Cruise Sweepstakes:How You And All Of Your Loved Ones Can Avoid Cruise Vacation Ripoffs
When you search over to a cruise win or cruise giveaways agency's Web site, or dial up their 800 number, you may be speaking with one of the top cruise-only wholesalers in the region, a local franchisee of a large full-service travel company, or a very skilled cruise professional at a small cruise agency. Or, it may be a novice operating off of his or her kitchen table.
So, how can you tell the difference and find a good, reputable travel agent or agency -- and keep away from a bad booking experience?
Unfortunately, agents tell us that the traveling industry is not well-regulated, and just about anyone can just print up small business cards, hang out a shingle and start marketing travel. The bulk of states do not necessitate any sort of registration, certification, licensing or customer protection measures for travel businesses, although this is beginning to change. Bottom line: It is crucial to know who you are doing business with.
Your best bet is to discuss to close friends, co-workers, family members and associates and ask them if they are aware of of a good, reliable, local agent who focuses in cruise sweepstakes. But here are a some more tips for reducing cruise travel scams -- and spotting a less-than-legitimate agency and protecting your investment before it's too late.
Paid with a credit card. For your correct protection against either a dishonest seller of travel or likely supplier bankruptcy, always pay out for your cruise fare -- both the primary deposit and the last payment -- with a major credit card such as Visa, Mastercard or Amex. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you are entitled to safety (via a chargeback of disputed fees to your account) if a distributor fails.
Essential note: This protection may not carry out to those utilizing debit or check cards; it's very important to confirm rules with your issuing bank just before you charge.
Make certain your money is in the appropriate hands. After you've made a payment, review your credit card or bank statement and make sure that any applicable charges come straight with the cruise line, not with the travel agency. That way, you'll understand that the cruise line has absolutely obtained your money. If you have to make payment by check or money order, it should be made out payable to the cruise line -- not to the company or to a person.
Get the right confirmation of your booking. Insist on getting the actual cruise line's verification numbers, not just a confirmation number from your company. Not only will you then know that your data and money is in the right hands, but you'll also be able to preserver shore excursions, restaurant bookings and spa appointments (where available) on the cruise line's Web site.