"free" cruise

Bonnie · #1 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 04:50 PM

My son just received a call from a travel agent that he won a free cruise to the Bahammas. I am trying to find out if this is legit or what this is about. They are out of the Tampa/St Pete Area. Security Travel USA. They cruise about 6 hours to Freeport then pay for 2 nights at a hotel called the Redwood. Then they cruise you home with a dinner cruise. The cost will be airfare to Ft Lauderdale and about 140 per person port charges and "administration fee" Anyone hear of this?

#2 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 05:25 PM

It sounds a lot like the old Ramada Plaza Resorts scam. I would check out www.clarkhoward.com - they addressed something similar to this recently.

#3 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 05:38 PM

If he has to pay anything for a "free" cruise, tell your son to run as fast as possible from this and to not give them any information ie: credit card, debit card, checking account number, etc.

Donna · #4 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 06:25 PM

Hi Bonnie,
I too would be very leery of an offer like that, seems these days you don't get anything "free". Sounds like a hard sell time share thing to me, I'd definately pass on something like that.

Donna
Tuesday Chat Host

#5 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 08:30 PM

Yes that sounds like the old Ramada deal to me too...run run run!

Al · #6 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2001, 09:47 PM

It's just a way to sell bottom-rung vacations for top dollar. There are dozens of "travel agencies" hawking these same "deals." The "cruise ships" are actually ferries (probably SeaEscape or similar barges), and really old ones at that; the dinner is a low-budget buffet, and the accommodations are a cut below Motel 6 (if that's possible). A quickie Carnival cruise can wind up costing just about the same money (believe me, there are other charges to come, as in food on land, etc.). Turn and run - and don't look back!!

#7 (**permalink**) September 5th, 2001, 04:18 PM

My gullible sister bought into this scam. She was to get 3 "free" vacations, one of which was a "free" cruise to the Bahamas. It was the same deal as you mentioned, but from Ft. Lauderdale instead. It ended up costing her a bundle!! She dealt with problem after problem with the booking. She got so frustrated that after her first "free" cruise, she gave up and never used the other two "free" vacations.