Visits
Angkor Wat, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Luang Prabang, Saigon, Siem Reap
Biking past rice paddies on the Mekong Delta
Getting a personal mahout lesson on an elephant
Visiting a floating village in Halong Bay
Themes
Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Relaxing Retreats, Transformative, Sailing
What travelers are saying
"My mom, sister and I booked a luxury tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos with Classic Journeys at a significant expense. We expected an experience comparable to industry leaders like Tauck, Micato, & Abercrombie and Kent. Unfortunately, the service provided by Classic Journeys did not meet the high standards of luxury travel, despite their claim to be in those ranks.
Summarized concerns & shortfalls of Classic Journeys below:
Pre-Trip Preparation: The lack of attention to detail began with visa arrangements; their team didn’t clearly communicate Visa requirements. They were unaware that proof of visa was necessary to board the flight to Vietnam from the US. In many instances, you can get a Visa upon arrival, etc. This failure of communication resulted in last-minute fees, expediting costs, and significant stress. Important travel details like vaccines, luggage restrictions, and fitness levels required for the daytrips were poorly communicated.
**Accommodations and Logistics**: Our experience with accommodations was EXTREMELY disappointing. We were compelled to book extra nights at our expense due to inefficient tour logistics. One hotel was over an hour away from the airport, contrary to the 15 minutes we were told. Additionally, we encountered last-minute hotel downgrades and substandard room assignments. It is not expensive to book a 5-star hotel in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Nice rooms in luxury hotels were typically under $250/night. When we arrived at disappointing accommodations, we googled the cost of the rooms. In multiple instances, they were in the $75 - $80/night range, while beautiful rooms were available at nearby hotels for $150 - $200/night. For the amount we paid for the trip, we were horrified to discover that Classic Journeys penny pinched on such an important trip element. At one point, we were housed near trash and service areas, and instructed to dispose of soiled toilet paper in a bin rather than toilet. It is clear that Classic Journeys was seeking to capture profit at the expense of their travelers.
**Air Travel and Benefits**: Classic Journeys failed to include our airline loyalty information for the various flights we took getting from point A to B, costing us access to benefits like extra baggage and VIP lounge access. On one flight, for which we would have had status benefits, we were seated on the last row of the plane in seats with no recline. They also did not allow us to access our own reservation details, including confirmation and ticketing numbers so that we could enter loyalty information ourselves, despite multiple requests.
**Lack of Itinerary Details **: The physical demands of activities like a 2-3 mile walk on rolling terrain and uneven ground in extreme heat (105 degrees) were not disclosed beforehand, which is crucial for planning. Most luxury tour companies have a rating system that is utilized to indicate the level of exertion required for the day-trip, for example one tennis shoe for low activity level, two tennis shoes for moderate activity or fitness level, and 3 tennis shoes for a strenuous or difficult activity. Classic Journeys had no such rating system. I informed Classic Journeys of a significant knee injury that occurred on a ski trip in February. I also told them it was very possible that I would be in a knee immobilizing brace from mid-thigh to ankle. They told me they didn’t feel any modifications were necessary, with the exception of one day when we rode bikes. My mom is also a Type 1 diabetic and has had 2 knee replacements. We informed Classic Journeys of these health conditions. They didn’t provide adequate information regarding preparation for the activities in their itinerary.
While our guides and drivers (contracted from another agency) were exceptional, the numerous logistical and service failures from Classic Journeys have prompted us to write this review. Future travelers should be wary and consider all available options when booking a luxury tour, especially given the significant cost and expectations of such trips."
