What can I say about a company that booked my tour to Italy and refunded the entire package without making me go through the insurance I purchased. Sue S kept me posted on the impact of the virus in Italy and when all travel for tourists was banned, Sue was in constant contact with us and with the travel desk in Italy and promptly refunded the entire trip. This is my second dealing with Celtic Tours and won't be my last. Ireland last year was awesome! Fantastic dealing from start to finish on both trips. Maybe next year Italy will happen but your great customer service has won a customer for life! read more

Celtic Tours Vacations - Dublin - Tours Near Me - Albany, New York

We had a flawless trip to Ireland with our tour guide Oliver. We were largely impressed with his knowledge of the areas and wealth of information given to us on every leg of our journey. His sense of humor and fantastic driving kept us moving at a great pace and enjoying every minute of our trip. Oliver made great suggestions with each stop we made, and he was able to be flexible and make adjustments along the way when needed. We will always remember our trip with Celtic Tours and Oliver. read more

Celtic Tours and a travel agent named Lois Wallace, put together a package for my friend and I for one week in Scotland. The cost seemed high, but what did we know? Neither of us had ever been to Scotland or used a travel agency. It wasn't until we were there, that we began to realize we had been drastically overcharged. For one, the cost of the hotel room was not divided between my friend and I; it was multiplied. Secondly, Celtic Tours' website says the Rabbie's day trip tours are $109, but Rabbie's own website lists them at about $55. Furthermore, when we were at the stage of creating our package (without knowing prices of anything, mind you; we just trusted we were getting a good deal), the hotel offered a breakfast add on, and the agent told us it would be an extra $125/each. However, when checking the hotel policies, I learned that price is never charged per person; it's charged by the room. Further proof that they were trying to milk us for whatever they could. When we priced out each component of our package, it came to about $750/person. But we paid over $1800/person. Even accounting for exchange rate differences, seasonal price fluctuations, and the agency's own costs for paperwork and time, it doesn't even come close to needing to charge us more than 2x what the package is actually worth. Travel packages are supposed to save the traveler money, but it definitely did not. I reached out to the agent and Celtic Tours, and neither of them wanted to help, nor cared about restoring trust between them and their clients. I will never use their services again, and suggest buyer beware to anybody who is considering it. read more

I would like to express my extreme displeasure with the service I received from Celtic Tours. My husband and I, along with another couple, celebrated 30 years of marriage in Italy. Celtic Tours placed us in a hotel in Sicily that was for business travelers, and NOT for vacation travelers. We incurred substantial out of pocket costs because we opted to move to another hotel. Our complaints were not heard by this company! I know this because our local travel agent forwarded their response to my e-mail. We will NEVER use Celtic Tours again! They were extremely short sighted as we plan to go to Europe again in 2015. Here is one statement that shows our many concerns were not heard : "I realize your clients were not happy with this hotel or town, but I am unable to get a refund from a fully prepaid hotel because they didn't like it." It was not a question of just not liking it. There was nothing to do, and absolutely no tours available. In a business like Tourism, it's all about brand recognition. They should know this. There are many travel agencies we can go to in order to book our travel, and we will do so in the future. They just do not care about the client's experience once they have your money! read more

We expected better! We went to the Albany office seeking a customized fly-drive 10-day tour of Ireland. We figured we'd use and pay for their "expertise". Frankly, we were disappointed. The agent was pleasant and friendly, did all the paperwork, etc. but she mapped out an itinerary that was exactly the same as one of the bus tours! Same route, same hotels, same time-schedule, not considering we were driving. Obviously when one is driving on the other side of the road, we wouldn't be making the same "time" as an experienced bus driver. I wish she had looked at us, her customers, nearing 70 years of age, and made some other suggestions. Another point: while there, we hit a curb , blew out a tire and damaged the wheel. ( We did purchase insurance from the travel agent which did not cover tires. In Ireland we were not made aware of available tire insurance. Thus, we were on our own. ) Hertz Ireland charged us over $1100 for the damage. ($400 would have been sufficient) . Celtic Tours made a weak attempt to intercede for us to no avail. They "could" have threatened to recommend other car rental agencies in the future in Ireland, thus using their clout. Obviously, they didn't since they most likely get a cut from Hertz. All in all, our trip was enjoyable despite the expensive rental car incident. Perhaps it would have been more enjoyable had we gone to another travel agency. read more

I just got back from South Ireland tour with Celtic and it was fabulous from start to finish. We had Sean McSweeney and he has to be the best tour guide ever. Im emailing Celtic but I just had to put this on yelp to let the world know how great they are. The only glitch was our door card didn't work one time, that is nothing, and that was the hotel. We stayed in 4 star hotels, the food was fantastic everywhere we went and we even had sunshine everyday but one. Im sure it was because of Sean that the sun shined so bright. He said it was.....lol. So Im planning my next trip but this time Im taking my husband. Thanks again Celtic. read more

I sent six clients to your company . I was paid zero commission . After being told it's coming after they travel . Then being told my clients got my commission as additional discount and charge their credit card my commission - no . Such a disappointing unethical company . Don't travel with a company you cannot trust. read more

I traveled with a group from Central Pennsylvania to Ireland in early October on a Celtic Tour. It was a top notch experience from start to finish. Our driver and tour guide, Oliver Cox, is an exceptionally skilled driver (very important on those roads!) and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his country. He is also very witty in his delivery of tales about Ireland and information on day to day activities. All the hotels we stayed in were clean and comfortable, and the food at all locations was delicious. I would highly recommend a Celtic Tour, and if you are choosing one of its bus tours in Ireland, try to secure Oliver for your tour guide! read more

Our Celtic Tours World Vacation "Celtic Rose" Tour this summer was perfect, beginning to end, Dublin to Belfast to Killarney, to cliffs, castles, sheep herding, and vast spectacular scenery. Best of all was our tour guide, Michael "Micky" Nolan. Our Irish-American group heard wonderfully told tales of St. Patrick, Celts, Normans, the potato famine, Irish independence, and economics as we toured the magnificent countryside for which Micky had infectious affection. In addition, our group included a couple of folks with unforeseen mobility issues, and Micky responded with acutely suitable accommodations and adjustments He couldn't have been kinder, more generous, or more knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour, company and especially, tour guide. read more

We had an excellent experience with our tour booked with Celtic Tours!! The staff is informative and helpful. The tour guide, Mick Nolan, was outstanding in telling us about history, sites, views, people, and everything about Ireland. We stayed at terrific hotels and saw many beautiful views. I'll definitely book my next tour through Celtic. read more

I recently returned from the Celtic Discovery Tour, which was my 14th tour with Celtic Tours. I have thoroughly enjoyed every tour with Celtic Tours, from being a single passenger on a Celtic Tours vacation tour or part of a chauffeured family tour to being a tour director/leader/organizer with a large Irish-American organization in Massachusetts that offers annual Ireland tours to its 800+ members. I travel to Ireland two to three times per year (one or two times on a Celtic Tours vacation tour and one leading a customized tour for the Irish-American organization that I do my volunteer work with) and always choosing Celtic Tours because of their constant exceptional tour quality; very friendly and helpful customer service with staff always picking up the phone on the first ring (which is frankly unheard of in this day and age of push-button customer service phone technology); and an extremely well-versed planning staff that are always ready to assist with tour design and execution. If any issues arise while travelling in Ireland, which is rare, the knowledgeable Celtic Tours staff quickly resolves the issue and always impresses me with the end result. The Celtic Discovery Tour was a beautifully designed tour with multiple night stays at each appointed location. As many times as I have been to Ireland, the first three days of the tour left me in total awe of the beauty of Counties Sligo and Mayo, where I had not spent much time before, and the remainder of the tour brought me to much beloved and familiar places of the Emerald Isle. The four hotels booked for this tour were all excellent across the board. I was accorded the same high hotel standards that I have been in the past in all of the Ireland hotels carefully selected and screened by the experts at Celtic Tours. The daily sightseeing and visits were very well designed and paced, and our Irish driver-guide added his own special treats all along our way. It was an absolute joy to be on the coach with him every day - his daily insights and commentary was fun and informative as always. As many times as I have visited Ireland, every time that I am on a Celtic Tour, I learn so much on Irish history, regional highlights, culture, economics, and social aspects of this amazing country. The coach company that Celtic Tours contracts with in Ireland is simply outstanding. I have been fortunate enough to travel 13 of my 14 tours with one Irish driver/guide in particular who not only has become a close friend of my entire family but also who sets the bar for all other driver/guides that tour Ireland - professional, friendly, conscientious, helpful, and kind to each and every passenger on every tour and has a great sense of humor and wit to boot. I had an incredible nine days in Ireland, and I cannot wait for my next Celtic Tour. I am looking forward to leading my group in early fall on customized Celtic Tour through Northern Ireland and beyond, and hopefully returning again in late fall on another Celtic Tours vacation tour. Thank you for everything!! Celtic Tours is the best tour operator in the business bar none. read more

I don't usually write reviews but I felt compelled to express my opinion when I read this negative review. I was SHOCKED and DISMAYED at such a negative feed back! I have toured Ireland and Italy over the years with Celtic Tours, and might I add I would never go with any other Tour Agent! Our Tours from start to finish have always been wonderful experiences not only for myself but also for all the people I have travelled with. Staff at Celtic Tours World Vacations are always pleasant, helpful, readily available if needed. Always there to assist for any questions that arise. Accomodations have always been terrific, if issues arise with Hotels, Lost Passports, Tour Guides etc.. Celtic Tours will FIX problem from the States and we never have to worry. Can't say enough about Celtic Tours, they are Truly the epitome of TRUE IRISH HOSPITALITY in the USA. :-) ALWAYS AND FOREVER A LOYAL CELTIC TOUR TRAVELLER. Noeleen D. read more

When I read the negative review from Pat W. I could not believe she as talking about Celtic Tours World Vacations/Albany. This does NOT describe the Celtic Tours that I have known and booked tours with for nearly ten years. Their customer service is quite the opposite from what the recent negative review suggests. I've booked several tours with Celtic Tours for close to ten years and I have NEVER been dissatisfied with the service I have received from them. Their customer service has always been nothing less than outstanding and in my opinion, second to none! They have been quick to respond to any issue that would arise and always went above and beyond to please. I've done tours to both Ireland and to Italy and have personally taken over 350 people (from an Irish organization I belong to as well as from my church) during the past years on tours that I've booked directly with Celtic Tours. In addition, all of our hotels in Italy were chosen by Celtic Tours and the accommodations, hospitality and locations were all excellent with no complaints. They have a super staff that is delightful to work with. If, on the rare occasion, they don't have an answer they will quickly get back to you with one. Also, when you call them a "real" person actually answers the phone on the first ring--a rarity these days! One of the main reasons I use Celtic Tours is BECAUSE of the OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE I have received by a well-trained and extremely pleasant and friendly staff. I have been VERY satisfied with all aspects of my reservations from hotels to airlines, attractions, special requests, guides and drivers, etc. They truly take a personal interest in making sure passengers on their tours have an enjoyable and positive experience. They are truly one of the best companies in the business to deal with and that is why I have used them exclusively over the past several years. I am extremely happy to continue my loyalty with Celtic Tours--they are a great company. It is with utmost certainty and WITHOUT ANY HESITATION that I give them my HIGHEST recommendation. read more