Carnival Cruise Line Passengers Are Being Targeted by Scammers. Here’s What the Company Says To Look Out For

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. However, in recent weeks, would-be customers of the cruise line have been targeted by scammers. In response, Carnival has advised its customers on things to look out for — and how to spot the difference between a legitimate travel agent and a scammer who wants your money.

Carnival Cruise Line Warns of Scams

According to The Travel, phony Carnival Cruise Line representatives are targeting cruisers for “unpaid fees.”

“Scammers are posing as cruise reps, claiming that unpaid balances or fees need to be paid while pressuring guests to provide credit card information. This is being done through emails and fake online ads,” notes Doug Parker of Cruise News Today. “A recent report said that one passenger almost paid $456 after calling a fake number that was found online that was masked as a Carnival Cruise Line number.”

Carnival Cruise Line also notes that sometimes, these scams come from travel agents. However, the cruise line makes clear that it is the responsibility of the traveler, and not the cruise line, to verify that the fees being paid are, in fact, real. What’s more, the cruise line absolves itself of any responsibility when it comes to scammers, be they online or through travel agents.

“Any travel agent, sales agent, or third party travel company utilized by the Guest in connection with the booking of the cruise, or this contract, is solely the agent of the Guest and not Carnival,” notes the company on its website. “Carnival is not responsible for the financial condition or integrity of any travel agent utilized by Guest. In the event that an agent shall fail to remit to Carnival any monies paid to the agent by Guest, Guest shall be and remain liable for any fare or other amounts due to Carnival, regardless of whether liability is asserted before or after embarkation.”

That said, Carnival Cruise Line notes that all passengers should verify information through the cruise line’s website before parting with their credit card information. Additionally, the cruise line warns passengers against giving their financial information over the phone or through an unsecured website.

Common Items Prohibited on Cruise Ships

Meanwhile, one thing that is not a scam is a list of prohibited items on a Carnival Cruise Line trip. In some cases, bringing these prohibited items on board could ban you from the ships for life.

Gary Bembridge, a travel and cruise specialist, revealed the common items that popular cruise companies like Carnival forbid in a recent interview with the New York Post.

He explained that extension cords, surge protectors, or “anything allowing multiple plugs” are the first items. “All cruise lines ban any extension cord with a surge protector feature,” he said, noting that cables are considered a fire hazard.

Furthermore, certain cruise lines — like Carnival Cruise Line — do not allow Bluetooth speakers.

“They have said that if any passenger tries to bring them on board at embarkation or at a port, they’ll be confiscated, and if cruisers buy a Bluetooth speaker in the on board shops, they will be held until the end of the cruise,” Bembridge explained. “I am sure it has really been done as it is annoying and intrusive having people playing loud music at the pools, around the deck, on their balconies and in their cabins.”

Wi-Fi hotspots, routers, and satellite dishes are also forbidden within the ship. Richard Shillington, a YouTuber, learned this the hard way on a Carnival cruise when he tried to bring a Starlink micro dish on board and had his bags confiscated.

Bembridge described how a Carnival cruise passenger was “denied boarding with no refund” after CBD sweets were discovered in her luggage, despite the fact that CBD oil is extensively used for therapeutic purposes. She was also given a lifetime ban.

Combustible materials, hard liquor, fireworks, explosives, drugs, ammunition, and sharp things including knives, scissors, and open razors are all prohibited on Carnival Cruise Line’s list.