Scammers Threaten to Cancel Cruises in Fake Payment Emails
Cruise guests booked with Celestyal, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard have received fraudulent payment emails since September. Some messages demand card details within 24 hours; others warn that reservations could be cancelled. The operators have alerted customers and are investigating the reports. Anyone who has entered payment details or sent money through one of these links should contact their bank or card provider immediately.
One email shown to The Independent told Celestyal guests to verify their card details to keep a cabin reserved. Another directed them to a supposed guest portal within 24 hours. Norwegian passengers have reported messages containing genuine sailing dates, booking numbers and amounts paid. Cunard said in September that a small number of guests had received similar payment demands. Celestyal has posted an official warning.
Celestyal says it never requests booking verification or card details through an unsolicited email link, and told The Independent that sensitive customer information had not been compromised. Cunard said its systems had not been accessed without authorisation. Norwegian is still investigating the messages; it has not confirmed a data breach. Customers with reservation queries can use NCL's contact page rather than email links.
How to Check a Suspicious Cruise Email
- Who: Celestyal, Norwegian and Cunard customers.
- Warning signs: Sudden payment demands, cancellation threats and 24-hour deadlines.
- NCL senders: @ncl.com, @e.ncl.com, @nclcorp.com; addresses can be spoofed.
- Verification: Visit the operator's website directly or contact your travel agent.
- Avoid: Clicking links, replying or sharing card details.
- Accounts: Check your online booking for unexpected changes to contact details.
- UK reporting: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
A message quoting your actual ship, sailing date and booking number is not proof it came from the cruise line. Check any claimed balance against your account before paying. If you entered a password, change it wherever else you use it. If money has been taken, call your bank and report the fraud to Report Fraud in England, Wales or Northern Ireland; in Scotland, contact Police Scotland.