After 50+ cruises, we've seen it all—including falling for a scam ourselves. Here's what every cruiser needs to watch out for in 2025.
1. Fake Booking Agents
The Scam: Someone calls claiming to be from your cruise line, offering upgrades or deals. They ask for your credit card to "secure" the offer.
The Truth: Legitimate cruise lines don't call asking for credit cards. If you get such a call, hang up and contact the cruise line directly.
2. Google Search Traps
The Scam: You search for a cruise line's phone number. The first result looks official but is actually a third-party company that pretends to be the cruise line.
What Happened to Us: We fell for this one ourselves. The "sponsored" listing at the top of Google wasn't the official cruise line—it was a company trying to steal bookings.
Protection: Skip the "sponsored" results and look for the actual cruise line's domain (e.g., hollandamerica.com).
3. UK Travel Authorization Scam
URGENT: If you're traveling to the UK, you need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). The official cost is around £16-19. Scam websites are charging $150+ CAD and stealing personal information including passport details.
Protection: Only use the official UK government website or the UK ETA app (look for the crown icon).
4. Port Area Distractions
The Scam: Someone offers you a "free" bracelet or souvenir near the cruise port. While you're distracted, an accomplice pickpockets you.
Protection: Politely decline and keep walking. Nothing is ever truly free.
5. Sob Story Scammers
The Scam: A "fellow passenger" approaches you with a story about losing their passport, wallet, or needing taxi money to get to the embassy.
Our Experience: We encountered the same man in San Juan twice—two years apart—with the identical "I was mugged" story.
6. Unofficial Taxi Tours
The Scam: Drivers quote low prices for island tours, then demand more money to return you to port or take you to their friend's "shop."
Real Risk: We once had a driver disappear to a bar mid-tour and return intoxicated to drive us back.
7. Hotel Room "Verification" Calls
The Scam: Someone calls your hotel room pretending to be the front desk, asking to "verify" your credit card.
Protection: Front desks never call rooms asking for credit cards. Hang up.
Our Golden Rules
- Book direct with cruise lines or trusted travel agents
- Use credit cards only (never gift cards or wire transfers)
- Verify immediately by checking your booking online
- Trust your gut—if something feels off, walk away
- Don't post booking numbers on social media
If you've been scammed, don't be embarrassed. Contact your credit card company immediately. Many have fraud protection that can help recover your money.
Travel should be exciting, not stressful. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and don't let scammers ruin your cruise vacation.
Have you encountered a cruise scam we didn't mention? Let us know—we're always updating our knowledge to help fellow travelers stay safe.
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