OVERVIEW
Grand Circle Cruise Line owns or privately charters a fleet of 50- to 250-passengers ships operated exclusively for its Grand Circle Small Ship and River Cruise vacations division. The fleet is known for being a decent value and providing informative experiences at a leisurely pace in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. They do not cater to families or allow young people onboard as their mission is to assist retired Americans live more vital lives through travel and to build local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and volunteerism. A free roommate matching program is offered to help solo travelers find same gender roommates.
It is important to note that Grand Circle managed to capture six of the top tens pots in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2013 Reader’s Poll of the World’s Best River Boats. It is a tribute to the word-of-mouth and the brand loyalty of those who have traveled with this company.
Travel with Grand Circle is not a luxurious experience but does provide the opportunity to gain an understanding of other cultures, histories, traditions and people. In-depth onboard lectures and shore excursions are led by Program Directors, local residence with knowledge of their culture and the training and ability to convey it to others. Grand Circle guests are encouraged expand their knowledge of other places and those who live there and these “discoveries” (the company’s term for those moments of enlightenment and understanding each passenger undergoes during their trip) are at the essence of these educational journeys.
OWNERSHIP AND HISTORY
Grand Circle Travel was originally established in 1958 as an arm of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) by its founder Ethel Andrus. Andrus, a retired educator created the organization based on the belief retired people should remain actively engaged and viewed travel as an opportunity to experience new challenges and to invigorate the mind. The result is a line that primarily caters to the AARP Mailing List.
Today, the company continues under the private ownership of Alan and Harriet Lewis, who purchased Grand Circle Travel in 1985. In 1993, they expanded the product line by purchasing Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Overseas Adventure Travel to provide adventurous safari experiences. Five years later, the Lewises launched Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises with a fleet of some 60 privately-owned and/or chartered ships.
Along with its current operations, mention should be made of the company’s strong philanthropic commitment in the areas where it operates and embodiment of responsible tourism overall. Since 1992, the Grand Circle Foundation has committed over $50 million to educational, humanitarian and cultural organizations worldwide.
OFFICERS AND CREW
Grand Circle guest to crew ratio is generally 2:1 or 3:1. Officers are of European decent and other staff members are international. Each voyage consists of several locally-sourced Program Directors to ensure a positive experience, even emailing future guests in advance of a sailing to answer any questions.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All onboard accommodations aboard Grand Circle vessels are outside and range in size from 120 to 231 square feet. The main difference between cabins is their location and view. The cabins are well-maintained, although décor is outdated, and come complete with individual thermostats, closets, wall safes, telephones and color TV. Cabins were not designed with romance in mind as many have twin berths only, which fold up during the day to create two small sofa-style seats. Given the modest cabin size, the additional space does help them to feel more spacious.
Best Accommodations: Upper-deck cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and a 16 square foot balcony.
Standard Accommodations: Mid and lower-level deck cabins have large windows.
Entry-Level Accommodations: The lowest deck windows are barely above water level and have chest-high porthole-like windows.
BATHROOMS
As is true of the cabins, private en suite bathrooms are simple but sufficient. They are equipped with shelves under the sink plus a cabinet. The shower stall is placed in the corner to maximize space and consists of a high-flow shower head, curtain and metal lip on the tile floor. Amenities include hair-dryer, soap and shampoo dispensers and various toiletries.
DINING
Meals aboard Grand Circle’s ships are handled professionally although they will not likely win any culinary awards. Each ship’s single restaurants offers one, casual, open-seating for all meals and are non-smoking. Some guests take the opportunity to dress at a resort or country club level on special evenings, but many don’t. House wine (often locally sourced), beer and soft drinks are complimentary at lunch and dinner.
Breakfast and lunch tend to be served buffet style and the 4-or 5-course dinners are served ala carte. Regional and local specialties are featured daily and deck top barbeques are a crowd favorite. Most itineraries include one home-hosted meal. This experience, while home-cooked and basic tends to be a highlight for many Grand Circle passengers offering the chance to savor local delicacies and interact with local residents.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
With all Grand Circle trips, including Grand Circle Cruise Lines, the experience is about immersing one’s self in other cultures and not creature comforts. All shore excursions have a have a strong educational component and are oriented towards guest enrichment. The company owns and operates all excursions. Program Directors facilitates the shore excursions and offer a combination of lecturers, tours, classes, home visits and the chance to interact with local people. On all Grand Circle Cruises, passengers are over 50, and in some cases much older, therefore shore excursions are operated on a moderate pace.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Entertainment aboard Grand Circle ships mimics what would likely be found at an assisted living facility for the well-educated. While there may be a costume night, talent show, bingo or karaoke, the focus of evening activities tends to be on the side of learning, with classes offered on map orientation, local languages, regional cooking or discussions on a range of topics related to the itinerary.
SPA AND FITNESS OPTIONS
Spa and fitness offerings are very limited onboard Grand Circle Cruises. Some ships offer an exercise bike or treadmill off to the side on the main deck and others feature a jacuzzi on the sun deck.
AIR/SEA AND PROMOTIONAL PRICING
Promotions are offered on some departures based on unsold inventory although leaving your vacation planning to the last minute does have inherent risks and is almost guarantees the most popular itineraries will not be available.
Grand Circle’s Air department will assist guests with securing their international airfare based upon their contracted rates with the airlines. Routing and airlines options are dictated by the contracts however pricing is guaranteed year-round. Guests are not given the best available flight options under this program.
