Book a Cruise Online Safely
Simple checks that keep your cruise money where it belongs.
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Nearly every cruise booked online goes smoothly. The risks come from sites and messages that only look like a cruise seller: copycat pages bought as search ads, “free cruise” prize calls, and sellers who want to be paid in ways you cannot reverse.
The rules below build on the Federal Trade Commission travel-scam advice and its guidance on credit card disputes, with the cruise detail added.
Seven Rules for Safe Online Cruise Booking
- Pay by credit card. Federal billing-dispute rights, explained by the FTC, cover credit card charges for things not delivered as agreed; cash, wires and gift cards have no such safety net.
- Never pay by wire, gift card or crypto. The FTC’s travel-scam advice says a seller insisting on these is running a scam, every time. Legitimate cruise sellers take cards.
- Be wary of “you have won a cruise.” A prize you must pay to claim is not a prize.
- Get the specifics. The ship, the sailing date and the cruise line’s name should be in writing before you pay. A seller who cannot name them is a reason to walk away.
- Type the address yourself. Search ads and links in texts can lead to look-alike sites.
- Check the booking with the line. Once you have a booking number, look it up on the cruise line’s own website or app.
- Protect your account. Use a unique password on cruise line and agency accounts, because they hold passport and payment details.
What a Real Cruise Booking Looks Like
A booking or confirmation number
Issued by the cruise line, and it works on the line’s website.
A written price breakdown
Fare, taxes and fees, and anything else you paid for, per person and in total.
Fare and cancellation terms
The deposit rules and the final payment date for your sailing.
A named contact
The line or the agency that holds your booking, and how to reach them.
Bought something that does not check out? Call your card issuer promptly about a dispute and report the site at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Our sister site Cruising Is Safe covers safety once you are on board.
Safe Online Booking FAQ
How do I know a cruise booking site is real?
Type the address yourself rather than clicking an ad or a link in a message, look for contact details and a physical address, search the company name with the words “complaint” or “scam,” and check your booking directly with the cruise line after you pay.
Is it safe to save my card on a cruise line app?
Official apps from the cruise lines are generally the safest way to store payment details for onboard spending. Download them only from the official app stores, and use a strong, unique password for the account.
Where do I report a fake travel site?
In the US, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Book With People You Can Reach
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise book with the cruise lines directly and stay with you until you sail.
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