FAQs

About Vantage

Who Is Vantage Deluxe World Travel?

Vantage Deluxe World Travel has been a highly respected travel company since 1983. We provide memorable journeys — including expedition cruises, small ship ocean cruises, river cruises, and land adventures — to destinations around the world

Vantage offers deluxe travel to tens of thousands of mature travelers each year. Because Vantage clients are generally seasoned travelers, special care is taken in creating first-rate, enriching programs with excellent accommodations, meals, and sightseeing at the best possible prices.

On a Vantage Memorable Journey, all details are taken care of – from airline tickets to hotel reservations, transfers and baggage handling. Each Vantage tour is enhanced with "people-to-people" encounters that we call Cultural Connections; exclusive cultural and educational extras that help you experience your destination up close.

How Does Vantage Promote Their Trips?

Vantage promotes our exclusive itineraries by direct mail and by email. Once you are added to our mailing list you will receive catalogs, flyers and emails promoting our trips. Pricing and availability is subject to change. For the most current information please see the pricing pages on the Vantage website, www.vantagetravel.com. If you prefer to receive only email promotions, you can advise your reservation specialist.

What’s the Difference Between a Small Ship Cruise Purveyor/Tour Operator and a Travel Agent?

Vantage is a tour operator and not a travel agent. Unlike travel agents, Vantage offers pre-packaged tours and itineraries. Vantage has contracts in place with specific vendors for specific time frames, which allows us to lock in pricing at dramatically reduced rates and pass our savings on to you. This is the key difference between a travel agent and Vantage: an agent can design a trip to your specifications while Vantage has already designed unforgettable journeys and adventures for you, with your travel budget in mind.

Does Vantage Allow for Deviation from their Itineraries?

It depends. Due to the contracts mentioned above, Vantage cannot, for instance, assist booked travelers with hotel deviations. If you want to stay in a different hotel than your fellow travelers during your trip, it is your responsibility to reserve that hotel and arrange your transportation between that hotel and the one where other travelers are staying under our contracted rate. However, we can customize your air arrangements through our FlightChoice program. See "How Can I Customize My Air Travel?" below.

Additionally, all U.S. based itineraries operate under the jurisdiction of Jones Act, which prohibits all ships of Non-U.S. registry from embarking and disembarking guests at two different U.S. ports. For more information see the relevant question below.

How Can Vantage Offer Deluxe Travel at Such Affordable Prices?

Vantage Deluxe World Travel has escorted more than 450,000 mature travelers around the world. This gives us unmatched buying power. By negotiating directly with hotels, ship owners, and other travel partners and then selling our tours to you, we can save our customers 20% or more. We are all also now the owners of a brand-new, 5-star ocean fleet consisting of the Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey; as well as two Deluxe river ships, the m/s Nebu and the m/s River Splendor. Our proven financial track record is demonstrated by our longevity, our consistently growing profitability, and our strong financial position, backed up by solid banking relationships. We're highly respected for what we do – and growing every year.

When Should I Reserve?

Vantage typically opens most journeys for reservation at least one year prior to departure — earlier for some trips. We recommend reserving expedition cruises and small ship ocean cruises as early as possible, considering many of these journeys have as few as 1-2 departures and the most desirable cabin categories tend to go quickly. Also, because Vantage offers a SmartPay discount of 10% to all travelers who reserve and pay in full up to a year before departure, most choose to reserve their trip very early. For these reasons, we suggest that you reserve as soon as you find a Vantage itinerary that interests you.

What Is a Pending Reservation?

If Vantage has not yet opened a tour for sale, you may make a pending reservation to reserve your spot and be the "first in line." A pending reservation requires a per person deposit, which is fully refundable or transferable to a different trip if you decide to cancel or change your trip before your pending reservation is confirmed by Vantage. A Travel Specialist with a confirmed reservation will contact travelers who make pending reservations once their trip is opened for sale.

How Can I Save Money with Vantage?

Vantage offers many savings opportunities to help you stretch your travel dollar. Follow this link to read the many ways you can save.

What are Vantage's Cancellation Penalties?

Cancellation penalties are calculated by the number of days prior to departure that you cancel, and by your destination. Please ask Travel Specialist for details or see Tour Participation Agreement.

We know that travelers sometimes (and regrettably) must cancel their trips for medical and other reasons. That's why we offer a very extensive Travel Protection Plan. Under our plan, you can cancel your trip at any time for any reason, and retain the full value of your Vantage trip. You can read more about this comprehensive plan here.

What are Vantage's hours of operation?

If you cannot find the answers to your questions on this website — or in the MyPortfolio section of our site if you are reserved on a trip — you call the following numbers at the following times:

Reservations — Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, Sunday: Closed
Customer Concierge Staff (for travelers who have reserved a trip and have questions about it) — Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, Sunday: Closed
Accounts Receivable — Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET, Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, Sunday: Closed (When they are open, Customer Concierge Staff
is available to assist you during off hours.)
Flight Choice — Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, Saturday: Closed, Sunday: Closed (When they are open, Customer Concierge Staff is available to assist you during off hours.)

How can I avoid long hold times when I call?

When we experience a high volume of calls, you can expect hold times in all areas of operation. If you'd like to avoid or reduce hold time, we recommend trying the following:

My Portfolio — If you are reserved on a trip, your trip information is available 24/7 on MyPortfolio on Vantage's website at www.vantagetravel.com/myportfolio. Here, you can view your flight information, day-by-day itinerary, invoice, and trip updates. You are able to self-service your reservation by adding optional tours, making payments, adding referrals and requesting flight changes. Follow this link to the My Portfolio Video for more details.
Email us — All emails are answered within 24 to 48 hours. Be as specific as possible with your question when you email us. Be sure to include your reservation number and your exact question so that we can answer you promptly and clearly. Just follow this link to e-mail us.

What is the best way to reach Vantage?

There are several ways to contact Vantage. Visit our Contact Us for details.

About Our Journeys

What kind of journeys does Vantage offer?

Vantage offer four different ways for our guests to travel spanning all seven continents — expedition cruises, small ship ocean cruises, river cruises, and land adventures. While these all fall under the umbrella of Vantage Journeys, they have distinct difference in the special interests they appeal to, pacing, activity level, formatting, and more. See below for more information on each type of Vantage journey.

What destinations do Vantage journeys visit?

Our range of destinations is broad – extending from the U.S. and Canada to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, and Antarctica. In short, the Vantage "reach" is all around the world. We even offer an Around-the-World journey that literally circumnavigates the globe.

What is an expedition cruise?

Expedition cruises are our more active itineraries which often touch rugged, bucket-list destinations teeming with natural beauty. They visit destinations in Antarctica, the Arctic, Northern Europe, and South America. Expeditions take place aboard our 5-star ocean fleet and are classified by the presence of an 8-17-member expedition team of naturalists, ornithologists, wildlife experts, equipment masters, and more who host enlightening lectures onboard and guide your zodiac excursions, wet landing, hikes, and more onshore. Expeditions have a maximum capacity of 130 travelers, and travelers embarking on an expedition must submit a health declaration and should be prepared for a more rigorous journey

What is a small ship ocean cruise?

We’re excited to invite travelers aboard our brand-new, 5-star Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey for small ship ocean cruises — defined by the ultimate luxury experience onboard combined with unforgettable cultural connections onshore. While onboard, relax at the top-deck infinity pool, indulge in a relaxing massage at the spa, or try hot-rock cooking at the onboard restaurant. Then, disembark for an eye-opening tours and visits to some of the world’s most iconic cities and hidden gems alike. While certain ports may require tendering to and from the ship, the small size of our vessels gives our travelers access to exclusive ports, less queuing, and more time to spend onshore in each destination.

What is a river cruise?

River cruises offer indulgent amenities while easing guests through serene and picturesque waterways. Sail along the Danube as you take in the charms of Bavaria, discover the greatest mysteries of Egypt along the Nile, or revel in the sprawling landscapes that dot the shoreline of Portugal’s Douro Valley. Whatever the destination, our hand-picked highlights and cultural connections allow you greater access and engaging encounters with locals, while guided by regional experts.

What is a land adventure?

Land adventures are designed for small groups of no more than 24 travelers, giving you greater access to people and places, for a more rewarding experience. Land adventures visit a variety of destinations including Northern and Southern Africa, North America, Australia, and Asia.

Which journeys can I use my Travel Credits toward?

You can combine all your travel and referral credits from any Vantage journey and apply them toward a future journey.

Do I receive the same traveler rewards with all Vantage Journeys?

Yes, the structure of traveler rewards is the same across both brands.

How are Vantage Journeys rated for activity level and pacing?

Both activity level and pacing for each journey are rated as Easy, Moderately Easy, Moderate, Moderately Strenuous, or Strenuous. To make sure you fully enjoy your adventure, and make sure the fellow travelers in your group do as well, we recommend you are in good physical health, with the ability to walk at least 2 miles a day unassisted. For specifics on each Vantage Journey, please reference What to Expect on the Full Itinerary tab at the top of our website. If you have any questions about which Vantage Journeys are right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-800-322-6677.

What do most Vantage Tours include?

FREE and Reduced Single Supplements — with FREE Single Supplements on ALL expedition cruises and small ship ocean cruises
5-star ship accommodations and exceptional, centrally located hotels
Round-trip transfers to and from hotels when you purchase Vantage’s air package
Baggage handling
Services of an experienced Cruise Director or Program Manager
Most meals (many with local flavor!) — including full breakfasts daily
All port charges in the destinations you visit
Exciting included features and Cultural Discoveries — lectures, city tours, visits with the locals, and onboard entertainment to enrich your experience
Pre-trip electronic mailings to keep you informed before you depart on your tour
Exclusive SmartPay Discount Plan offering significant savings
Option to purchase additional low-cost 100% Travel Protection

Things to Know Before You Reserve

How Can I Reserve a Vantage Trip?

Each trip requires a deposit of $500 per person and $1,000 per person for combination tours. Ocean Explorer deposits are $500 per person; $1,500 per person for combination tours comprised of three or more base itineraries; and 10% of the base price per person on Legends of Asia, the Holy Land & Europe: A 106-Day Exploration from Hong Kong to London and Vantage Wonders of the World Cruise: A 126-Day Voyage Across Cultures from Hong Kong to Stockholm. If you are able to pay in full for your trip at the time of booking, you can take advantage of our SmartPay savings. So we recommend you have your bank's routing number and account number available when you call. If you received a special promotion in your mail or by email regarding your destination please have the promotional code handy. For international itineraries, you must provide passport information at the time of booking, so it is helpful if you have your passports available when you call.

If I’m traveling alone, will Vantage find a roommate for me?

Although we can't promise a match, Vantage will make every effort to pair you with a compatible person of the same gender and smoking preference – so you won't have to pay a single supplement. Vantage offers two ways to connect you with other single travelers:

On most escorted land tours and many small ship cruises, you can request to be matched with a roommate and you'll pay just 50% of your trip's Single Supplement. If you find a roommate, we will refund you 50% for reservations in double occupancy cabins. If we are unable to find you a roommate, you'll have your own room anyway and pay just half the Single Supplement for your trip.
On select departures of most European river cruises and escorted land tours, you'll find designated Guaranteed Share Dates. Reserve one of these dates and you'll avoid the Single Supplement entirely, whether we match you with a roommate or not.

What are the Age Restrictions?

Vantage requires all travelers to be above 8 years of age

Are Your Tours Wheelchair Accessible?

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate wheelchairs on our North America land programs, as countries outside the United States and Canada do not have same requirements and laws in place for handicapped accessibility. While our small ship and expedition cruising vessels are wheelchair accessible, we don’t recommend these journeys to guests in wheelchairs. Due to the size of our ship, we only have one elevator available that does not visit all decks. These journeys also require the use of tenders and Zodiac crafts to get to and from the ship in many of the destination ports that we visit, which involves boarding small vessels on potentially unpredictable waters.

Are Vantage Tours Conducted in English?

Yes, all Vantage Cruise & Tour Directors are English-speaking – and they know our American travelers quite well. What's more, tours led by local guides are always conducted in English.

Do All the Hotels Have Private Baths?

Yes, all hotels have private facilities in the room or adjacent — with shower or shower/tub combination.

If I’m traveling on a U.S. based cruise, am I permitted to disembark my journey at a port of my choice?

All U.S. based itineraries operate under the jurisdiction of Jones Act. The Jones Act prohibits all ships of Non-U.S. registry from embarking and disembarking guests at two different U.S. ports. This means that guests are not permitted to permanently disembark this journey at a secondary U.S. port of their choice, as this would be a violation of the law. Any guest who insists on disembarking the ship in a port which violates the Jones Act will be responsible for any resulting penalties. For more information on the Jones act, click here.

Vantage Air Arrangements

How Do You Reserve My Flights?

When Vantage arranges your flights as part of your tour, we do our best to reserve direct nonstop flights whenever possible. Routing always depends on airline availability, departure city, and destination. We cannot book international flights until 300 days prior to your departure date. Domestic flights are reserved approximately 125 days prior to departure. Once your preliminary itinerary is in place, our Flights team will contact you to review your options and either make or request your changes.

FlightChoice — If you reserve your Vantage trip inside 300 days prior to departure, you will receive a phone call from our FlightChoice team. Once your requests have been processed, your flight itinerary will be emailed to you and will be available on your MyPortfolio account. Please note that all flight arrangements are subject to change until boarding. Airlines reserve the right to make any changes at their discretion. See "How Can I Customize My Air Travel?" below.

Can I Earn Frequent Flyer Miles on My Airline Ticket?

Please be aware that frequent flyer mileage accrual is at the sole discretion of the airlines. In order to qualify for consideration, present your frequent flyer number upon check-in at the airport. Each individual airline – not Vantage – determines if frequent flyer miles will be given. Please retain your boarding passes until you receive your frequent flyer statement from the airline. Only boarding passes serve as proof of flight. Boarding passes MUST accompany all ticket information sent directly to the airline. Requests received by Vantage for copies of airline tickets will be assessed an administrative fee.

Please note: Vantage cannot obtain copies of your boarding passes.

Should you decide to use frequent flier miles to purchase a separate ticket to connect with your tour, you do so at your own risk. If the tour changes or cannot operate for any reason, you will be responsible for the cancellation or change fees associated with your ticket. Additionally, you will not be entitled to Travel Protection or Common Carrier insurance through Vantage for the portions of your trip flown on a separate ticket. Further, you will be responsible for the airport/hotel transfers normally provided by a Vantage air and tour package. For more details, read our Tour Participation Agreement.

Can I Reserve My Own Air?

Yes. However, some programs require Vantage to arrange your air. Please ask a Travel Specialist for details

Do you provide transfers?

Yes. Transfers are included for any travelers reserving their air through Vantage, except when taking advantage of our free air offers, in which case transfers can be arranged for an extra fee. However if you are arranging your own air (for instance, to cash in frequent flier miles) or if you are otherwise deviating (for instance, if you are flying to your destination a day early or departing a day late), then you are responsible for your transfers from and to the airport. However, if you purchased only the Land Tour from Vantage and you happen to be arriving and/or departing around the same time as our other travelers, you may purchase transfers from Vantage. Prices vary by destination. Please ask a Travel Specialist for details.

How Can I Customize My Air Travel?

If you'd like to request specific air arrangements, you'll love our FlightChoice program. For a moderate fee a Vantage flights specialist will research an itinerary that suits your travel preferences, advise you of your choices and the added cost, and confirm your selected flights. Depending upon your trip and departure city, FlightChoice options may include:

Early arrival at your destination
Later return home from your destination
Specific routing for your flights
Your preferred air carrier
A stopover at a city or destination en route

What Are My Luggage Restrictions?

For ease of transfer, Vantage suggests you limit your luggage to one large suitcase and one small carry-on bag per person. The large piece of luggage may be checked on your flight and stored in a motorcoach luggage compartment, while the carry-on bag should be small enough to fit into the overhead rack on flights and in motorcoaches. Please verify size and weight restrictions with your airline according to your destination. Airlines may impose an additional fee if your luggage exceeds specified limits. As a guideline, maximum size for a carry-on bag is 45" in total dimension (length + width + height). Remember, soft-sided luggage made of a durable nylon is lighter and tends to expand to hold more contents.

Valuables, breakable items, and hand luggage should be carried personally. If you are carrying documents, camera equipment, or any type of medication, please store it in your carry-on luggage so it will always be accessible. If you plan to purchase goods such as furniture, rugs, etc. during your trip, shipping arrangements must be made at the time of purchase.

What sort of baggage regulations are there during Vantage trips to Asia?

Checked luggage: Checked luggage throughout Asia cannot exceed 44 lbs. Luggage allowance is limited and strictly enforced. Items in excess of this weight must be checked and can incur costs of up to $4 per lb. based on weight and distance traveled. (Items that exceed the weight limit may not need to be checked if you are traveling in Myanmar.) Vantage recommends that you lock all of your checked luggage.

Carry-on bags: You may carry on one piece of luggage only with a weight of not over 11 lbs (15 lbs in Vietnam and Cambodia) and dimensions not exceeding 9" x 14" x 22" (8" x 16" x 22" in China).

How can Vantage assist me in the unlikely event of a forced overnight stay resulting from airline schedules or from an international flight cancellation or delay?

Sometimes airline schedules require travelers to stay overnight at a nearby airport hotel on the night before their trip is scheduled to begin. In such a case, for those travelers who have purchased their air from Vantage, Vantage will notify you of the required overnight stay and offer to assist you in making your hotel reservations. However, all costs for the additional overnight stay (including hotel, food costs and other expenses) are the responsibility of the traveler.

In the event of a cancelled or delayed flight that forces an overnight stay, travelers are advised to work directly with the airline for reimbursement. Or, if they have purchased Vantage's Travel Protection Plan, travelers can work with TripMate for reimbursement.

After You Reserve

Will I Receive a Confirmation?

Yes. Once you reserve you will receive a confirmation email. This email is not only to thank you for reserving with us but will also supply you with destination information and access to "My Portfolio" so that all your trip details will be at your fingertips merely by logging into to your personal Vantage account. As your departure approaches, Vantage will continue to send you correspondence via email to help you prepare for your trip.

When Will I Receive My Invoice?

An invoice package will be emailed to you once you reserve. This package includes a detailed invoice, our Tour Participation Agreement and details about our Travel Protection Plan. While you wait for this information to arrive by mail, you will also have access to your trip information on MyPortfolio.

If you make changes to your reservation, please allow 24-48 business hours for processing. Once the changes have been applied, your invoice will be updated on your MyPortfolio account.

What is MyPortfolio?

MyPortfolio is an easy and convenient way to keep up to date on all the details of your upcoming trip and to manage your travel preferences. When you create your very own, secure account on www.vantagetravel.com, all of your trip details will be at your fingertips, including trip preparation tips, invoice details, air itineraries and more. Plus, you can plan your next Vantage trip using the Travel Planner on MyPortfolio, update your travel preferences so that we can keep you informed about upcoming itineraries that appeal to you, keep track of your earned travel rewards and refer other travelers to Vantage. All in one central place that you can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you don't have a MyPortfolio account, you can register for yours here.

When Is My Final Payment Due?

Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure for most Vantage trips. Final payment for Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey combination tours is due 180 days prior to departure. Please our see Terms and Conditions for full details.

Does Vantage mail Final Documents?

Vantage will send out a Final Document package including luggage tags and name badges 10-14 days prior to your departure date to the address on file. Any changes to your address need to be received no later than 30 days prior to your departure date to ensure receipt. Additionally, you can access and print all relevant information pertaining to your departure from your MyPortfolio account at www.vantagetravel.com/myportfolio.

How Long Does My Passport Need To Be Valid?

This depends on the country to which you are traveling and the country which issued your passport. Most US passports must be valid up to 6 months upon return from your trip (again, based on your destination). Please visit www.state.gov for details about your specific destination.

Do I Need A Visa?

This depends on your Passport country of issue and the country to which you are traveling. U.S. passport carries can refer to the KNOW BEFORE YOU GO section, which appears both in their MyPortfolio account and on the "Full Itinerary" page of your trip at www.vantagetravel.com.

Will Vantage Arrange for My Visa if I Need One?

Vantage has a visa service that will process your request for a modest fee. However, only certain nations require a visa — among them: Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Russia and the Baltic States, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Vietnam. Vantage will advise you about requirements well in advance of your departure date.

Are Vaccinations Required?

All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, which should display your name, vaccine type, and the dates each dose was administered. We also recommend keeping a picture of it on your phone if it is lost or damaged. Travelers who arrive at their destination without proof of vaccination will be required to return home at their own expense. We do not require vaccinations against illnesses other than COVID-19 at this time.

Can I Rate Your Service?

Yes. Prior to your departure you will be asked to complete a pre-trip survey. Survey results are reviewed each week by the management team. We encourage you to let us know how we are doing so we can improve our service to you. In addition, after each phone call to our sales and Customer Concierge Staff
team, you will be transferred to a post-call survey. This allows us to monitor agents' individual service levels. We thank you in advance for your feedback

After Returning from a Trip

How Can I Provide Feedback About My Trip?

A few days prior to your departure you will receive online access to a Post-Trip Survey on your MyPortfolio account. We encourage you to complete this survey during your on tour while your experience is fresh in your mind. We use your surveys to modify and change all aspects of our tours. We invite you to complete the survey candidly and thoroughly.

How Can I Write a Review of My Trip?

After you have returned, you will be able to let everyone know what you enjoyed most about your Vantage experience. You can go to your MyPortfolio account and fill out a trip review. Your reviews will be posted on the Trip Details page of Vantage's website.

Do You Offer Benefits to Past Travelers?

Absolutely! The more you travel with Vantage, the more benefits you'll enjoy. We invite you to visit our President's Club page to learn more.

Other Questions: How Do I Get Them Answered?

Simply send Vantage an e-mail with your question or request for more information – or call Vantage directly, toll free, 1-888-982-6824.