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GRAND CIRCLE TOUR EXPERIENCE - BAD! Theresa Lindsey, Houston
I recently took a trip with my father on Grand Circle Travel Lines out
of Boston for a Great Rivers of Europe - Amsterdam to Vienna. I had to work
with this travel group as my father selected. It clearly targets the older
generation. I don't know if you keep a list of worst travel agents to
travel with while having Celiac Sprue but if so, this company should be on
it and people should be warned.
The chef was clueless. Many times I had problems and all the wait
staff constantly brought regular meals my way - nothing special or selective
on that boat. Even after questioning and sending foods back it would not be
right. They never baked a single special bread, muffin or any such items.
The waiters nor the chef it was clear were pleased to have me on
board. It was awful and many times we were told there was nothing for me if
I did not want the food that was on a buffet or out and we had to go to town
and pay to eat. While my family once enjoyed a birthday at the table with
cake - I was left with nothing. Only after all finished the coffee did I
get a many times asked for "just some ice cream." At every table, meal, we
became like a show trying to get food for myself and explaining the diet
issues. It was very tiring and embarrassing to say the least.
If there is a way to get this word out, knowing they target the
elderly for trips - I feel it would be my obligation to do so and encourage
people to avoid this travel group. It should be noted also that prior to
departure, I had e-mail confirmation that it was clear to the staff in
Boston I had special diet needs and
they would be met. That e-mail and those words meant nothing when actually
out of the country and on the boat.
I would appreciate your forwarding my comments of Grand Circle Travel
to any and all places which would assist others in travel choices. Jim and
I also are retired as of just this year but what we saw with Grand Circle
seems to be their advertisements and a little cheaper price to lure my
father in their
direction - he is 80 and was taking 6 people on a Europe trip at his
expense. Especially those retired
should be well informed so their travel is enjoyable as many of us plan to
be with a trip group for a
couple weeks.
It was not just the diet issue with this company. The day after
arrival, an employee of the boat was taken away in ambulance due to some flu
like symptoms and very sick. By the 4th day, nearly the whole boat was sick
and several other employees left the boat. Several guests remained in rooms
sick for days or went to the doctor. My father was mad as was many people
that never once did the captain speak up of the illnesses or a meeting held
to inform the passengers concerns.
It became real clear with this cruise line, no matter what the
situations, diet - illnesses (even their ads do mention they offer no
assistance or medical information once on the boat) - any way, it is clear
that once on the boat they have your money and you are of no concern to
them. I believe not just my diet concerns but other issues by passengers
would encourage travelers to make another choice.
This boat had an old computer - never internet available to guests
even at docking. They locked the dining rooms until the very last minute
and left guests lined in halls just wanting a fresh cup of
coffee which was never available except in the dining room which remained
locked except certain times and even was known to turn meal guests away if
they were late. There were no current newspapers unless a guest picked one
up during a stop and placed it in the library.
Over all, this organization really does take people for a ride - with
no concerns, conveniences or care. Just a ride and guests should know this.
Of course, the river trip and the stops are wonderful. The program directors
are well informed. It is just knowing how you will be treated - one should
be informed. Personally, we did not like this or how we saw others treated.
Gout set in on my father and he asked for a crutch to continue on during
the day. He was told immediately no assistance in any way would ever be
given to a guest. The same day, his little housekeeping girl brought him a
crutch that housekeeping had and he was up and on his way - with her help.
I could write of so many stories by guests. One with a illness that
should never have been closed up in a boat with sick people - again no
information to the illness on the boat or assistance - this person remained
in cabin 7 days of the time - to sick to get up and clueless to what the
boat staff had for an illness to even inform their home physician.
We saw the Vantage boats parked nearby and I can tell from the
appearance alone they were looked cleaner and better boat and staff. Price
wise, as we got both brochures, there was only a couple hundred dollars
different per person and the exact same agenda.
VANTAGE Tours --- Janet Rinehart <[log in to unmask]>
We have used Vantage river boats in Europe on a couple of vacations -
with absolutely no problems. (Yes, these river boat tours tend to appeal to
the retirement crowd; I guess we are there now, too.) They went out of their
way to accommodate our GF diets both on the ship and off. The Program
Managers were wonderful.
Bob & Ruth's Gluten-Free Dining and Travel Club. www.bobandruths.com Bob &
Ruth Levy attend to all gluten-free meal details. We have been on their
first Mediterranean Cruise and China trips - both wonderful! We are looking
forward with anticipation to the Kenya photographic tour the end of May and
Adriatic cruise in the fall. jyr
--Theresa gave me permission to post her message because she wanted celiac
to know about her very negative experience.
--Janet Rinehart, Chairman, Houston Celiac Support Group
www.houstonceliacs.org
* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *
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