All Things Vantage

[Shmoo here]

My understanding is different than yours. Look at http://www.vantagetravel.com/whyvantage/waystosave/frequenttravelerrewards

 

 

 

• You'll earn 5% rewards earned each reservation, which will be available upon return from that trip and valid for 365 days
  
• After 365 days, your rewards are worth 3% for the next year
  
• After two years, the rewards will expire completely
  
• Your rewards cannot be applied to the trip for which you earned the reward, and they cannot be used on a trip departing prior to the trip for which you will earn the reward
  
• Your Frequent Traveler Rewards will become void if the trip you would earn the reward for is cancelled
  
• Frequent Traveler Rewards can't be earned or used for the purchase of a discounted trip that is reserved within 90 days of departure
  
• If Group Leaders earn a Group Leader Credit on a reservation, they cannot earn Frequent Traveler Rewards on that reservation
  

Note the red highlighting I have added. It is true that you can't use the credit against a Next Trip that you have booked on board, IF that trip leaves within 90 days. IME if you book onboard a Next Trip that is more than 90 days out, you can indeed use your Frequent Traveler Reward (FTR). Note that twice last year (2016) I applied FTR to trips that I already had previously booked but not yet taken. AFAIK that is entirely within the rules as listed above. I take an "all of the above" approach and use the onboard booking discount, the FTR AND the credit card rebate (for which I get 4.5%).

 

Thom

I saw all that. And that's how I read it, also.

 

But, when I called, that's not what I was told. :confused:

 

I think we're just going to wait to book while on our next trip, and then try putting the travel rewards on that reservation once they're available.

[macsails]

Certainly sounds complicated. We've used Vantage several times and only were able to take advantage of the travel reward once. Guess we hit all the rules just right because we didn't have any trouble doing it. Hate to leave any $$ on the table, but sometimes our schedule and their offerings don't match.

[SteveinPhilly]

Okay, You folks are verterans with Vantage and this will be our first cruise with them. We arec used to the larger cruise ship lines where prices change every few days - up and down - and there are always "sales" on OBCs (especially around the holidays. I get brochures and emails from Vantage offering "deals" like "free air" or BOGO cruise and each has a special code. So obviously they drop the rates as they get closer and a ship is not near full. (I've seen postings here where they actually cancel the cruise just before final payment. (And if you bought your own air and no insurance you are stuck.

 

So has anyone ever experienced Vantage ever rolling back a price to less than you paid? just curious

[ebtrip]

Okay, You folks are verterans with Vantage and this will be our first cruise with them. We arec used to the larger cruise ship lines where prices change every few days - up and down - and there are always "sales" on OBCs (especially around the holidays. I get brochures and emails from Vantage offering "deals" like "free air" or BOGO cruise and each has a special code. So obviously they drop the rates as they get closer and a ship is not near full. (I've seen postings here where they actually cancel the cruise just before final payment. (And if you bought your own air and no insurance you are stuck.

 

So has anyone ever experienced Vantage ever rolling back a price to less than you paid? just curious

 

Phil, this is also my first Vantage cruise, and keep receiving mailers and brochures from them. The latest was this past week, for my sailing in May, pricing was higher, no free air. I feel I still am ahead in pricing, especially now that I paid a minimal price to upgrade to a suite, which was thousands more to start.

[SteveinPhilly]

Phil, this is also my first Vantage cruise, and keep receiving mailers and brochures from them. The latest was this past week, for my sailing in May, pricing was higher, no free air. I feel I still am ahead in pricing, especially now that I paid a minimal price to upgrade to a suite, which was thousands more to start.

 

eb: I posted my last question to see if any of the veteran Vantage Cruisers had seen a rollback on their cruise. Yep, sounds like you got a good deal. I just know that they were pushing for upgrades to fill unsold cabins. Our cruise Tulips only has 3 optional tours (none of interest to us) and I even got two snail mail letters encouraging us to sign up "early" ;)

 

(35 days to go)

Steve

[casey615]

Are there travelers going on the "Grand European Tour" on Sept 5, 2017 from Amsterdam to Budapest? There are 4 of us traveling together. This will be our first river cruise with Vantage. Looking for tips on tours at the various stops along the way. I have read some of the previous posts about visiting Rothenburg as an optional tour. Any opportunities to visit the camps at Nuremberg? We will do the post-cruise extension to Bratislava and Prague. Looking forward to seeing and enjoying this part of Europe. We have done the a GCT river cruise from Paris to Nice several years ago. Thanks for any advice and info.

[4774Papa]

We have done three Vantage trips/cruises and price reductions were not posted by Vantage prior to the trip.

 

One exception was a $1000 price reduction for us due to voluntary rescheduling offer (due to Vantage overbooking).

[CPT Trips]

Are there travelers going on the "Grand European Tour" on Sept 5, 2017 from Amsterdam to Budapest? There are 4 of us traveling together. This will be our first river cruise with Vantage. Looking for tips on tours at the various stops along the way. I have read some of the previous posts about visiting Rothenburg as an optional tour. Any opportunities to visit the camps at Nuremberg? We will do the post-cruise extension to Bratislava and Prague. Looking forward to seeing and enjoying this part of Europe. We have done the a GCT river cruise from Paris to Nice several years ago. Thanks for any advice and info.

 

Nuremberg is more likely to offer tours of the Courtroom, the Rally Grounds, and/or the Documentation Center. I'm not aware of any of the camps nearby but that just means I may need to be better informed.

[ebtrip]

We leave Sunday on our first Vantage, on the Splendor from Budapest to Amsterdam. I only booked one optional tour in Vienna which includes dinner with wine tasting. My friend did this cruise 2 years ago and said it was a must..a tour in Amsterdam, Jewish heritage tour, was cancelled.

[SteveinPhilly]

Are there travelers going on the "Grand European Tour" on Sept 5, 2017 from Amsterdam to Budapest? There are 4 of us traveling together. This will be our first river cruise with Vantage. Looking for tips on tours at the various stops along the way. I have read some of the previous posts about visiting Rothenburg as an optional tour. Any opportunities to visit the camps at Nuremberg? We will do the post-cruise extension to Bratislava and Prague. Looking forward to seeing and enjoying this part of Europe. We have done the a GCT river cruise from Paris to Nice several years ago. Thanks for any advice and info.

 

I can't help you with the rest of your tour but I can with Amsterdam. Are you extending your stay there? (We did and loved it but - as with many others - booked our own hotel for 1/3 the price per person that Vantage offered and even better location.

 

We were on the April Tulip tour (HIGHLY recommend it) and you should know that Vantage will probably offer a quick guided tour in the New Rijksmuseum, but you can stay on after the group leaves. Also we loved the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, (Not included with Vantage) but you should buy tix online in advance a few days before leaving home - or expect a 45 minute-plus line.

 

This was our first Vantage. It won't be our last.

[casey615]

ebtrip, please let us know about the Splendor and how your trip went. Have a great time.

 

SteveinPhilly, we have been to Amsterdam previously so will not extend there; however, our friends will extend there and we will pass your comments on to them. Where did you stay there? Thanks for your advice.

[SteveinPhilly]

ebtrip, please let us know about the Splendor and how your trip went. Have a great time.

 

SteveinPhilly, we have been to Amsterdam previously so will not extend there; however, our friends will extend there and we will pass your comments on to them. Where did you stay there? Thanks for your advice.

 

 

BTW, we were on the Splendor. Loved it and the Cruise Director, Elna, is amazing!

 

In Amsterdam we booked 2 nightsat the Swisshotel on Dam Square for about $200 E per night. WE got best price (5% off the website rate) by emailing the hotel direct. Since Vantage wanted $599 PER PERSON for the 2 nights plus transfer (and, yes, breakfast) we saved about $400 per couple. for the two nights. :)

[ebtrip]

BTW, we were on the Splendor. Loved it and the Cruise Director, Elna, is amazing!

 

In Amsterdam we booked 2 nightsat the Swisshotel on Dam Square for about $200 E per night. WE got best price (5% off the website rate) by emailing the hotel direct. Since Vantage wanted $599 PER PERSON for the 2 nights plus transfer (and, yes, breakfast) we saved about $400 per couple. for the two nights. :)

Hi Steve,

We booked 2 nights Budapest which is just over 200.00 for 2 nights and we are using the hotel transfer which is 22.00.

Vantage did not offer a pre stay in Budapest but I'm sure it would have been much more. We have been to Amsterdam 3 times so we're not extending our cruise.

We're all packed I'm going to run my boarding passes now.. looking forward to this cruise.

Elaine

[DancingORnurse]

Well we have been on three River Cruises two Uniworld one AMA and considering itinerary of Douro River with Vantage. I know the Doura Spirit had been charted by Uniworld and Vantage is now leasing this ship. We are skeptical about Vantage only because we loved Uniworld. Will we be disappointed? We are looking at Vantage only because of their itinerary. Need feedback of cruisers who have enjoyed Vantage. Anyone been on the Douro with Vantage?

 

We were on the Vantage Duuro last fall and would not recommend it. The ship is leased not owned by Vantage. the food was barely OK and repetitive. There were four waiters and no bus boys for 120 people all eating at the same time. I do know they have replaced the vessel with a new one and someone told me they loved it. While we were on the trip we were told many times that this was not a typical Vantage trip and we are giving them a second try in July.

Unless you are crazy about wine there are too many vineyards and not enough other activities. We did enjoy the day at one vineyard where we picked and stomped grapes and drank wine and had a simply fabulous lunch with one of the most entertaining hosts imaginable!

[4774Papa]

We were on the Vantage Duuro last fall and would not recommend it. The ship is leased not owned by Vantage. the food was barely OK and repetitive. There were four waiters and no bus boys for 120 people all eating at the same time. I do know they have replaced the vessel with a new one and someone told me they loved it. While we were on the trip we were told many times that this was not a typical Vantage trip and we are giving them a second try in July.

Unless you are crazy about wine there are too many vineyards and not enough other activities. We did enjoy the day at one vineyard where we picked and stomped grapes and drank wine and had a simply fabulous lunch with one of the most entertaining hosts imaginable!

I am not sure what ship you were on, but we did Vantage Douro in May 2016 and loved the cruise.

We were on the Douro Spirit.

Here is my review for the dining:

 

For the next week, we enjoyed the excellent food and service on the Spirit. Good Portuguese wine, red, white table wine and port were served before, during and after dinner (in the dining room) as much as we could consume. We ate a lot of fish, since the fish in Portugal was excellent. One night we had a great leg of lamb and another a Portuguese steak. Breakfast was accommodating to the American travelers, with eggs cooked to order or omelets, crispy bacon, plenty or fruit, muesli, bread, croissants and more. For lunch, we had a choice of dining in the dining room with a sit down meal, as with dinner or a lighter fare in the bar/lounge area. After one lunch downstairs we opted to eat lighter in the lounge. When dining on a tour, like to Salamanca, Sintra or Nazare, we had complementary wine with our lunch. Our waiter was Antonio and he was great. We got to know him during the cruise and he made our dining a pleasure.

We discussed the dining with many of our fellow cruisers and they all spoke highly of the food and service.

What ship were you on?

[SteveinPhilly]

I am not sure what ship you were on, but we did Vantage Douro in May 2016 and loved the cruise.

We were on the Douro Spirit.

Here is my review for the dining:

 

For the next week, we enjoyed the excellent food and service on the Spirit. Good Portuguese wine, red, white table wine and port were served before, during and after dinner (in the dining room) as much as we could consume. We ate a lot of fish, since the fish in Portugal was excellent. One night we had a great leg of lamb and another a Portuguese steak. Breakfast was accommodating to the American travelers, with eggs cooked to order or omelets, crispy bacon, plenty or fruit, muesli, bread, croissants and more. For lunch, we had a choice of dining in the dining room with a sit down meal, as with dinner or a lighter fare in the bar/lounge area. After one lunch downstairs we opted to eat lighter in the lounge. When dining on a tour, like to Salamanca, Sintra or Nazare, we had complementary wine with our lunch. Our waiter was Antonio and he was great. We got to know him during the cruise and he made our dining a pleasure.

We discussed the dining with many of our fellow cruisers and they all spoke highly of the food and service.

What ship were you on?

 

I found that interesting. We were on the Splendor in Belgium/Holland and NONE of the food was local. All meats and fish were frozen (and defrosted). It was okay but we missed local food. The Chef on the Splendor explained that Vantage policy wasthat they ALWAYS served the same menus. He could only change the sauces. It was - honestly - the only negative I found on our first Vantage cruise. If I wanted local food, I had to eat off the boat.

[TravelerThom]

I found that interesting. We were on the Splendor in Belgium/Holland and NONE of the food was local. All meats and fish were frozen (and defrosted). It was okay but we missed local food. The Chef on the Splendor explained that Vantage policy was that they ALWAYS served the same menus....

I was on Douro Spirit in 2016; it is owned by Douro Azul and was chartered some weeks by Vantage (Vantage is now chartering Douro Serenity).Staff and food are provided by Douro Azul, presumably with some input from Vantage on food selection. Splendor is a full time Vantage boat and Vantage has much more control. I thought the food and service on the Douro Spirit​ were first class and enjoyed the trip, but acknowledge that food is subjective.

[ebtrip]

I found that interesting. We were on the Splendor in Belgium/Holland and NONE of the food was local. All meats and fish were frozen (and defrosted). It was okay but we missed local food. The Chef on the Splendor explained that Vantage policy wasthat they ALWAYS served the same menus. He could only change the sauces. It was - honestly - the only negative I found on our first Vantage cruise. If I wanted local food, I had to eat off the boat.

Hi Steve,

We are on the Splendor inAmsterdam, depart to USA tomorrow. We found the food to be JUST OK..lots of pork..tours were wonderful other than Cologne. Should have had a guided tour of the church instead of an hour walk around town. Some of the staff seemed new to cruising but tried. Don't think we will be doing a river cruise in the near future. Do have a Viking Ocean booked for next year, wanted to try a new company.

Elaine

[SteveinPhilly]

Hi Steve,

We are on the Splendor in Amsterdam, depart to USA tomorrow. We found the food to be JUST OK..lots of pork..tours were wonderful other than Cologne. Should have had a guided tour of the church instead of an hour walk around town. Some of the staff seemed new to cruising but tried. Don't think we will be doing a river cruise in the near future. Do have a Viking Ocean booked for next year, wanted to try a new company.

Elaine

 

Hi El;aine. Was Erna the CD and Maya the Concierge? Both were great. Yes, the food variety (and none that wasn

't frozen" was my drawbaxck. ALL our excursions (on the Tulip cruise) there were only 3 "optional" one and not of much interest. were great except one tour guide who went on longer than she should - and Erna said they won't be using her. The VALUE with Vantage was what convinced us to try a RIVER cruise. I'm afraid Viking and the others were too pricey. We were happy with this one and will look into one for next year I think (Danube or Rhine).

Steve

[ebtrip]

Hi El;aine. Was Erna the CD and Maya the Concierge? Both were great. Yes, the food variety (and none that wasn

't frozen" was my drawbaxck. ALL our excursions (on the Tulip cruise) there were only 3 "optional" one and not of much interest. were great except one tour guide who went on longer than she should - and Erna said they won't be using her. The VALUE with Vantage was what convinced us to try a RIVER cruise. I'm afraid Viking and the others were too pricey. We were happy with this one and will look into one for next year I think (Danube or Rhine).

Steve

No Steve,

Bogie was our CD. was very good, but needed a bit more charisma.

Scenery was fantastic enjoyed our cruise, just expected it to be more special. We sail Celebrity Aqua class, and we are treated very special in Blu restaurant.

Elaine

[ural guy]

No Steve,

Bogie was our CD. was very good, but needed a bit more charisma.

 

Elaine

By Bogie do you mean Bogdon?

If so, then I know what you mean, we sailed with him from Budapest to Bucharest last September. Very nice guy, but he could really go on for a long time.

[SteveinPhilly]

No Steve,

Bogie was our CD. was very good, but needed a bit more charisma.

Scenery was fantastic enjoyed our cruise, just expected it to be more special. We sail Celebrity Aqua class, and we are treated very special in Blu restaurant.

Elaine

 

Thanks Elaine. We learned that an Ocean Cruise is not a river cruise. River cruises have no kids, mostly over 50er and healthy as there is a lot of walking (we had a blind guy with us and he kept up with us!) Also, no fancy entertain,ent and no casino. Most folks are in bed by 10pm as you need to be up in the morning. No at sea days either and - of course no pool. But you learn a lot - all tours are a max of 25 people.

We have an RCI to Canada in Sept and will hit Diamond after that.

I have a Celebrity to Caribbean in Jan with a friend and got an upscale balcony, free drinks and gratuities. But it's not a river cruise.

 

Erna is from Netherlands but she went on to Budapest after our cruise.

 

Steve

[deec]

Elaine,

we have done a Viking Ocean and it was very special!!! only minor complaints about Vantage but we have only done the more exotic journeys.

check out the Viking Ocean boards for some good information.

[KathyK13]

I'm disappointed to hear from several posters that the food was just ok. We are looking at taking a Vantage Rhine and Mosel cruise in 2018 that is on sale for a great price, but not having fresh regional food may be a deal breaker for us. We had excellent food on both of our Avalon tours. I'd like to hear others' opinions of the food on their Vantage cruises.

[ural guy]

I'm disappointed to hear from several posters that the food was just ok. We are looking at taking a Vantage Rhine and Mosel cruise in 2018 that is on sale for a great price, but not having fresh regional food may be a deal breaker for us. We had excellent food on both of our Avalon tours. I'd like to hear others' opinions of the food on their Vantage cruises.

 

Kathy- What deal did you see for that cruise? I received a Vantage Mailer, but $4200 was the 'special' price.

 

In early February of this year, I received a mailer offering the Moselle trip for $2300. Unfortunately I already had a trip to Scotland planned or I would have jumped on that deal.