Embattled Vantage Deluxe World Travel
By Anne Kalosh
UPDATE Aug 21, 2023
Vantage Customers May Get Travel Credit With Aurora Expeditions
UPDATE June 30, 2023 — Vantage Travel Files for Chapter 11
Founded in 1983, Vantage Deluxe World Travel has owned and operated a small fleet of riverboats in Europe and has also chartered small oceangoing ships (some larger than 300 passengers) and riverboats in North, Central and South America (Galapagos & Amazon), Africa (Egypt), Asia (Myanmar, Cambodia & Vietnam, China), and Antarctica. In recent years Vantage sought to enter the expedition small-ship market.
However, over the past few years, during the pandemic, things haven't been going well for Vantage.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel's chartered pair of SunStone Maritime Group's Infinity-class newbuilds — the 134-passenger Ocean Explorer (2021) and 162-passenger Ocean Odyssey (2022) expedition ships — went into layup in late May in Caen, France for an unknown period and there have been subsequent reports of other trips through Aug. 28 being “postponed.”
The Massachusetts attorney general has amassed hundreds of complaints about Boston-based Vantage since 2020 (as reported by Boston 25 News and other outlets) and Pennsylvania is suing Vantage for alleged violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Various news outlets, including the Boston Globe, have reported that embattled Vantage Deluxe World Travel is negotiating the sale of the company.
Check back for updates.
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Anne Reports on Vantage's Troubles for Seatrade Cruise News
“Pennsylvania is suing Vantage Travel Services and founder Hank Lewis for alleged violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
The lawsuit alleges the Massachusetts-based tour operator and Lewis engaged in deceptive and unfair business practices by promising ‘risk-free' travel to consumers. According to the complaint, Vantage took large sums of money from consumers then failed to provide refunds when they could not travel.
Many of those impacted were 60 or older.
Pennsylvania's attorney general said Vantage promised customers they could ‘Cancel [their] journey due to an unforeseen event — from an emergent illness to a last-minute family gathering — up to the day of departure [and] retain the full value of [their] travel investment.'
Instead, Vantage marked those plans as postponed or rescheduled and did not issue refunds.
‘Vantage took advantage of older Pennsylvanians by continuing to hold their refunds hostage,' Attorney General Michelle Henry said. ‘If Pennsylvania consumers pay for goods or services and get nothing in return, our office will fight for those victims.'
Vantage has not responded to requests for comment…”
Read Anne's full Seatrade Cruise News report about the Vantage troubles.
Anne Reports on Vantage's Troubles for Seatrade Cruise News
“Pennsylvania is suing Vantage Travel Services and founder Hank Lewis for alleged violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
The lawsuit alleges the Massachusetts-based tour operator and Lewis engaged in deceptive and unfair business practices by promising ‘risk-free' travel to consumers. According to the complaint, Vantage took large sums of money from consumers then failed to provide refunds when they could not travel.
Many of those impacted were 60 or older.
Pennsylvania's attorney general said Vantage promised customers they could ‘Cancel [their] journey due to an unforeseen event — from an emergent illness to a last-minute family gathering — up to the day of departure [and] retain the full value of [their] travel investment.'
Instead, Vantage marked those plans as postponed or rescheduled and did not issue refunds.
‘Vantage took advantage of older Pennsylvanians by continuing to hold their refunds hostage,' Attorney General Michelle Henry said. ‘If Pennsylvania consumers pay for goods or services and get nothing in return, our office will fight for those victims.'
Vantage has not responded to requests for comment…”
Read Anne's full Seatrade Cruise News report about the Vantage troubles.
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HEIDI SARNA
I am one of those poor unfortunates that bought into a Vantage river cruise to the tune of almost $12,000. I am heartsick as I doubt I’ll get any return of that money. Does anyone know what is happening and if customers will be reimbursed?
Hello there … Our friends at Seatrade Cruise News have offered this update on the Vantage situation — “Court expected to OK Aurora Expeditions’ bid for Vantage assets.” https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/legal-regulatory/court-expected-ok-aurora-expeditions-bid-vantage-assets
Hopefully there will be some reimbursement for customers like you.