Cruises

Overview

For many people, taking a cruise represents the perfect opportunity to escape from the everyday grind and get exposed to unfamiliar parts of the world in a laidback environment.
Every year, this type of vacation captures the imagination and attracts of millions of tourists from all over the world: singles, couples, entire families and groups of friends.

Large cruise ships are designed as ‘floating cities’ that have a lot to offer: delicious meals, superb daytime and evening entertainment, endless onboard activity options, exotic destinations with shore excursions and great value-for-money, compared to other vacation alternatives.

Booking websites offer a convenient way to get up-to-date information and compare cruise lines, prices, availability, cabin options, trip lengths, special discount offers and last minute deals – all in one convenient place.

They help would-be cruisers to plan and execute an exciting journey of their dreams that will cause the ultimate marine adventure.
Consumers can choose the package the best meets their budget, schedule or mindset, be it a romantic voyage, luxury holiday, expedition travel or an all-inclusive family vacation.

The major names that dominate this industry include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL Norwegian, and MSC and each company has its own unique target demographic, advantages, features and ship atmosphere, so it’s vital to shop around.

Consumer Tips: How Keep Safe and to Avoid Cruise Scams Online

Just like any other sector that involves travelers, businesses, and money that switches hands, the cruise tourism market also has its fair share of scammers, fraudsters and cybercriminals that operate online and look for potential victims.
Scammers use many illegal or unethical ways to trick, mislead or con consumers.

Some fraudulent third-party vendors deceptively advertise significant below-market prices as part of a classic bait and switch tactic.
After a reservation is being made, a company rep contacts the customer and tries to persuade him to agree to a new, much higher rate due to a “system error” or lack of confirmation from the actual cruise line.

Other unreliable cruise sites falsely promise many extras, bonuses or rewards that may come in the form of onboard credit (OBC), free beverage, dining or internet packages, free gratuities, free cabin upgrades or other types of tempting incentives.
Customers of such dishonest booking services are often disappointed to discover these promises for supposed perks and benefits are eventually not honored, under many pretexts.

Taking these steps will help you find more credible and reliable cruise companies in this market:

Interested in a Bonus Offer? Read the Fine Print

The special offers can often be confusing, as these freebies may only pertain to very specific cruise ships, destinations or sail dates.

Investigate the Cruise Booking Website’s BBB Record

Check the company’s record on the Better Business Bureau’s website.
What you’ll find there, will help you evaluate whether it’s a legitimate business that deserves your money and trust or if you must look elsewhere.

Look for current BBB rating, customer reviews, complaints, warnings and alerts on their business profile.
Also, learn how long it has been in business – a potential indicator of experience and reputation.

If the company is not even listed with the BBB, this is a very bad sign.
On the other hand, if the cruise travel site is certified as a BBB Accredited Business, it’s an important positive signal.

Pay Close Attention to Red Flags

Learn how to protect yourself better when ordering goods and services on the internet, to avoid scammers and keep safe in general.
Knowing how to check if a website is legitimate or not is the first line of defense.