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.
Seniors impacted
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.
Expedition ships laid up, other trips reportedly 'postponed'
As earlier reported here, the Boston-based company's chartered Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey went into layup in late May in Caen, France for an unknown period. There have been subsequent reports of other trips through Aug. 28 being 'postponed,' and the Massachusetts Attorney General has amassed hundreds of complaints about Vantage since 2020.
According to nearby state Pennsylvania's lawsuit, 'In numerous instances, Vantage failed to fully and timely issue refunds to Pennsylvania consumers for their canceled travel tours by deeming those tours “postponed” or “rescheduled” rather than canceled. Consumers were forced to either rebook a new tour after years of delay or submit a cancellation request for a partial refund, which was subject to a per-person cancellation penalty fee of up to 100% of the purchase price.
'Many of these tours had a purchase price of up to $10,000 per person, or even more in some instances,' the complaint said.
The Pennsylvania attorney general alleged Vantage advertised and accepted payments from consumers for tour reservations that they knew or reasonably should have known could not be fulfilled on their purchased departure date.
In business since 1983
Vantage, in business since 1983, has operated a wide range of trips including land adventures and river, ocean and expedition cruises.
In recent years the company chartered two of SunStone Maritime Group's Infinity-class newbuilds, 2021's Ocean Explorer and 2022's Ocean Odyssey.
Sources said Vantage has been looking to raise capital since at least late 2021.
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