Our Gang Travel - Maplewood, New Jersey

Zakkiyya L.

Worst experience ever. This was my first cruise ever and i was not at all happy. The agency didnt explain much to me all they did was take my money. I called a week before the trip to make sure all was well and that i had everything for my trip. Sheila asked if i registered for the boat and i said no because i was not informed to do so. I assumed that was what i paid her for. She then had the audacity to say well i guess you wont be going on your trip. Come to find out no one in my group had registered. She said they sent an email and we all got it. Which was not true she sent everything to one person out the group. Luckily the cruise line got us all set to go. I will never book with them again and i didnt even get a break down of my charges.

I A. S.

Just called this company about a cruise trip to the the Bahamas, just to get more information because I have never been on a cruise. The way this woman laughed at my questions like I was stupid instead of explaining to me , is truly ridiculous. Why would I want to spend my money here if the customer service is poor. I am in disbelief. It was an older woman at that like get some etiquette and customer service skills, learn how to talk to people! I literally hung up on her in mid laugh

ELLEN C.

I've had the pleasure of traveling with this amazing agency around the world. What I can tell you is their travel expertise exceeds expectations. Superior customer service is an art to them and they've perfected every aspect of it. My favorite trip was Egypt! Everything I've ever dreamed of regarding Egypt was in the plans. Cruising down the Nile River imagining how Moses parted the red sea was mind blowing and taking a dip in it was the greatest feeling ever! I travel often and you can best believe that no other agency caters to my desires like Our Gang Group.

Priscilla F.

We are focusing more and more on supporting businesses owned by African Americans. Last year the Class of 1972, @Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC booked a cruise with @Our Gang Travel, 1897 Springfield Ave., Maplewood, NJ. We were set to go out on @Royal Caribbean International Ovation of the Seas, August 21-28, 2020 to Alaska and Canada to celebrate our 70th birthdays until COVID19 turned the world into a global pandemic. Following all the CDC guidelines and warnings from the federal government, we decided to let the agency know that we did not want to continue to invest in the cruise. We were given the option to transfer our deposits to a cruise in 2021. As we watched the number of infections and deaths continue to rise and being in the high- risk age group, we did not want to make that commitment without a vaccine. Long story made short, Our Gang Travel penalized each of us $250 ($500 for one travel member because she was in a cabin by herself) for a situation we had no control over. Several weeks after they penalized us, Royal Caribbean canceled the cruise. The agency refused to refund our deposits based on "contractual agreement" which of course was prior to COVID19. This amounted to $3000 to set up the account with Royal Caribbean and collect several payments and submit to RCCL. Checking with other friends who had booked cruises that were not black owned agencies, one received 100% of their money back, the other was charged a $35 administration fee. Those agencies recognized the health crisis and worked with their clients. If it had not been for the coronavirus we would not have canceled the cruise. We were given the impression that RCCL would keep the deposits but all the money paid by credit card to Royal Caribbean was refunded to our credit card accounts. One of our classmates paid 100% of her payments on her credit card and RCCL refunded 100% of her money. In a phone conversation, the agency said they "deserved to get paid". They kept our deposits and the cruise was canceled by RCCL. Integrity is everything when dealing with a business. We will never use this agency and would encourage others not to as well.

Marie B.

My family solicited the services of Our Gang for a cruise to the Caribbean as apart of a group trip with our church. I'll admit that our family presented a unique situation because we're arriving to the Ft Lauderdale cruise ship from different cities, specifically MD, NJ, and Orlando. Ever since my Mom paid up front for the travel/cruise arrangements, it has been a non-stop thrill ride with these folks. We frequently had to call them to rehash details over and over again and each time we called it was as if we had never spoken before. Don't even get me started on the rudeness and disdain for customer service. Each time there was an issue, we always had to call and get the status of the reservation...what ever happened to them calling us and giving us reassurance. I guess in 2014 customer service has gone the way of the dodo bird. Long story short, 5 weeks out from the trip we had a final meeting with Our Gang and were presented our travel packages. Our flight reservations were all screwed up and by screwed up I mean my mom and sister had no flight reservations. Just how, exactly, did Our Gang expect them to get from NJ to FL? Floo Powder (shout out to my HP brethern)

My thoughts...if you need to book group travel just go through a reputable travel agency and not a questionable 'mom n pop' that someone recommended probably as a hook up. Or just have everyone book the travel on their own, isn't that what Expedia and the interwebs are for?

I chose not to give them one star only because one star implies "hate" per Google and I'm not quite there yet, but "dislike" seems to fit my current mood.

Imani M.

Our Gang Travel-Very professional and planning amazing trips for me to Australia and Antigua. I loved how I was constantly informed on all aspects of my trips. I will continue using their services to ensure I have amazing unique international experiences.

Mary A. J.

I’ve used them for over 20 years and often. I’ve had countless awesome and unique experiences because of Our Gang Travel. Amazing adventures in uniquely beautiful locations. I’ve used them to go to Thailand, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, Crete, Greece, Italy, Spain, many Caribbean Islands (Jamaica, Aruba, Bermuda, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, Mexico, Haiti & the Dominican Republic). Some locations more than once and for different locations in the same country (i.e. Madrid, Barcelona & Magala Spain). Each experience has been wonderfully memorable. In 2018, I booked three trips with them, my friends & family loved them.

Our Gang over the last 20 years has suggested unbelievable resorts & hotels (in Bali, Pavilion Villas- AMAZING) for me and provided delicious restaurant recommendations. As a result of their excellent, consistent customer service I’ve referred many people to them and each has come back thanking me.

mercksomething1

Wonderful people. The best in the travel game. Don’t trust others. Your vacation is too valuable to put in the hands of an internet company or other travel company.

Zakkiyya L.

Worst experience ever. This was my first cruise ever and i was not at all happy. The agency didnt explain much to me all they did was take my money. I called a week before the trip to make sure all was well and that i had everything for my trip. Sheila asked if i registered for the boat and i said no because i was not informed to do so. I assumed that was what i paid her for. She then had the audacity to say well i guess you wont be going on your trip. Come to find out no one in my group had registered. She said they sent an email and we all got it. Which was not true she sent everything to one person out the group. Luckily the cruise line got us all set to go. I will never book with them again and i didnt even get a break down of my charges.

I A. S.

Just called this company about a cruise trip to the the Bahamas, just to get more information because I have never been on a cruise. The way this woman laughed at my questions like I was stupid instead of explaining to me , is truly ridiculous. Why would I want to spend my money here if the customer service is poor. I am in disbelief. It was an older woman at that like get some etiquette and customer service skills, learn how to talk to people! I literally hung up on her in mid laugh

ELLEN C.

I've had the pleasure of traveling with this amazing agency around the world. What I can tell you is their travel expertise exceeds expectations. Superior customer service is an art to them and they've perfected every aspect of it. My favorite trip was Egypt! Everything I've ever dreamed of regarding Egypt was in the plans. Cruising down the Nile River imagining how Moses parted the red sea was mind blowing and taking a dip in it was the greatest feeling ever! I travel often and you can best believe that no other agency caters to my desires like Our Gang Group.

Priscilla F.

We are focusing more and more on supporting businesses owned by African Americans. Last year the Class of 1972, @Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC booked a cruise with @Our Gang Travel, 1897 Springfield Ave., Maplewood, NJ. We were set to go out on @Royal Caribbean International Ovation of the Seas, August 21-28, 2020 to Alaska and Canada to celebrate our 70th birthdays until COVID19 turned the world into a global pandemic. Following all the CDC guidelines and warnings from the federal government, we decided to let the agency know that we did not want to continue to invest in the cruise. We were given the option to transfer our deposits to a cruise in 2021. As we watched the number of infections and deaths continue to rise and being in the high- risk age group, we did not want to make that commitment without a vaccine. Long story made short, Our Gang Travel penalized each of us $250 ($500 for one travel member because she was in a cabin by herself) for a situation we had no control over. Several weeks after they penalized us, Royal Caribbean canceled the cruise. The agency refused to refund our deposits based on "contractual agreement" which of course was prior to COVID19. This amounted to $3000 to set up the account with Royal Caribbean and collect several payments and submit to RCCL. Checking with other friends who had booked cruises that were not black owned agencies, one received 100% of their money back, the other was charged a $35 administration fee. Those agencies recognized the health crisis and worked with their clients. If it had not been for the coronavirus we would not have canceled the cruise. We were given the impression that RCCL would keep the deposits but all the money paid by credit card to Royal Caribbean was refunded to our credit card accounts. One of our classmates paid 100% of her payments on her credit card and RCCL refunded 100% of her money. In a phone conversation, the agency said they "deserved to get paid". They kept our deposits and the cruise was canceled by RCCL. Integrity is everything when dealing with a business. We will never use this agency and would encourage others not to as well.

Marie B.

My family solicited the services of Our Gang for a cruise to the Caribbean as apart of a group trip with our church. I'll admit that our family presented a unique situation because we're arriving to the Ft Lauderdale cruise ship from different cities, specifically MD, NJ, and Orlando. Ever since my Mom paid up front for the travel/cruise arrangements, it has been a non-stop thrill ride with these folks. We frequently had to call them to rehash details over and over again and each time we called it was as if we had never spoken before. Don't even get me started on the rudeness and disdain for customer service. Each time there was an issue, we always had to call and get the status of the reservation...what ever happened to them calling us and giving us reassurance. I guess in 2014 customer service has gone the way of the dodo bird. Long story short, 5 weeks out from the trip we had a final meeting with Our Gang and were presented our travel packages. Our flight reservations were all screwed up and by screwed up I mean my mom and sister had no flight reservations. Just how, exactly, did Our Gang expect them to get from NJ to FL? Floo Powder (shout out to my HP brethern)

My thoughts...if you need to book group travel just go through a reputable travel agency and not a questionable 'mom n pop' that someone recommended probably as a hook up. Or just have everyone book the travel on their own, isn't that what Expedia and the interwebs are for?

I chose not to give them one star only because one star implies "hate" per Google and I'm not quite there yet, but "dislike" seems to fit my current mood.