This is the reason Gary is king of the cruise vloggers. He is always professional without any sensationalism or hyperbole; just well formulated information. Keep up the good work!
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Thanks :-)
@rhondastevens2773
Жыл бұрын
@@tipsfortravellers 😢😮😮😮😅
@w3ndi973
Жыл бұрын
This is the reason I don’t have social media. Great information though for those who do
@sandraoettle1476
4 ай бұрын
He's like the Walter Cronkite of cruise vloggers!
@lesleybenson8794
Жыл бұрын
This happened last week while we were on a boat trip around Miami. A number of our coach party did fill in the form to enter the ‘ competition’. A lady’s name of our coach was called out as a winner. This scam has surprised me as we were on a organised excursion from the ship. I through the ship would monitor things like this.
@chriswilliams6568
Жыл бұрын
They do, but folk have to report it. Cruise line monitors cannot be on every excursion.
@kendallbird
Жыл бұрын
I have been following you since 2018. I was researching cruising in anticipation of my first cruise sailing. This report is mind blowing!!! Just when you think you have been so careful about avoiding scam artists, you introduce us to a new string of horrifically cleaver ways for these criminals to separate us from our hard earned money. As always, your reporting is informative and valuable. Thank you very much for the very important work you do to keep us safe. Cheers!!!
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Thank for watching for so long!!!!
@Elaines-travels
Жыл бұрын
Another good tip, if you get an email, tap the email address of the sender, fake accounts will never match the companies they are pretending to be from. This works for all scam emails
@ros8986
Жыл бұрын
not necessarily - I had a fake email where the address did show the company.
@dellnichols4625
Жыл бұрын
Great info, Gary! Unfortunately the scammers are often a few steps ahead of us. How sad that many people have no qualms regarding cheating.
@sl4193
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Gary. So good to be warned about the latest cruise scams.
@mollymcdonagh75
Жыл бұрын
Biggest scammers can be the cruise lines themselves! P&O for example, offer you lots of onboard credit for a markup when booking, but you then find out you can only use it on things you book when you’re onboard. These days lots of stuff (excursions, restaurant bookings) is sold out before even boarding, so you can’t use your onboard credit for things you actually want to… but you’ve already paid for it by the time you learn that
@chriswilliams6568
Жыл бұрын
Well find out earlier, get it in writing on your invoice. Shipboard credit (SBC) is just that, credit to be used onboard. Celebrity Cruises will allow you to use it to pre book your shore excursions and speciality restaurants though.
@jerrygallant7207
Жыл бұрын
If you have a good travel agent ,do everything through them .ALot less headaches
@Marshal_Dunnik
Жыл бұрын
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If a stranger offers you a free lunch and you don’t think to ask, “What’s the catch?” then now would be a good time to start.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the helpful information Gary. Some of it I could’ve guessed, but I didn’t realize how prevalent it was. !! Sorry that this happened to you.
@timkellyD2R
Жыл бұрын
Great coverage, Gary. The scams have become very sophisticated and nuanced, so much so, that even veteran travelers who can usually sense a scam are being roped in. In their infancy these scams were obvious and awkward. Not anymore.
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. Yes, things are getting more clever and I suspect as AI develops the ability to mimic people in audio and video will make it even more challenging.....
@halpen
Жыл бұрын
@Tips For Travellers That is a great point. Terrifying!
@Mindsi
Жыл бұрын
I sense leonardo de caprio film coming on😂😂😂😂😂😂
@paulwrightwa
9 ай бұрын
@@Mindsi😅
@nnajj01
Жыл бұрын
I use the same caution on vacation/Holiday as I do at home. Then again people look at me and leave me alone.
@ModernMyths
Жыл бұрын
One of the easiest ways to find out if a "Free Cruise" is a scam or not. Is simply go call the main cruise line. It is annoying and does take a little bit of time. But It's the best way to find out if something is real or not. I got on free cruises all the time, mostly cause I gambled on the ships XD. But I always make sure if the offers are real or not if I'm interested in them. But a funny story with the Time Share Scam your friend got caught up with. My dad got one of those and invited me to go with him. Even though I told him it was a scam. We go to it and they were friendly, and helpful and kind. Talking to everyone about the cruises and such. But then they found out I'm an experienced cruiser that's been on a bunch of them. Suddenly they completely ignored me, they stayed away from me, and just was cold to me. It was pretty blatant they were scammers. XD At the end I tried to talk to them about cruising and such (As a joke) and they just pretended I wasn't there. Which made everyone else suspicious XD
@roberthicks2191
Жыл бұрын
We received a “free” cruise offer from a major line last fall by email. I thought it was a scam, but after calling the cruise line’s main reservation line with the promotion code it turned out to be indeed a legitimate “free” cruise. In this case it was a free inside cabin base fare, with taxes and fees extra plus a requirement for minimum onboard spending. So, was it free? Not exactly - it was a really, really good deal for us. It was an excellent cruise that we had this spring. Why did we get the “freebie”? We suspect that it was in part through our standing with the cruise loyalty program, part to fill out some particular cruises which might not have been selling well, and maybe just random good luck.
@maurinet2291
Жыл бұрын
I've heard of Carnival offering free cruises to reward patrons of their casino. Some were surprised because they didn't spend that much, but those free cruises appear to be legit.
@RandomTheresa
Жыл бұрын
@@maurinet2291 It's CAS with NCL, we get them frequently. Definitely left.
@lauriemoser4208
Жыл бұрын
Well what was the total spent on the ship and total on other travel expenses. Designed to create brand loyalty I think as well as your reasons
@lokicooper4690
Жыл бұрын
Prime example of “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
@dakg8034
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Gary, for your tips on these scams, although I doubt very much that I could be a victim of the scams you outlined. This is because I have a policy where I reject anything of significant value that is being offered for free or being offered at a significantly lower price. Additionally, I only use Expedia to book my (landed) vacations and cruises, even though there are other genuine agencies online. Bargains and offers from others simply do not entice me, regardless of how authentic and reputable they be. And it's nothing against them per se; it's just that I find handling my travel needs this way makes my life simpler and it significantly reduces my exposure and risk to unscrupulous people. As for surveys, I don't do surveys except for the ones sent to me by the hospital clinic after each medical appointment. With the sophistication of today's scammers, I take no chance no matter how good it sounds.
@sandybruce9092
Жыл бұрын
I’m with you!
@ZephyrLily-ry1el
Жыл бұрын
Wow, never knew about these scams…a good rule of thumb is: nothing is free! And if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is! Do your homework/research 😉 stay skeptical ❤ Thank you, Gary!
@SD-cj8sp
Жыл бұрын
Great information Thank you Nothing is ever truly free"
@janebeville7446
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the warning! I tend to be very suspicious, but some of these were surprising!
@sent7127
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Gary!. We should all remember the old adage: If it sound too good to be true, it probably is.
@suerobinson844
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for exposing the scammers. If something is to good to be true then it is.
@ros8986
Жыл бұрын
What is not necessarily a scam is getting discounts on cruises from cruise booking agents - while my experience was 25 years ago working for a cruise/travel agency (not as an agent) - the agents would often discount the cruise price (taking lower commission) in order to make the sale (as 5% or 10% was better than no %).
@yourworldwithbill9096
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for another really useful video. The lengths and sophisticated methods that scammer find are pretty remarkable. It's hard to keep up!
@williamwagner7959
8 ай бұрын
Always call the cruise line and mention the low price, offer, and who is providing it. They are very honest about if it is real or not and can advise if it is a scam. It also gives the line a chance to shut down scams and protect others.
@Marcus51090
Жыл бұрын
I honestly don’t know how people fall for these
@PowderPuff_
Жыл бұрын
Me either🙄
@sandybruce9092
Жыл бұрын
The word “free”should be the first warning! Some of these scams sound like those in years past for timeshares “talks” 😢which I went to one- and said hell no!
@bryantsteury8910
Жыл бұрын
The bad thing about the time shares is it's often run by unscrupulous people, and they DO "give" you a cruise so some people weirdly don't think of it as a scam. The only time they're worth it (sorta kinda) is if you don't mind saying "no" a million times to these people up front and then have nothing to do which allows you to operate within their restrictions for which cruise you can actually go on. If I were retired and 60+ years old, with a fair amount of disposable income, it'd be a reasonable way to get a free trip I suppose. 3 nights starting on a Monday leaving out of Miami but I live near Orlando, and only in December? Fine. I got nowhere to be. But short of that EXTRAORDINARY type of situation it's complete nonsense
@tpiety
Жыл бұрын
I went to one of those things to get a free night in a hotel, was run by Hilton Hotels for their time share product. I thought all I would have to do is keep saying “no” but it was SO unpleasant, (several hours!) that I have to say I can’t imagine a situation in which it would be worth it.
@phaedoncouniniotis2183
Жыл бұрын
Thank you Gary very educational and important! Highly appreciated
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching 👍🏻👍🏻
@noxproductions6851
10 ай бұрын
Yes definitely use a reputable travel agency when booking a cruise, most of which are either owned or partners with the agency I work for. Which is the largest cruise travel agency in the world
@marilynnkadan7948
Жыл бұрын
Wow i so glad i looked back to see what i missed last few days! Saw Scams. Whar a big review. Thanks much for your full covage. Glad i haven't seen any though now i aware. Tks again
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@good7saint
Ай бұрын
The scam i recognised as a scam right away and hung up but this was 30 year's ago. I entered a draw at a local event and got a call that i had won the first prize of a Caribbean cruise however to get it you had two buy the second prize
@tuvia4082
Жыл бұрын
Great info as usual Gary, keep up the great work.
@JoeFrohlich
Жыл бұрын
You can book your flights and hotel through your cruise line.
@kathywest7205
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary! Great info as usual!
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching :-) Great to hear!
@margraine
Жыл бұрын
Great info, Gary! I don't see a link to the video you mention at the end of the video regarding scams in port.
@glendahill
Жыл бұрын
excellent video as usual
@southwestjohnny7767
Жыл бұрын
If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Words to live by.
@Unazaki
Жыл бұрын
This is a great video and covers a lot of aspects, especially those who are looking for great deals for cruises. But I am curious to ask though, what about scams that target cruisers who go for premium or luxury cruises? Some of the things mentioned here seem to rely on cruisers that are targeting cheaper, mass market lines like Carnival. But there are those who are fortunate enough to be able to and want to target only lines like Azamara or Regent. Lines like Carnival are simply a turn off for them. How do scammers target these cruisers given that they're not really looking out for a great deal but are looking more for the prestige and exclusivity?
@teresarudnik8067
3 ай бұрын
The trouble is………these people DON’T think it is too good to be true. They think…..AHHH…….my ship finally came in!!!😉😉😉😉🤪
@lauriestrong9972
Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 You’re so clear about being in a long term relationship!
@daver1787
Жыл бұрын
very good....very helpful and everyone should take heed
@janiekcarney5482
7 ай бұрын
I only book directly with my airline. Directly with the ship company. Or directly with my travel agent. No pressure. No scams. If they contact me I block them. I contact these companies. Not they contact me.
@denizalgazi
Жыл бұрын
Welcome to the internet circa 2005, Gary and Helen. So that wasn't your grin der profile with a St Helena location LOL!
@natalieb2858
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this important information.
@vickijackson5547
Жыл бұрын
What does it mean when Gary points to a "next video" to watch and there is nothing there? I've seen many times where the video comes up for me to click on, but in this one the video he referenced at the end wasn't there. 🤔🤔
@cerebrumexcrement
Жыл бұрын
well good thing i book directly on their websites...
@Bertie_Ahern
8 ай бұрын
There's no such thing as a free anything - everything has a catch or cost.
@disregardable
Жыл бұрын
I love captain Madsen. I will be sure to TAKE CARE.
@VoiceoverMomentum
9 ай бұрын
Very helpful!
@tipsfortravellers
9 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@et8138
Жыл бұрын
Mahalo, you are always so helpful and interesting. I know you've been on a lot of cruises, but curious to know exactly how many cruises have you bee on in your awesome lifetime? (I'm so jealous :-)
@AbiBrown-q9k
8 ай бұрын
there is hardly anything for free now days but if it involves a big-ticket item. rest assured it is a scam. you have to be street smarts to recognize for what it is and move on
@charpnatl
Жыл бұрын
Valueable information!
@JosephSchmidtfan
Жыл бұрын
My grandfather had a saying: "You get nothing for nothing, and damn little for sixpence." Worth remembering when you are offered something that seems too good to be true.
@lupitaolson7837
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the information.
@ros8986
Жыл бұрын
Isn't the easiest way to check something is to contact the cruise line directly (not using any link or phone number listed in a social media post)? Just google the cruise line to get their actual website? Maybe I am missing something...........
@TheSuzberry
Жыл бұрын
Nothing is free.
@Dog.eatdog
Жыл бұрын
When will ppl learn that *nothing* is free?
@beebeex7775
Жыл бұрын
I just want to stay home and only use cash !!
@davidh9844
Жыл бұрын
If the offer sounds too good to be true, 99% of the time it is.
@bryandoyle765
Жыл бұрын
Really just a matter of cybersecurity
@allanfifield8256
Жыл бұрын
Captain Kate needs money from me! LOL.
@eddiebruv
Жыл бұрын
I didn’t see any link to click.
@kepckatherinec805
Жыл бұрын
When in doubt, ask yourself: is this fantastic offer too good to be true? 99.9% of the time the answer is yes. Don’t fall for scams.
@allanfifield8256
Жыл бұрын
So Far, I am immune from scams. All 20 fingers from my cold dead hands squeeze my wallet flat.
@juniperdog5523
Жыл бұрын
I haven’t yet watched the video but the thumbnail for this video seems kind of demeaning.
@kend3900
Жыл бұрын
👍
@65NART
4 ай бұрын
You have to be pretty naive to believe these scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is the case.
@bryantsteury8910
Жыл бұрын
Gary, if you're not scamming me, you'll say hi to this comment! :P
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Hi. Send me lots of money 💰 too 😂😂😂
@ksandhoff1
4 ай бұрын
do not use viator they are scammers
@TheZackofSpades
Жыл бұрын
I’m always so sad hearing about operations like these scams…the desire of humans to cheat/steal/harm other humans is truly bottomless
@Rumline7
Жыл бұрын
💯
@donb2480
Жыл бұрын
Great info…. Thanks
@abigailgerlach5443
Жыл бұрын
I've been offered the same sort of "prizes" for a week at a resort. As you say, it was a time share scam. I caught it in time. I follow the old adage, if someone offers you something for free...don't believe it!
@edwardhiler3455
Жыл бұрын
I think the old adage, “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is” applies here.
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Yes! A good rule to live by 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@damascus6478
Жыл бұрын
Nobody gives away something for nothing, never, ever fall for this. Once they start trying to get money, hang up. Also noticed the email purportedly from Delta. They are, I believe, the only ones who spell Airlines as Air Lines. If your email says "Delta Airlines", it's bogus.
@mea3665
Жыл бұрын
Actually that's not true I won a free trip to Mexico on a radio station give away. Yes it was free airfair and 4 nights in a hotel
@jeffreywagner5234
Жыл бұрын
THANKS, GARY!!! Wow, we have to be vigilant with all these scammers! 🚢🚢
@alex182618
Жыл бұрын
-Have you seen any sharks? -Yes, they tried to sell me a drinking package.
@gratefultube
Жыл бұрын
Frightening. Thank you, Gary, for helping us stay safe.
@seanmahoney1077
Жыл бұрын
And here is another warning. Do not get too friendly with the service staff on a ship. They smile and are helpful and friendly because they are paid to be so. They don't really care about you, are not your friend and after you leave they have forgotten you. That's as it should be. However, if you have given a phone number or address back home to the staff, be perpared for a never ending littany of woes that they need help with.
@lesleywaghorn1627
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Gary. The extent of it is mind-blowing!
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
yes 100%!!!!!
@swisstroll3
Жыл бұрын
One of my best defenses is this: If it seems too good to be true, it is false. While there may be an exception, the chances are so small that you should just pass them up.
@sHillChannel
Жыл бұрын
Click bait! "She fell for it!" err "She almost fell for it?"
@karenreilly9425
Жыл бұрын
Don't use a pre-paid credit card for anything. The scammers get you to buy the pre-paid card for lots of money for a good deal but the pre-paids don't have the same protection as a legitimate card so you will lose your money.
@mapuc
Жыл бұрын
I say use your local travel agency or known cruise agencies on the web in your country
@amandabrown7043
Жыл бұрын
This is an amazing and incredibly useful video. Thank you.
@tipsfortravellers
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@neutrino78x
Жыл бұрын
Gary, hugely important video! It's not just "old people" who get scammed, either! I myself fell for a scam, and I am only 45. I was SO PISSED OFF when I realized what had happened. It was less than 2000 USD, luckily I found out was going on before I sent more....and I make more than that per month, but it's the principle of the matter, you know?? Argh I was SO angry. But nothing you can do at that point except stop sending them money, and report it to the FBI (or the equivalent in UK etc). It's easy for people to say "oh that would never happen to me" but I'm sitting here as a guy with decades of experience online -- I've been chatting online in one form or another since 1987, when I was 9 --who managed to fall for someone acting like that they were someone they were not, and befriending me over a period of months, and tricking me into sending them money! So, just reminding people out there, it can happen to you as well! BE VIGILANT!! 🙂
@PaulCashman
Жыл бұрын
That was even more informative than normal for Gary...and that's saying a lot.
@fosteringleaders9872
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this video. Caribbean islands unfortunately have lots of scams in the timeshares where they offer free stays for listening to a presentation and people on cruises have lost their precious few hours trapped in a room and like you said, the hurdles you have to overcome to claim such prize are costly and certainly not worth it (taxes, airfare to the island).
@ChrisTheDBA
Жыл бұрын
Some lesser-stake scammers join cruise groups and sell t-shirts and whatever...still a scam to get your info and credit card, and bank accounts.
@LOrealHardly
Жыл бұрын
I know you'll not believe me but there are people who "buy" stuff from ads on Facebook, I kid you not!
@MR3DDev
Жыл бұрын
I hate those disguised time share presentations.
@PaulaRutherford-x1z
Жыл бұрын
Gary, you rule! We cruise in 26 days. You said start to check for cabin upgrades closer to sail time. We snagged a sweet deal today because of your advice. Thank you dear.
@howardosden3112
Жыл бұрын
Having retired from working in Consumer Protection for over 35 years, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 👍
@allanfifield8256
Жыл бұрын
Repeat after me: There is no such thing as a Free Lunch.
@dogzdad123
Жыл бұрын
Gary: Thanks for the heads-up on these scams. A local (native American) casino here in N. California mailed out a flyer/postcard promoting a “Free” Princess cruise. The “selected destinations” were limited. The staterooms were in the bowels of the ship. My neighbor took the bait. I did not. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”. If this is legit, I suppose that once you’re checked in and boarded, Princess will do their best effort to pick you up by the shoes and hang you upside down. Then start shaking you to see how much money falls our of your pockets? Your thoughts?
@arfriedman4577
Жыл бұрын
Glad you're letting people know of these scams. I hope they get the information first so they don't get scammed.
@margaretthompson6391
Жыл бұрын
I can see the recent uptake in ai assisted productions resulting in more scams.
@williamwagner7959
8 ай бұрын
Lets not forget the Timeshare sales with a bait and switch. I feel for that and lost $1700. Run away from any resort ads.
@sdega315
Жыл бұрын
This is great info, Gary! Thanks for keeping us informed.
@peccatumDei
Жыл бұрын
Scammers seem to be everywhere these days, unfortunately. Let me share a good story though. My sister's hobby is entering contests, and she's won quite a few over the years. The best one though was a one week Alaska cruise with National Geographic, where most of the people on board were actual scientists with Doctorates and such. The accommodations were spartan to be sure, but this was not a cruise that could be bought at any price.
@chriswilliams6568
Жыл бұрын
Yes, one can buy a cruise with National Geographic.
@TheBashfulScambaiter
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for sharing this valuable information. I work with a worldwide group of people (known as scambaiters) who try to help spread awareness about scams of all kinds, and this video really helps to educate others!!
@clbert7460
Жыл бұрын
Really great tips! Even the most savvy people can be scammed. You’ve given us even more to watch out for. Happy Cruising, all!
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