Virgin Voyages has issued a warning to its passengers, known as “Sailors,” about a surge in fraudulent schemes targeting cruise bookings.
The cruise line recently sent an email advising guests on how to spot scams and protect their reservations from unauthorised third parties.
The alert comes after reports of fraudsters attempting to resell bookings at discounted rates or falsely claiming to be authorised agents.
Virgin Voyages has stressed that all official bookings should only be made through the cruise line’s website, registered travel advisors (referred to as “First Mates”), or the Sailor Services team.
One of the most common scams involves individuals posing as passengers who can no longer sail and offering to sell their bookings at a steep discount.
While the offer may seem tempting, Virgin Voyages has confirmed that these transactions are not legitimate. The cruise line does not facilitate the resale of reservations, and guests should avoid third-party deals.
Another scam involves fake special offers posted on social media. These fraudulent promotions often contain spelling errors, vague details, or suspicious sender names.
Virgin Voyages urges passengers to verify any deals they see online by checking with official sources.
Additionally, some fraudsters attempt to access guests’ bookings by obtaining their reservation ID. If scammers gain access to this information, they could modify or cancel bookings without the passenger’s knowledge.
Virgin Voyages advises guests to treat their reservation details as confidential and not to share them on social media or with unauthorised individuals.
To help prevent passengers from falling victim to scams, Virgin Voyages has outlined key measures:
- Book through official channels – Guests should only make reservations via the cruise line’s website, accredited First Mates, or the Sailor Services team.
- Beware of unverified social media deals – Fraudulent promotions are common on social media platforms. Passengers should double-check any “too good to be true” deals before making payments.
- Protect booking details – Reservation IDs should never be shared online or with third parties to prevent unauthorised changes.
- Avoid suspicious calls – Virgin Voyages will never request payment or personal details over the phone. If a passenger receives such a call, they should hang up immediately and contact the cruise line directly.
The rise of cruise scams
While these warnings may seem like common sense, cruise-related fraud is on the rise. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using counterfeit emails, fake contact numbers, and well-designed promotions to deceive travellers.
Similar scams have targeted other cruise lines, with fraudsters impersonating customer service representatives or offering fake discounts on upgrades and shore excursions.
Even in port, passengers have fallen victim to dishonest taxi services or excursion scams, such as a recent case involving a Royal Caribbean guest at Port Canaveral.
Passengers should remain vigilant when booking cruises and purchasing add-ons. Any unsolicited offers or deals requiring immediate payment should be treated with caution.
Virgin Voyages encourages Sailors to verify all details directly through their official channels and to avoid engaging with unauthorised sellers.
As scams evolve, the cruise industry continues to reinforce security measures to protect guests. For now, the best defence is awareness, ensuring that travellers book through trusted sources and keep their personal information private.
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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.
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