These days it feels like a constant battle to avoid scammers – those people who feel like they can earn a living by defrauding others and cheating them out of their cash.
And sadly going on a cruise doesn’t mean you get to escape that. Cruisers have a lot of scams they need to avoid, and unfortunately there are several that people just keep falling for.
Even worse, some of them take place actually onboard the ship…
1. Outstanding Balance Fraud
This scam targets you before you even step onboard. You’ll get an email – often looking convincingly official – saying you haven’t fully paid for your cruise or that new port fees or taxes have been added.
The email might include a link to “settle your balance,” but it leads to a fake website that mimics your cruise line’s branding perfectly. It’s designed to capture your payment details or login credentials.
How to avoid it: Never click on links in unexpected emails.
If you’re unsure, go directly to your cruise line’s official website or call them using a verified number. Use your booking reference to log into your account securely – not through random links.
2. Free Cruise Scam
You get a message claiming you’ve won a “free cruise” – just pay the taxes, port fees, or a small admin charge to claim it.
It might even come with a ticking clock to “secure your cabin.” Once you pay, you’ll either get nothing in return or be hit with a barrage of upsells and hidden fees, making your “free” cruise more expensive than just booking it outright.
How to avoid it: Legit cruise lines don’t hand out free trips randomly. There are some ways people cruise for free, so be aware of those here.
Be sceptical of anything that asks for payment to claim a prize, and check if the company is registered with ABTA or ATOL (or your country’s equivalent) before handing over a penny.
There are plenty of legit ways you can win a free cruise – but you won’t have to pay!
3. Discount Excursion Scams
While wandering around port, someone approaches you offering a private tour at a fraction of the cruise line’s price.
It sounds tempting, but after handing over your cash, the tour may be sub-par, rushed, or non-existent.
Worse, you could miss the ship’s departure – and the cruise line won’t wait for unofficial excursions.
How to avoid it: Stick to cruise-line-endorsed excursions or use reputable third-party providers with good online reviews. Always confirm return times and ensure they guarantee to get you back before all aboard.
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4. Free Gift From Vendors
A vendor outside the port offers you a free trinket – a necklace, bracelet, or souvenir.
You accept, and suddenly you’re inside their shop getting the hard sell. Some become aggressively pushy, while others make you feel guilty enough to buy something overpriced just to escape.
How to avoid it: You’re not being rude by saying “no, thank you.” Be polite but firm and avoid being drawn into shops or stalls with vague offers.
5. “Please Hold This” Scams
This scam plays out like a bad prank. Someone hands you an item – a bag, jacket, or camera – asking for help while they sort something out.
Minutes later, someone else shows up claiming it was stolen, or that you’ve damaged it. Cue shouting, accusations, and a demand for cash compensation.
How to avoid it: Politely refuse to hold items for strangers. If something feels off, walk away and alert a local official.
This is the kind of scam that’ll only really happen in port – I don’t think there are scammers who can get enough value from this type of scam while also paying to be onboard a cruise!
6. Unlicensed Taxis
Outside the cruise terminal, a driver waves you over offering a “special deal” or “local rate.” They may have no meter, no ID, and no official markings.
You get in, and halfway through the journey, the price triples – or worse, they take you somewhere dodgy and refuse to take you back unless you pay up.
How to avoid it: Use clearly marked, licensed taxis or pre-book transport through your cruise line or reputable apps like Uber. Don’t hop in just because someone says they’re “cheaper than the cruise taxis.”
7. Travel Clubs
You’re invited to a presentation or emailed a “VIP offer” to join an exclusive travel club.
They promise massive cruise discounts and luxury perks for life, or another common one is a free pass for a resort day while you’re in port. And all you need to do is attend a talk.
Once you’re at the talk, you’re overloaded with information about this fancy travel club offering all kinds of extra benefits, and all you need to do is pay an upfront fee. And then an ongoing membership.
But once you’ve signed up, the “deals” turn out to be non-existent or worse than what’s publicly available. And you can’t break the contract. Oops.
How to avoid it: Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics. Never pay a fee just to access discounts. Always research the company independently before committing to anything.
8. “Bump and Break”
This scam is often seen in busy ports or crowded areas onboard.
Someone “accidentally” bumps into you and drops an item – glasses, a phone, a camera – then accuses you of breaking it.
They make a scene and demand cash for the damage, hoping you’ll panic and pay just to get away.
How to avoid it: Don’t fall for the drama. Stand your ground and offer to contact ship security or local police. Scammers almost always back down when official help is mentioned.
9. Art Auction
This one will raise some eyebrows! And to be clear, I’m not saying that art auctions onboard cruises are a scam by default.
However…
Art auctions can be fun and flashy, but they’re also a hotspot for exaggerated claims and inflated prices. You might be told you’re buying a “rare collectible” at a bargain, but the artwork could be mass-produced and worth a fraction of what you paid.
How to avoid it: Unless you’re an art collector with knowledge of the market, treat these events as entertainment, not investment. If you’re genuinely interested in a piece, ask for provenance and research it online before buying.
Read more: Cruise Ship Art Auction Left This Family Feeling Scammed
10. Spa Treatment & Products
You go in for a relaxing massage, but come out with £200 worth of skincare you didn’t plan to buy.
Some onboard spa staff use the treatment time to pitch expensive products, and in some cases, the charges are slipped onto your bill without clear consent.
How to avoid it: Be clear upfront that you’re not interested in buying anything. Check your final spa bill carefully before signing, and dispute anything suspicious immediately.
Read more: The 9 Most Overpriced Extras On A Cruise
11. Fake Crew Member Scams
These scams usually happen online.
Fake profiles pop up on social media, often impersonating well-known cruise directors or crew members.
They’ll befriend you, message you, and eventually ask for money due to a supposed emergency – like a family crisis or frozen bank account.
How to avoid it: Real cruise staff don’t message passengers asking for money. If someone does, block and report them. And never share personal or financial info with anyone you don’t know in real life.
Read more: Scam Alert As Popular Cruise Personalities Are Impersonated Online
12. Fake Onboard Activities
This one starts in cruise fan groups or social media forums.
Someone posts about a “special event” happening onboard – maybe a secret wine tasting or private crafting class -and asks for a small fee to cover materials or reserve your spot.
But when the cruise begins, the event doesn’t exist. And the person who organised it isn’t even onboard, so there’s nothing you can do.
How to avoid it: When it comes to paid-for events, only trust activities listed in the cruise line’s official app, newsletter, or confirmed by crew onboard.
If someone’s asking for money in advance for a group event, be suspicious – and don’t pay unless it’s through a trusted platform.
Free events? They’re usually fine.
13. Fake News on Social Media
You see a sensational headline in your feed: “Cruise ship sinks off the coast of Miami” or “Passengers quarantined after outbreak.”
It’s clickbait, often linking to dodgy websites full of viruses or phishing traps. These fake stories spread fast because people click before they think.
How to avoid it: Just follow common sense rules for being online, and think before you click. If you see a shocking news story, think – why wouldn’t you have already seen this on a reputable website?
Final Word
Cruise scams can come from all directions – online, onboard, and ashore. But a little knowledge goes a long way.
Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember: when in doubt, ask the cruise line directly. That way, you can spend less time stressing and more time sipping cocktails on deck.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Thank you, Jenni, for highlighting the possible scams that may hit people who cruise. This makes us all aware of the dangers to be aware of, thank you.