| Unpleasant
surprises can ruin a cruise vacation. That's why it pays
to investigate before you buy. On the internet it
can be difficult to tell a legitimate offer from a
fraudulent one, so consider these travelers' advisories
from information complied from the Federal Trade
Commission and other sources. Items noted in
red are our suggestions. The
information has been edited to focus on cruise travel
related issues.
How To Protect
Yourself
- Be wary of "great
deals" and low-priced offers. Few legitimate businesses
can afford to give away products and services of real
value or substantially undercut other companies' prices.
- Don't be pressured
into buying. Legitimate businesses don't expect you to
make snap decisions.
- Ask detailed
questions. Find out exactly what the cruise price covers
and what it doesn't. Ask about additional charges. Get
all the details included in your package. Consider
contacting the cruise line directly to verify
arrangements. Ask about cancellation policies and
refunds.
If the company can't give you
detailed answers, go
somewhere else.
- Get all information in
writing before you agree to buy. Ask for a copy of the
cruise line's own written confirmation. Once you receive
the written information, make sure it reflects what you
were told over the phone and the terms you agreed to. If
the company offers you a great deal but won't give you
the details in writing until you have paid, it could be
a scam operation.
If the company can't give you a copy
of the cruise lines
own confirmation, go somewhere else.
- Don't buy part of the
package - the air fare or cruise - separately from the
rest. If the deal is not what you expected, it may be
difficult to get your money back for the part of the
package you purchased.
- Don't give your credit
card number or bank information over the internet or
phone. One easy way for a scam operator to close a deal
is to get your credit card number and charge your
account. Sometimes fraudulent telemarketers say they
need the number for verification purposes only. Don't
believe them.
If the company doesn't take steps to
protect your
personal information, go somewhere else.
If in doubt, say "no." Trust your
instincts.
It's less risky to turn down the offer so hang up the
phone.
- Does the cruise price
seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is.
Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away
products and services of real value or substantially
undercut other
companies' prices.
Be wary of a salesperson who "pushes" one cruise line,
cruise ship or itinerary. That's not a good sign that they
are working in your best interest.
You may be asked after you book and place a deposit to
pay more for port charges, document shipping
costs,
higher than normal
deposits upfront, unreasonable
cancellation fees or are offered a bonus if you
pay in-full upfront.
|
Examples of
potentially
hidden fees.
Fees
that are charged,
in
addition to any
cancellation or
penalties imposed
by the
cruise line. |
|
Trip Cancellation |
$50.00 |
|
Insurance Claim Assistance |
$50.00 |
|
Document Shipping |
$7.50 |
|
That cut-rate cruise offer may not be a bargain after all,
especially when dealing with "Cheap" or "Deep
Discount" travel
brokers who might use bait and switch
tactics to get you to buy something you did not
want.
-
Make sure that the company
is registered with the State Attorney General's Office
where it does business if it sells, or arranges for, air
or sea travel (either separately or in conjunction with
other services). Ask to see the company's current
registration certificate. The certificate has the
company's registration number, which must be included in
all advertising.
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