Mass. AG recovers $1.2 million for jilted Vantage cruise consumers

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Attorney General Office’s has recovered more than $1.2 million for Vantage consumers who said they were burned by the company, an AG spokesperson said.

Boston-based Vantage Deluxe World Travel 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 all trips through Aug. 28 are postponed, according to an internal memo obtained by Consumer Rescue.

The AG’s Office has received 818 consumer complaints against Vantage since Jan. 1, 2020, including 181 complaints filed in 2023, the spokesperson said.

“We are currently providing consumer assistance to [Massachusetts] residents and advising non-residents to file [complaints] in their respective states,” an AG spokesperson said in an email.

Vantage has said it’s actively looking to sell the company.

“We are currently engaged in sensitive negotiations for a sale of the company. Our primary goal is to obtain the best outcome for our customers. Confidentiality agreements governing our negotiations prevent us from commenting further at this time,” Vantage General Counsel Rossella Mercuri said in an email to Boston 25 on June 9.

According to a Boston 25 tipster, Vantage employees recently lost their healthcare coverage and are having trouble getting paid. That person sent several internal memos detailing timecard issues and the loss of benefits-provider Insperity.

“No deductions will be made for Medical/Dental/Vision/Transit/FSA/HSA,” a June 8 employee memo said. “We are working on securing alternate benefits and will update once confirmed.”

Consumer Rescue founder Michelle Couch-Friedman said she’s been in contact with Vantage employees who are concerned about their jobs and the way Vantage is conducting business. She said an employee told her workers did not receive their anticipated paychecks Friday.

“They are as distraught as the customers,” Couch-Friedman said. “What I’m hearing are stressed-out employees who are bearing the brunt of whatever’s happening at Vantage.”

Mercuri said on June 9 the company is paying its employees but didn’t respond to any follow-up emails seeking clarification.

“Vantage has timely paid and will timely pay all amounts due to employees,” she said in a statement on June 9.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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