Beware of Cruise Scams: Florida Friends Share Painful Lesson
Booking a dream cruise should be exciting, but for two Florida residents, it turned into a nightmare. After falling victim to a scam, they’re urging others to be cautious when securing travel deals.
The Scam: A Fake Royal Caribbean Deal
Nyeasha Lambert of Jacksonville and Rochelle Price of Ocala thought they had snagged an incredible deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise after spotting a Facebook ad. The ad led them to what they believed was a legitimate travel agency, which offered a discounted 3-night cruise aboard the Utopia of the Seas.
The Utopia of the Seas, a 236,860-gross-ton ship, sails from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, stopping at Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay. The friends made regular payments for the $523 trip via Cash App and received what appeared to be genuine confirmation details.
When the day of departure arrived, they were devastated to learn their reservation didn’t exist. “It was embarrassing,” Lambert, 71, said in tears, recalling the moment they were turned away.
A Growing Trend in Travel Fraud
Lambert and Price are not alone. Travel scams, particularly involving cruises, are on the rise—especially during the holiday season when people are eager to secure deals.
In 2023, an 83-year-old woman fell victim to a fraudulent travel agency that took her payments but canceled her Alaskan cruise without refunding her. Investigators later uncovered the agency as a front for a man who used the stolen money for his own vacations.
Similarly, a 64-year-old woman in England lost £6,300 on a Caribbean cruise booked through a fake company on eBay.
Spotting and Avoiding Scams
Cruise scams can be hard to identify, especially when offers seem almost legitimate. In Lambert and Price’s case, the $523 price wasn’t far off from Royal Caribbean’s official rates, which start at $585 for 3-night Bahamas cruises. However, the method of payment was a red flag.
Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to similar scams:
1. Avoid Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps
- Scammers often request payment through apps like Cash App or Venmo, as these transactions are hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.
- Unlike credit cards, which offer fraud protection and dispute options, peer-to-peer payments provide little recourse if something goes wrong.
2. Verify Deals Through Legitimate Sources
- Compare offers with prices listed directly on cruise line websites.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Check Reviews and Business Credibility
- Look up the travel agency or booking site on platforms like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or the Better Business Bureau.
- Be wary of websites with fake positive reviews or professional-looking layouts designed to mimic legitimate agencies.
4. Book Directly With Cruise Lines or Trusted Travel Advisors
- Contacting the cruise line directly ensures the deal is real and guarantees your reservation.
Protecting Yourself from Scammers
While scammers often exploit peer-to-peer platforms, other methods can also leave travelers vulnerable. Even seemingly secure platforms like eBay offer limited protection for travel bookings. For example, eBay’s Money Back Guarantee does not cover travel tickets or vouchers.
The best way to safeguard your travel plans is to verify everything. Confirm your booking through official channels, use credit cards for payments, and be cautious about unsolicited deals.
A Painful Reminder
Lambert and Price’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale. Their experience highlights the importance of due diligence when booking travel. As authorities investigate the scam, they hope others will learn from their mistake and take extra precautions.
A dream cruise shouldn’t come with a nightmare ending—stay vigilant and book wisely to ensure smooth sailing.
