As the
winter sets in, nothing sounds better than relaxing under a tropical sun. Winter
and spring are prime cruising months, but Better Business Bureau is advising
consumers to read all of the fine print before signing up for a special cruise
deal.
In 2011, BBB received more than 1,300 complaints against
cruises. While many cruise deals are legitimate, there are those sneaky few
that end up sucking thousands of dollars from victims. BBB is urging consumers
to be cautious of unsolicited mail with offers of free or discounted
cruises.
“Many times,
scammers will send numerous emails, postcards, and other mailings trying to get
you to call them in order to claim your ‘free cruise,’” said Jim Hegarty, CEO
and president of the Better Business Bureau. “Don’t be fooled by professional
looking websites either. Gather as much information as you can about the
business, and ask a lot of questions before signing on the dotted line.”
BBB and CruiseCitic.com
recommend the following tips to consumers who are looking to book a cruise
getaway:
Don’t be a victim- Oftentimes, vacation scammers will
use high-pressure sales tactics and make you feel coerced to buy the
limited-time deal on the spot. A
reputable business or travel agent will provide any information that you
request, and give you time to decide before booking a vacation
Always check the business first- If an offer sounds too good to be
true, it usually is. Before giving a business
any personal information, check out their BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org/search. Consumers can also contact the
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) for information on finding a
reputable travel agent
Pay
with a credit card- For your best protection against a dishonest seller of
travel, always pay for your cruise fare -- both the initial deposit and the
final payment -- with a major credit card such as Mastercard, Visa or American
Express. If problems arise, you may be
able to dispute the charges with your credit card company. Important note: This protection may not apply
to those using debit or check cards; it's important to confirm policies with
your issuing bank before you charge
Ensure
your money is in the right hands- After you've made a payment, review
your credit card or bank statement and make sure that any applicable charges
originate directly with the cruise line, not with the travel agency. That way, you'll know that the cruise line
has definitely received your money. If you must pay by check or money order, it
should be made payable to the cruise line -- not to the agency or to an
individual
Get
proper confirmation of your booking- Insist on getting the actual cruise
line's confirmation numbers, not just a confirmation number from your
agency. Not only will you then know that
your information and money is in the right hands, but you'll also be able to
pre-reserve shore excursions, restaurant reservations and spa appointments (where
available) on the cruise line's website
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of
questions- Before
signing on the dotted line make sure all of the details have been clearly
outlined and the pricing has been thoroughly explained. Double check whether
there are hidden cancellation fees, port charges, or insurance processing fees
that haven’t been covered
Consider investing in travel
insurance- Travel
insurance can provide protection in the event of an accident, an illness, lost
luggage, or a canceled or interrupted trip, among other things. Follow the same steps outlined here when
buying travel insurance
For more consumer tips
you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.