Planning a voyage should feel exciting, not suspicious. But as we keep growing, so does the creativity of scammers trying to impersonate our world-famous brand. From too-good-to-be-true social posts to sketchy emails and phone calls, these bad actors are persistent. The good news? A little know-how goes a long way.
Here’s how to stay scam-smart, protect your personal information, and make sure every interaction is genuinely Virgin.
Why Virgin Voyages scams keep showing up
Scammers go where the demand is. With more Sailors discovering adults-only cruising, elevated dining, and sailings to bucket-list destinations, fraudsters try to blend in by copying our branding, tone, and even our offers.
They may pose as Virgin Voyages employees, First Mates, or “special promotions” accounts, hoping to rush you into sharing information or making a payment. Knowing their playbook makes it easier to shut it down.
Always verify deals on our official website
If a promotion pops up that feels unusually generous (not to say that ours aren't!), pause before you click. Scammers often invent flash sales or exclusive discounts that don’t exist anywhere else.
The safest move is to verify every offer directly on VirginVoyages.com. Legitimate promotions will always appear on our official Cruise Deals page or within our Cruise Packages.
If it’s not there, it’s not real.
We will never ask for sensitive information by email
This one’s non-negotiable. Virgin Voyages will never email you asking for sensitive personal or financial information.
That includes:
- Passwords
- Full credit card numbers
- Booking IDs
- Requests for unexpected payments
If an email pressures you to act quickly or threatens to cancel your voyage unless you provide details, it’s not from us. Delete it and move on with your day.
Don’t Google our phone number
It sounds counterintuitive, but this is one of the most common ways scammers intercept Sailors. Fake phone numbers are sometimes posted online to redirect calls to fraudsters pretending to be Virgin Voyages support.
Always use our official Sailor Services numbers:
- USA and Canada: +1 954 488 2955
- UK: +44 203 003 4919
If the number doesn’t match, don’t dial.
What to do if something feels off
Trust your instincts. If an interaction makes you uneasy, stop engaging immediately.
Here’s what to do next:
- Don’t respond to the email or continue the call
- Contact your bank right away if payment information was shared
- Reach out to our Sailor Services crew to verify any requests
- Visit our Fraud and Scam Alerts FAQ for detailed guidance
Taking quick action can help limit potential damage and protect your booking. If you want to go a step further, you can report fraudulent travel offers to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If identity theft is involved, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. Reporting online travel scams helps authorities track and shut down fake cruise deals.
When in doubt, come straight to the source
Scammers constantly evolve their tactics, but the best defense never changes: go directly to us. Whether that’s Sailor Services or the trusty First Mate you work with, our team is always the safest place to confirm information.
Your voyage deserves excitement, confidence, and peace of mind — whether you're cruising the Mexican Riviera or the Amalfi Coast.
Ready to plan the real thing?
When you book directly or work with an official First Mate, you can focus on what matters most: counting down to Scarlet Night. Sea you on board soon!
