Key Ways to Avoid Cruise Scams When Planning Your Next Trip

Sarah Rogers (Getty images 2) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn In this story Common types of cruise scams • How to be a smart consumer • If you've been scammed • How to book a cruise safely

You’re dreaming of bright sun, blue water and gentle sea breezes, and you feel so lucky to have won a free cruise through an ad, a sweepstakes or a raffle. Unfortunately, instead of

celebrating your good fortune with piña coladas on the top deck, you find yourself scrambling to recover your money when the cruise is “canceled” or “rescheduled” at the last minute. Or that

the whole thing was just a ploy to get your data and steal your money or identity.

Cruising is one of the most popular types of vacations — more than 37 million people are expected to cruise in 2025, up from just 29.7 million in 2019, pre-pandemic, according to the

industry and trade relations at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents cruise lines, travel agencies and agents. With that popularity comes an opportunity for

criminals to target your wallet.

“The old adage rings true that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is,” says Charles Sylvia, vice president of industry and trade relations at CLIA.

Avoid Cruise Scams

Scammers want their marks to get excited about saving big bucks or receiving a great reward, but this is what they’re really offering:

Large, unexpected charges. Some people who accept their prize of a free trip find themselves on the hook for charges, such as taxes and fees, which end up costing more than a berth booked

with the cruise line directly or through their own travel agent.Fake trips. The scammer may cancel the trip at the last minute due to weather, mechanical problems or other excuses. Or they

may be offering trips with such restricted time available, it’s impossible to make arrangements. In one recent case, several Americans — one of whom sold her house to pay for her ticket —

found that the company they bought their three-year cruise from had no ship available.Unscrupulous actors. One scammer, who solicited clients on Facebook offering discounted cruises and

two-for-one deals, was convicted in Florida in 2022 for using clients’ money on personal expenses, including a new car. Another fraudulent agent was arrested in January 2024 for claiming to

book an Alaskan cruise for customers, but going on the cruise himself.Time-share hard-sell. An all-expenses-paid cruise is offered in exchange for a little of your time — which turns out to

be a time-share presentation or resort tour lasting several hours. If you survive that, you’ll likely face more high-pressure pitches for costly trip upgrades.