Virgin Voyages shares cruise scam warning
The cruise line is offering tips to help passengers protect themselves against fraud and scams.
Scammers know that many people are looking to get a good deal on a cruise vacation.
Travel agents can be a great resource to help you get the best price on your cruise, but it’s important to be aware that scammers sometimes pose as them. These scammers try to trick you into sending them money in order to book a seemingly low-cost cruise vacation for you.
Related: Royal Caribbean passenger shares warning about a major scam
The old adage holds true for cruise vacations: If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before handing over any of your personal information or making a payment, it’s vital to make sure that the travel agent or any third party you’re communicating with about booking a vacation is legitimate.
Cruise passengers should make sure to stay vigilant after they’ve booked a cruise vacation too. Scammers will sometimes even call or email passengers about their bookings. The scammers will pose as the cruise line to try to trick passengers into making a payment without verifying that they’re really communicating with the cruise line.
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Virgin Voyages passengers targeted by scammers
Virgin Voyages wants to make sure its passengers don’t have their vacations ruined by one of these kinds of cruise cons. A recent uptick in cruise scams targeting Virgin Voyages passengers prompted the exclusively-adult cruise line to send out an important warning to its passengers this week.
In its latest Sailor Scoop email, Virgin Voyages shared a few best practices to help its passengers avoid common schemes and protect their personal information.
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“We’ve become aware that some Sailors are being targeted by scammers and fraudsters,” the cruise line wrote in the email. “As part of our commitment to keeping you safe and secure when you sail with us, we ask that you read the below tips to help avoid these schemes and protect your personal information.”
The cruise line outlined four things its passengers should do to avoid falling victim to a cruise scam and ensure a secure and seamless booking experience.
Virgin Voyages offers tips for avoiding cruise scams
1. Purchase cruise tickets directly through Virgin Voyages.
Virgin Voyages warned its passengers that someone looking to resell their “voyage” can likely be a scam. Passengers should only book their cruise tickets through the Virgin Voyages website, authorized First Mates (i.e., travel advisors who are registered with Virgin Voyages), or the cruise line’s Sailor Services team.
2. Verify that sellers are authorized partners of Virgin Voyages.
The cruise line advised its passengers that if they’re purchasing cruise tickets through a travel advisor, they should make sure the advisor is an authorized partner of Virgin Voyages, that is, a “First Mate” registered with the cruise line.
3. Be cautious to avoid cruise scams on social media.
Many scammers use social media to target vacationers by advertising cheap cruise vacations.
“Avoid engaging with individuals or accounts offering discounted tickets on social media platforms.” Virgin Voyages recommended. “These offers are often scams.”
Related: Virgin Voyages' Richard Branson shares his plans for the cruise line
4. Protect your cruise reservation ID.
No matter what cruise line you sail, you should never share your cruise reservation number or post your booking confirmation on social media. Scammers can actually use these details to gain access to, modify and cancel your cruise reservation.
“Treat your reservation ID as confidential.” Virgin Voyages advised. “Do not share it with others or post it on social media.”
The cruise line also warned its passengers to be careful when answering phone calls.
“We will never call you to ask for personal information or solicit money over the phone,” the cruise line assured its passengers. “If ever in doubt, hang up and go to www.VirginVoyages.com to call our Sailor Services team center to speak with one of our friendly crew members.”
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com, or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
