Grand Circle Travel/Grand Circle Cruise Line
Grand Circle Travel/Grand Circle Cruise Line
Grand Circle Travel/Grand Circle Cruise Line
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line provide trips of international discovery to Americans age 50 and older. Grand Circle Travel launched in 1958 to serve American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members and is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2023. As leaders in solo-friendly travel, the companies offer free and low-cost single supplements.
Boston, United States
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4.5
80 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
4
Terrible
7
ronworldtraveler2011
Delray Beach, FL17 contributions
Aug 2023
This was our fourth or fifth GCCL riverboat cruise and, as with the previous cruises, exceeded our expectations. While we had been to both Paris and Normandy previously, we had never experienced the three or four quaint towns between these two points. The stops were well chosen and charming. Everything about this trip was over the top starting with the two trip leaders, Serge and Heloise, to the friendliness and accommodating ship's (Bizet) crew. Without exception everyone asked often if everything as ok and if we were happy with the service. The food on the ship was delicious and the menu was always flexible within limits. Complimentary wine and beer was included with lunch and dinner. Our tour leader was extremely knowledgeable about the places we visited and enriched our experience by sharing personal information. Entertainment and activities on GCCL'S riverboats have been getting increasingly better. This one included onboard performances by can-can dancers and a husband and wife cellist and harpist who also sang . These performances were of high quality and enjoyed by our entire group. We highly recommend GCCL'S riverboat cruises as a vacation option. In addition to traveling and sightseeing they provide a terrific learning-discovery and cultural interaction component.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mschicht
Oklahoma City, OK4 contributions
Jun 2023
Hard to select “favorite” part of trip…would have to say Number One was the planning, organization and ability to make changes when necessary. Guide,Scott, was fantastic and saw ahead to our needs. Driver, Jerry, consistently delivered us safely and on time to our destinations. Both provided “extras” - Jerry purchased plenty of water and candy for us; Scott had interesting stories and videos about our locations and superb cookies! Both consistently were pleasant and extremely patient!. The itinerary was fantastic - and the particular order of the various park visits seemed to build to a grand finish. Each of the hotels was delightful and the included and optional tours fabulous. ,This was my first GCT tour and I cannot WAIT to schedule my next!
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your first trip with us! We look forward to having you travel with us again in the future.
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rory W
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
Our romantic villages of the Alps trip was amazing. All of the destinations were amazing, and the historical sites and natural surroundings were overwhelmingly beautiful to the point that photos didn’t do justice for what we saw with our own eyes. All that said, it was our program director Stefan who made our trip so special. He guided our group with extraordinary attention to detail, and shared his vast personal knowledge and experiences with each destination. He also consistently went beyond expectations by adding small but meaningful stops to our tour, and made smart recommendation for restaurants and area sites for when we had personal time to explore. This was a trip of a lifetime for us, but only made so by Stefan and his all-in commitment to making sure we were fully immersed in the Alpine culture.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurieanne
New York6 contributions
Jun 2023
Under NO circumstances travel with this company. They take NO responsibility for any travel upheavals incurred. The trip sights were great. The food they paid for was lackluster at best and awful at times. They used vendors that had not been vetted, the tour guide and bus driver realized how bad it was and out of their own pockets provided treats and beverages. This was NOT underwritten by the company. They made the airline reservations but when I had to rebook (not unusual today) they had paid the air fare but refuse to reimburse me when my friend and traveling companion's ticket was completely covered. If you must travel with them book your own tickets and plan on eating on your own.
They have changed the itinerary which needed to be done.n I would still not trust them to stand by their commitments.
They have changed the itinerary which needed to be done.n I would still not trust them to stand by their commitments.
Written 30 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your candid review. GCT takes feedback from its customers very seriously. Please contact us at request@oattravel.com so that we may review your situation.
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charles E
Spicewood, United States3 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This particular river journey on the Seine river was touted as a trip from Paris to Normandy. That is what it turned out to be, only in reverse. That is not the problem. Everyone I talked to on the boat, The Bizet, was on the trip because they were enthralled with the fact that they were going to Normandy and experience D Day at Normandy. That is not what happened. The boat was docked at Honfluer and was a 2 hour drive by bus to Normandy. We then spent short and quick 1.5 hours at the American cemetery, a standing 1.5 hours on Omaha Beach and a quick 1.5 hours at Points du Hoc. The tide was in, therefore we were unable to see the beach as the American boys came ashore on D Day. It then took us 2 hours by bus to travel back to the boat. There are many things that were missing from this experience. At Normandy there are several museums with films and memorabilia about the D Day experience. Have a review where the parachutes landed and boys were drowned and why, Why was there flooding where the gliders landed? How about looking where the parachutist landed on the church. I would like to have a "cricket" experience at a hedge to see exactly what it was like. There are other beaches that were involved that could be experienced. At du Hoc the cliffs were so far away that they seemed to be insignificant. The trip to the cemetery was so quick that we were not able to review anything except the flag being flown. We rushed through the museum and was not able to review any of the information that was there nor were we able to take a walk through the many crosses. .
What I would suggest is that GCT make a 3 day Normandy pre trip or post trip. Also show the movies "The Band of Brothers" one evening on the boat. They need to give their travelers a real experience of D Day.
The remainder of the boat ride was OK but 40 people in a group does not lend itself to learning and discovery. Lulu did as good a job as possible but with that many people it is difficult.
What I would suggest is that GCT make a 3 day Normandy pre trip or post trip. Also show the movies "The Band of Brothers" one evening on the boat. They need to give their travelers a real experience of D Day.
The remainder of the boat ride was OK but 40 people in a group does not lend itself to learning and discovery. Lulu did as good a job as possible but with that many people it is difficult.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles, thank you for sharing your feedback. Although we strive to provide our travelers with the best possible experience, many activities are subject to the weather or time availability. We will share your feedback regarding the time spent in Normandy during this trip with our regional team.
Written 29 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trek35741564362
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
This was the most unusual and beautiful scenic trip. I never realized that there were so many hundreds of miles of land that is covered in outstanding rock formations with little or no signs of civilization. It really makes me realize how very vast our country is. Be prepared to take many pictures.
I went solo and yet I met quite a few other solo women with whom to do things. The included meals were very good, except for the lunch at the Grand Canyon. I suggest Grand Circle allow us to buy our own lunch there. The breakfasts were disappointing. They felt more like fast food. I would say the hotels were 4 star, but the last hotel, Little America, was really divine and had a terrific breakfast.
The long bus rides that I was dreading, really didn't seem so long because we had lots of stops and places to visit on the way. We were continually given bathroom breaks and there was a bathroom on the bus with no way to wash your hands, however.
My tip for Zion would be to take the shuttle to any of your desired walks/hikes, but to skip the Visitor Center, which is stop #1. It took 30 minutes standing in line before we could get back on the shuttle.
I went solo and yet I met quite a few other solo women with whom to do things. The included meals were very good, except for the lunch at the Grand Canyon. I suggest Grand Circle allow us to buy our own lunch there. The breakfasts were disappointing. They felt more like fast food. I would say the hotels were 4 star, but the last hotel, Little America, was really divine and had a terrific breakfast.
The long bus rides that I was dreading, really didn't seem so long because we had lots of stops and places to visit on the way. We were continually given bathroom breaks and there was a bathroom on the bus with no way to wash your hands, however.
My tip for Zion would be to take the shuttle to any of your desired walks/hikes, but to skip the Visitor Center, which is stop #1. It took 30 minutes standing in line before we could get back on the shuttle.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter C
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Jun 2023
We took the cruise Great Rivers of Europe from Amsterdam to Vienna on the River Adagio during June 2023. The cruise was enjoyable with good food and service from staff and had many interesting stopovers. The tour's Program Directors were excellent sources of local knowledge and were very helpful.
Our Program Director Hannes Ziener was especially good. He went out of his way to help us organise contacts with our European family and friends during the tour and was always available, helpful and friendly.
The onshore excursions were well organised and led. The optional concert tour in Vienna was particularly memorable for the high quality of the performers.
The trip featured good local entertainment as well as speakers on relevant topics. However, there could have been more in-depth attention by the speakers to current issues relevant to the European situation. For example, climate change was not addressed in any detail and the politics of the Ukraine situation were glossed over. All in all, a very enjoyable experience.
Our Program Director Hannes Ziener was especially good. He went out of his way to help us organise contacts with our European family and friends during the tour and was always available, helpful and friendly.
The onshore excursions were well organised and led. The optional concert tour in Vienna was particularly memorable for the high quality of the performers.
The trip featured good local entertainment as well as speakers on relevant topics. However, there could have been more in-depth attention by the speakers to current issues relevant to the European situation. For example, climate change was not addressed in any detail and the politics of the Ukraine situation were glossed over. All in all, a very enjoyable experience.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your kind words. We are always happy to hear about your experience with us! We hope you join us again in the future.
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michelle M
San Clemente, CA18 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We went on the Romantic Blue Danube, River Adagio Cruise (twin ship Aria) as our first river cruise and loved it! The experience far exceeded our expectations and we even made some new friends.
The program directors kept us informed regarding each destination’s activities but we were also free to go off script and visit any area in more depth. We were reminded that this was our vacation and we should choose what we wanted and enjoy it! It was easy to walk or catch public transportation from each stop making it possible to occasionally enjoy lunch at local restaurants after the tours.
There was great variety between the local guides and evening programs; all providing cultural and historical insight to the four countries visited. We would have missed all of this if we had travelled on our own.
We sough out restaurants in Prague and would recommend reservations at both Kuchyn, in Prague Castle district, and Zvonice, in a bell tower. Vienna was full of museums and we could have easily stayed another day. In Vienna we left the tour prior to entering St. Steven’s Cathedral and visited a coffeehouse. When we went back to the Cathedral mass was starting so we heard the organ playing! Wonderful.
The staff were lovely and generous. Their kindness and enthusiasm added to our experience without a doubt! Thank you Grand Circle for the first of many wonderful river cruises.
The program directors kept us informed regarding each destination’s activities but we were also free to go off script and visit any area in more depth. We were reminded that this was our vacation and we should choose what we wanted and enjoy it! It was easy to walk or catch public transportation from each stop making it possible to occasionally enjoy lunch at local restaurants after the tours.
There was great variety between the local guides and evening programs; all providing cultural and historical insight to the four countries visited. We would have missed all of this if we had travelled on our own.
We sough out restaurants in Prague and would recommend reservations at both Kuchyn, in Prague Castle district, and Zvonice, in a bell tower. Vienna was full of museums and we could have easily stayed another day. In Vienna we left the tour prior to entering St. Steven’s Cathedral and visited a coffeehouse. When we went back to the Cathedral mass was starting so we heard the organ playing! Wonderful.
The staff were lovely and generous. Their kindness and enthusiasm added to our experience without a doubt! Thank you Grand Circle for the first of many wonderful river cruises.
Written 5 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard M
Flower Mound, TX1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Friends
Ireland was so green and beautiful scenery, with lots of sheep’s and cattle. The people spoke English and very friendly as we traveled from Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Killarney and Galway. We saw several castles, which Abbey and Blarney was in such a beautiful areas. Enjoyed the fish and chips and beef stew. We got lucky and had beautiful weather sunshine most of the 14 day trip in the 70’s and the two days of rain we got stopped long enough to enjoy our tour at the Cliffs and Galway. I would go back and spend more time at Kilkenny and Killarney. The host lunch we had in Cobh (Cove) was great. She made stew and salad with apple dessert was wonderful and enjoyed her inside on Ireland.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
793casper
Memphis, TN131 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Joined the cruise in Amsterdam for Vienna. This was part of Europe we had never seen before and an ideal mode of transport. These river boats have around 160 passengers and 38 crew plus 4 Program Directors, so you enjoy small groups. They sometimes use local guides but for the most part they conduct the walking tours. There is usually a “gentle pace “ guide in some towns. These Directors are excellent always ready with a little humor and an extensive knowledge of the country.
Service was very good, especially in the restaurant. Breakfast was buffet style with a good selection of items as well as an omelette bar for custom requests. Lunch has a menu of usually local fare as well as a salad bar alternative. Dinner was usually 5 courses with a meat, fish, or vegetarian entree. There were also 2 dessert choices or fresh fruit alternatives. Portions were just right! The food was beautifully presented to add to enjoyment. Complimentary wine or beer is available at meals and in the lounge bar. Other drinks are available for a reasonable charge. There are some lunches in local restaurants so you can enjoy the local fare.
Our cruise was interrupted when the heavy rains in Europe caused flooding in Central Europe. As the rivers rose, the boat could not go under the already low bridges. We left the boat in Regensburg and were bussed to Vienna. The regional staff in Bratislava did a superb job organizing transportation at very short notice.
Service was very good, especially in the restaurant. Breakfast was buffet style with a good selection of items as well as an omelette bar for custom requests. Lunch has a menu of usually local fare as well as a salad bar alternative. Dinner was usually 5 courses with a meat, fish, or vegetarian entree. There were also 2 dessert choices or fresh fruit alternatives. Portions were just right! The food was beautifully presented to add to enjoyment. Complimentary wine or beer is available at meals and in the lounge bar. Other drinks are available for a reasonable charge. There are some lunches in local restaurants so you can enjoy the local fare.
Our cruise was interrupted when the heavy rains in Europe caused flooding in Central Europe. As the rivers rose, the boat could not go under the already low bridges. We left the boat in Regensburg and were bussed to Vienna. The regional staff in Bratislava did a superb job organizing transportation at very short notice.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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