Quantcast

Cruise passenger loses $3,500 after booking through fake travel agent

Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
Cruise passenger loses $3,500 after booking through fake travel agent
Research
Webp b50wtm592y9yquyl5mp3mt1xfqgo
Gene Sloan Cruise team lead | The Points Guy

When L. Williams booked a Caribbean cruise, she believed she was dealing with a travel agent from Carnival Cruise Line. Unfortunately, the individual was a scammer, and it took five years for her to realize she had lost $3,500.

Williams enjoyed a weeklong cruise aboard Carnival Freedom in December 2019 without knowing of the impending issue. In 2024, as her family planned another Carnival cruise, Williams discovered that her reservation had disappeared from her account. After contacting Carnival, she learned that her name had been added to the "Do Not Sail" list because the previous cruise had been paid with a stolen credit card.

"I was stunned," said Williams. "The credit card used for payment was reported stolen after our trip." Despite being asked to repay $3,500 to Carnival, there was no guarantee of being removed from the list.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Consumer reporter and mediator Christopher Elliott explained that Williams made several mistakes when booking the 2019 cruise. Her first error was not vetting the travel agent who turned out to be unaffiliated with Carnival Cruise Line. Another mistake was paying for the cruise using Zelle instead of a credit card.

Elliott advised against using cash or instant money transfers like Zelle due to lack of purchase protection. He suggested researching travel agents and agencies before booking and emphasized using credit cards for payments to protect against fraud.

Carnival declined to comment on Williams' situation but stated that legitimate consultants would never request payment via apps like Zelle.

Elliott recommended checking agents' credentials through organizations such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He also mentioned AAA's vetted professionals as reliable options.

In summary, thorough research and using credit cards can prevent vacation scams. Elliott offers assistance through ombudsman@thepointsguy.com for those facing similar issues.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025