BOSTON – Amid ongoing investigations, lawsuits and hundreds of consumer complaints, the Boston cruise line Vantage Deluxe World Travel laid off its employees last week, according to Rescue to the consumer.
Consumer advocate and mediator Michelle Couch-Friedman said she spoke with several former Vantage employees who told her the company allowed them to make a company-wide phone call on June 20.
“Until last Tuesday, they were told that some mysterious investor would save them. That’s why they kept working and selling these cruises,” Couch-Friedman said. “The employees who contacted me were very upset. They really believed that this was not going to be the end of Vantage.
The company Canal St. It has been under fire for months after hundreds of consumers complained about a lack of refunds for canceled or postponed trips. Earlier this month, the company quietly told its employees that all travel through Aug. 28 was being postponed, according to an internal memo obtained by Rescue to the consumer.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has received 818 consumer complaints about Vantage since Jan. 1, 2020, including 181 complaints filed in 2023, an AG spokesman said.
“We are currently providing assistance to the consumer [Massachusetts] residents and advising non-residents to present them [complaints] in their respective states,” the spokesman said in a June 20 email.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office filed suit against Vantage Earlier this month, he accused the company of “deceptive and unfair business practices” and taking advantage of older residents “to continue to hold their refunds hostage.”
“Many of the affected consumers were in their sixties and older,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. “If Pennsylvania consumers pay for goods or services and get nothing in return, our office will fight for those victims.”
Vantage did not respond to requests for comment. The latest statement was issued on June 9 when the company’s lawyer said Vantage was actively looking to sell the company.
“We are currently involved in sensitive negotiations for the sale of the company. Our primary objective is to obtain the best outcome for our clients. Confidentiality agreements governing our negotiations prevent us from commenting further at this time ” said Vantage General Counsel Rossella Mercuri.
Couch-Friedman said what bothers her is that Vantage’s website remains up and appears to be active, with no message or warning that there are problems with the company.
“The fact is that the portal is open. Employees tell me that even today people can go in there and make a payment on a future cruise. I can’t imagine that anyone today can say that these cruises beyond August will work. There is no crew. There are no employees,” Couch-Friedman said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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