on 03/24/2020 due to the pandemic and were assured that our money would be refunded. We paid in full and in advance over 13 months ago but we have not received our refund or any communication as to when we'll get it! I know that this company is going through tough times, but it's not an excuse to avoid professional and legal responsibility. I've sent an email to customer service and hope to receive a refund ASAP. If not, I intend to file a formal complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.

Negative experience: I will add my sad review to the many listed here. My wife and I booked a trip with Vantage Deluxe World Travel of Boston, MA that was scheduled to begin March 28, 2020. We paid, one year in advance, the full cost of the trip which was $10,896. On March 7, 2020 the company called and indicated that they were cancelling the trip and that they would be giving us a full cash refund. They assured us we would have the refund in thirty days. We are now at almost six months and no money has been received. Through both email and phone conversations, there has been a long parade of changed dates, delays and excuses. Each time they apologize, promise that the refund is “coming” but then nothing happens. They have completely lost all creditability and apparently legal action is the only way to obtain the refund. This is the way they are treating those of us who have traveled frequently with them and are members of their President’s Club.

Positive experience: Update: After a 13 week delay Vantage Travel has provided us with a full refund.. Thank you Vantage. Original Post: We had been loyal customers of Vantage Travel having been on several trips with them. But in 2020 that all came to an abrupt end. In June of 2019 my wife and I paid the full price for the Iceland cruise scheduled for June of 2020. In February of 2020 Vantage contacted us say that, unfortunately, due ti insufficient interest they had to cancel our Iceland cruise. They did tell us that since they were cancelling it they would give us a full refund, including the $3,000.00 we had submitted for travel insurance. They did warn us that it could take up to 6 weeks for them to refund the money to our account. The total refund we were told to expect was close to $29,000, a very significant amount for us. Nearly 13 weeks later and no refund. And, all of their so called customer service has disappeared. All of my inquiries and complaints have been answered with the same boilerplate, stonewalling email that provides absolutely No information about our refund. Can’t help but feel they are flat out stealing our money. Vantage continues to advertise trips into 2021 and 2022. They must still be taking money from unsuspecting customers. Those customers may never see their money again. I would caution anyone from doing business with Vantage Travel. Please review complaints on the websites for Consumer Affairs and the one for New England Better Business Bureau. That could save you a big expensive problem.

Fantastic experience: Great group to use in Africa

Negative experience: We are in Kenya on Vantage tour. At least my 5th trip with them and I will say their customer service has become abominable! Our return flights on British Airways for September 26 have been canceled due to pilot strike. I went to Vantage website and sent them a message through the only venue they offered to let them know so they can get us rebooked since we are traveling business class. I got email back saying I needed to call their flight department. Mind you I don't have phone service in Kenya. After booking my trip, but before departing, I had called their "concierge service" multiple times on one issue and was left on hold at least half hour each time and if I got to leave a message for a call back, the callback never happened. This happened multiple times. I get a one question survey each time asking how I would rate the service - "poor" - but no feedback on my response. I will never use them again. After you pay for the trip do not expect any service.

Positive experience: "Per our Tour Participation Agreement, Vantage does not make refunds for any unused portions of the trip including flights." This was in an email I received from Vantage after requesting the money due ME that American Airlines had sent them after we drove one leg of our flight after American canceled our flight. I will make my own air reservations next time. Vantage did return our $133 as a "goodwill" gesture. Learning Vantage can keep my money was worth way more. I need to read the muliple pages of fine print more thoroughly.

Fantastic experience: We have taken multiple tours with Vantage Travel. We rate them highly for their itineraries, great hotels/boats and value.

Positive experience: We have travelled with Vantage on 10 different trips and I would highly recommend them. We have had outstanding cruise directors on 80% of our trips. Only one was substandard. We have visited many places I never dreamed I would see and met the most wonderful people. One special thing about Vantage is their in home visit. We ate dinner in an African village using only our fingers. It was delicious. Also traveling with a group there can be “problems”. We have had broken arms, infected teeth, flu etc and it has always been handled well.

Fantastic experience: Loved our trip through the Netherlands and Belgium at Tulip Time! The rooms were comfortable, the food fabulous, the ship staff friendly and helpful, and the local tour guides knowledgeable. We could be as busy as we wanted to be or relax aboard ship. Historical and other talks were fascinating.

Fantastic experience: The best trip with the best guide (Tomaslav). So much beauty, culture, food and wine. Great local guides. I would love to go again

Positive experience: Great journey to Spain and Portugal. Lovely river cruise on the Douro. Great boat and staff. Only reason for not giving 5 stars is that some of the guides underestimated the difficulty level of the optionals.

Fantastic experience: Great company! Excellent customer service!!!

Fantastic experience: Wonderful Trip, Amazing Staff, Cannot Wait to Go Again! I went on the France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy last May-June and I have nothing but great things to say about the trip, the company and the staff on the ship. Everything is so well organized, communication between staff and guest made sure everyone could make the best out of their trip, and the food! Best in my life! You are really treated like royalty while on these trips and I was blown away by how kind and helpful the staff was. Not to mention the amazing activities we got to experience for the duration of the trip!! Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: We have taken eight Vantage tours, including small ship, river cruises, and land tours. All have been wonderful! Our next Vantage trip is a river cruise on the Seine this summer.

Fantastic experience: Great ship. Loved the amenities of hot beverages all day. Excellent itinerary.

Fantastic experience: The greatest trip ever. Everything went as it should, weather, animals and our guides, the best. "The Best of Africa" was the best.

Fantastic experience: Our experience on this river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel could not have been much better. The personnel on the ship were welcoming and the service was wonderful. Despite low waters on the Rhine, our captain managed to slip us past all the fabulous castles on the hillsides. Shore excursions were interesting and well executed. Can't wait to go again.

Positive experience: Great company ... easy to work with ... support their products

Fantastic experience: Have traveled with Vantage multiple times and each time is wonderful: great guides for all included tours; friendly personnel; wonderful food; never ending wine with dinner on cruises; unique cultural experiences; and a lot of interaction with locals (many times, home hospitality). Smaller groups also! Definitely a wonderful experience. (And the pricing benefits for returning travelers is excellent.)

Fantastic experience: We have traveled with 'Vantage on two river cruises (the Elbe and the Douro) and were extremely pleased with everything about both cruises. We are booked to travel with them around the island of Iceland late August/September. The only suggestion I would make to the company would be to have the option of making payments on the My Portfolio website rather than having to call into the call center, being put on hold and then listen to all of the marketing options they are required to discuss. But all in all, I wouldn't think twice about booking Vantage in the future.

Fantastic experience: Our Vantage cruise was fantastic. Every detail was handled by the grew perfectly. It was a truly wonderful trip.