I feel the best defense against most scams is a healthy dose of common sense. Go out with a buddy to watch your back (and you watch theirs). Do everything you can to not make yourself a target. Realize that no one is going to be selling you a Gucci/Prada/Whatever handbag on the streets of a port city. Never, ever go off with a stranger alone to anywhere. There is nothing you really need to see in that back alley.
A taxi driver in Maui bilked me. He joked about the fare from the cruise port to the airport, saying "oh, a million dollars." I don't live in a place where I use taxis, and so I was uneducated about how to protect myself. We got to the airport and he flipped up a piece of fabric which had been covering the meter. The meter showed $55 on it and he said he'd give me a deal and only charge $40. I knew it was a scam, but at that point didn't know what else to do buy pay it and get out of the taxi. BTW, the fare should have been $15 to $20. I've learned to always get the taxi number and insist on seeing the meter set to zero before we begin.
We had this happen in Cozumel. They had a rack of small canvas paintings displayed. We were looking at them and my husband liked one and picked it up to show me. The paint was wet. The guy comes over and starts screaming at us that we ruined his artwork and we needed to buy it now. He said he would call over the police. I called his bluff and said yes, please call the police as I will tell them about your scam. He backed down then. It was stressful tho!
If the painting was wet, it shouldn't have been on display in the first place. Vendors fault, not the shopper. There's multiple scams for everyone to fall for, especially on vacation.
Sadly the cops in Mexico are dirty too. They are mostly targeting the people that drive into Mexico by car and pulling them over and bringing false charges (Like driving while on your cell phone), then negotiating a release fee (usually a couple of hundred dollars) or they will take you to jail! My husband and I just went to Cozumel in December and we stayed on the ship. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet while everyone was off the ship.
All Good points. I recommend these: Stay in groups of 2 to 4, not alone. Know your mission. Casual walking is targeted. Move to your destination with purpose. Be situationally aware. People will cross the street and follow you, be aware of your surroundings. Stay in populated areas. Don’t head into non Tourist areas.
Watch out for Gringo pricing in tourist areas in MX. In Cozumel, it’s common for them to add extra charges for things you did not order in restaurants. I have even caught this at a couple of our local Mexican restaurants here in the US. Also in Mexico, pay attention to menu prices, it’s a good idea to take a pic of the menu that way if your food is a different price than what’s listed on the menu you can have it adjusted. It’s illegal in MX for them to charge you a different price than what they list on the menu.
don't just take photos of any vehicle you rent; do a walk through with an employee, and record a video of the 2 of you talking about it all - and if you're able in your phone, snap shots as you go of the damaged areas. There are insurance scams, and gasoline scams as well - make sure you stay diligent
Yep, I got scammed when I got separated from the rest of the the group walking down a street with souvenir shops on both sides with no way out except straight ahead and the owners of the shops literally came out, surrounded me so I couldn’t keep walking ahead and started putting stings of beads and other stuff on me and demanded money. I didn’t take much money with me, but they wouldn’t let me go until they were sure I had no money left.
You may NOT 🚫 want to use the same credit card to purchase items from vendors on port that you use for your cruise ship incidentals. In case you may have to stop the card because of being scammed in some way.
Thank you for the info! We did have a man come up to us in Mexico while we where waiting on a bus and he started crying talking about his sick kid. I told him I’m sorry, and I need to go, then walked away. Luckily our bus came up shortly after!
San Juan got me on the currency scam. I paid for lunch with a c.c. and it was about $150. Got my c.c. statement only to find they charged me $317. Told by my c.c. company that I have to do the footwork to get a copy of the receipt because I had tossed mine when I got home. Never again, I will save all receipts. This place has not answered the phone in 5 days now. I give up and will learn from this!
Great tips and I do use these when traveling. I always call my credit credit card companies and tell them when and where I am traveling so strange charges don't appear. Years ago, we were warned about gypsies in Europe and kids who will circle you and pick-pocket.
Many of us like experiences and we don't like to buy stuff ( dust collectors)........so whether it be a cruise or if you are staying at a resort on land the hiring something like a jetski and them saying you ruined it is very common.......Even with car hire take photos of what you are renting first.
You are correct about the tugging at your heart strings scam. In Rome there was an elderly lady that was severely hunched over, begging near the Pantheon. Several hours later, I saw her near the Colosseum. She almost... got me because at first glance, you could not help but to feel sorry for her.
I've seen kids come up begging, and another kid comes up and places a piece of cardboard on your back, to distract your information to that presing and not paying attention to the original beggad a third kid pockets your wallet, because your attention is initially directed to the pressed-on-you-cardboard.
I think in Canada, the taxi cab scams are not required since the cab rate is pretty hideous legally. It is in places like the Caribbean or Mexico that this scam will go down
Another way ;to protect your credit is to use a prepaid card. If you load a fairly small amount, say $200, and iit gets removed from you, not a huge loss and even better if you have already spent some of the balance on previous transactions.
We love cruising, but scams are almost everywhere at the ports. When getting off take small bills in cash. Work as a team because thieves do. You must have a plan to out smart thieves. You must develop “Street Smarts” if you don’t have all ready. Again, we love cruising.
Years ago, at the port in the Bahamas, we rented a Scooter. Not sure why, but something told me to open the gas cap and see how much gas in there before we took off - there was barely anything in there!! I told the man we are not going on that scooter until it is gassed up - could be an honest mistake or it could have been a scam. In Cancun I foolishly bought silver bangles stamped 925 off a guy selling it on the beach on the Club Med property - of course when I got home I found they were plated and not solid silver. I am reading all the comments posted for this video to learn from other people's misfortunes and mistakes. Great education.
This isn't a cruise story but it happen in Playa Del Carmen across from Cozumel. We were staying at an All Inclusive in Playa and went to 5th Ave. At the resort they "BRAND" you😂 with a bracelet so hotel staff knows you have the inclusive package. Well everyone trying to sell you stuff on 5th Ave knows what resort you're staying in and uses it. This guy saw our bracelet and said "hey my friend it's me your waiter from the (insert your resort here). Not wanting to offend the poor guy for not recognizing him🤣🤣 he got me talking. Where he screwed up is I don't buy jewelry from off the street and definitely not from down an alley. When we got back to the resort an older gentlemen just started talking to us about this scam that the locals use because of the bracelets. Boy did I have a story for him. Keep your head on a swivel folks.
Apparently that's pretty common -- I don't think it's the bracelets, it's just because you look like a tourist. Same thing also happened to us in Playa just last October, and we were just staying at a NON-inclusive Mexican hotel without any bracelets at all. We're walking down 5th Street and this guy comes running out of a shop and says, "Hey, I know you, I'm the bartender at your hotel, I make your margaritas." Well, no, you don't. We don't drink margaritas and our hotel didn't even have a bar. We just kept walking. Nice try, LOL.
I always video with date clearly displayed a walk around every rental car s well-inside and out. Workers will observe you doing this sometimes-never had an issue with the 'damage' scam this way.
In Roatan we have seen the "would you like to hold my monkey" scam. As the monkey is sitting on your head, the guy demands 5 bucks. I offered to sell him my newly-acquired pet monkey. Some resorts have a rope line across the sand where scammers are not allowed to walk. I don't need a t-shirt or butterfly bracelet every 5 minutes. Now on the flip side, we stopped along the south shore of Cozumel and I was immediately offered a free bottle of beer. That's just good business!
They got me in the Dominican Republic with an iguana. I was dating a Dominican woman and she tried to warn me but I thought she was warning me about the iguana. I used to have one back in the early 90s so was well aware of their claws and tail. That was not what she tried warning me about. $5 mistake, I learned
Another one is the bump and scissors girls carry a shoulder bag with the strap they bump into you. They have scissors cut the strap as they’re distracting you, and away goes your purse.
Yes!!! My daughter and I were scammed from a ride Miami cruise port to airport a few years ago by taxi driver. Lift or Uber from here on out. Be vigilant with the map with drivers too because they will sometimes go a different, longer route and you cannot contest it with the company. They will only reimburse tip amount that you give the driver and not reimburse the extended miles that the driver went off track. They sometimes say that they "accidentally" missed the exit. This has only happened in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale on several occasions. I help remind them of upcoming exits so they can get a cash tip.
When I am on an International cruise, I notify my credit card companies before hand on the countries I am visiting and setting a dollar limit on purchases. Call after returning to reset the credit limit back. I also keep cash in different pockets for tips or small purchases.
Alaskan cruises warning. Tanzanite is a cheap gem...coloured blue glass at best. Its not valuable. In some ports there are literally 20-30 stores out to rip off tourists. Walk away. If you want cheap jewellry for high cost go ahead. Need i say never buy art or watches on a cruise ship...its not valuable and is from a bulging warehouse of cheap goods.
Honestly I keep all valuables in my wife’s cross body purse that’s both zippered and has a flap that’s buttoned or I have cargo shorts with both button pockets and zippers. I also go cruising because I love staying on the boat while everyone else is at port.
Great great video. With that said, I wouldn't recommend carrying cash. Pulling out cash will definitely make you a target since most people use cards now. I do get your point about the credit card scam though. I would rather dispute a purchase with my bank once im home than carry cash. Even if you only have a little on you, it's dangerous for them to see your cash if you are in a poor country.
Hello Jason,, love your videos. They all have good info. I did have a question, it not scam related, but can people that use a portable oxygen concentrator (inogen one G-5,etc.) on a cruise ship? They are allowed on air lines.
Any of these scams happen where ever people travel. I am bringing 4 Blue Cards on a cruise in February 2024 and want them to be travel savvy. I don't want to scare the wits out of them and have them feel like a cruise is frought with dangers and trip wire situations. Your video is to the point, as usual- and the comments are also note worthy to give a layer of smart travel common sense experiences. Being in crowded areas should always turn up your personal space radar. For people who have traveled to large cities and gone to the tourist areas- all of these flags should also be in your mind set.. thank you for your videos and shared cruise experience. The cruise life is community based- thanks to the internet.
Yeah, these scammers are something else. I went to the Bahamas and this lady says "I got free bracelet for you" I replied back with ok sounds good. Then as I started to walk away, she said oh they 2 dolla, I told her "no you said they were free! Anyways, I gave her the 2 damn dollars and left. Nope never again! I really like this video and will never ever be scammed by these yahoos anymore. Oh and then the bahemian woman later on, offered to give me 7 braids. Heifer gave me 27 and wanted 135 bucks. I said Nope you said 7 and that's all I'm paying you for! I walked away. Btw,, I likes and subscribed!
I don't like going to the port of Nassau the Bahamas I stay on the ship every time I get off they tried to free bracelet scam and the photo scam, and a lot of panhandlers the last time I went, in 2022
Hi Willian. Yeah, we often use a Nassau port stop to film our ship tours. Either that, or we just enjoy time sitting at an outside pool and we enjoy the beautiful scenery. Thanks for chiming in my Friend!
@@TheTravelScouts Agreed, I was in Nassau September of 2022, and I normally stay on the ship, but decided to see if it had gotten any better in the past few years, since my last shore visit, it hadn't, in fact it felt worse, once past all of the construction I walked about a couple hundred yards and was "swarmed" the entire way by vendors scammers panhandlers, and taxi, transportation people, So I turned around, went back to the Ship, Got me a Hurricane drink, a book, and enjoyed the warm sunshine and comfortable chairs of the Serenity Deck.
I went on a cruise in December 2022 and my husband and I stayed on the ship when it got to Cozumel. We had the run of the ship, nice lunch and a cocktail by the very quiet pool. It was wonderful!
Can you please direct me to where I can learn about how the dining reservation system works on the Mardi Gras? I’d also really like to have a schedule of events to pack for. Why can’t I find this information? Thank you!
An item costs $10, and you only have $20s. You give them the $20 and are waiting for change, and they say you only gave them a $10 bill. You just lost $10 dollars, and they made 200% on the item.
Before you take possession of a rent a car - turn on your video in your phone and film the attendant who is giving you the car and the following 1. all around the car/scooter/motorcycle noting any scrapes and chips in the windshield 2. under the doors is a frame that can be bent if someone jacks up the car in the wrong place to change a flat tire - they will say it was you and charge you 3. the spare tire in the trunk which might be flat or missing - same for the jack 4. the interior - look for damage or stains from spilt drinks 5. the tires notably the sidewalls for any scuffs or damage 6. the mileage and the gas level 7. if you have car rental insurance on your credit card you can deny them charging you for their insurance - leave and go to another rental if they insist ( you might require some investigation on this one ) BEFORE YOU TRY TO RENT - GET INFORMED. Even big name companies like Hertz have crooked employees trying to scam tourists.
Hi my Friend! Hey, they do the job! My closet is loaded with "North Face" jackets and other attire I got for $15 in the Himalayas. All legit stuff I am sure... Ha! Great price though! :)
I'm sure the locals can spot a tourist, but it would help if you not dress 'patriotic' cause it will only make it worse. Try to blend. Military teaching for you.
The hair braiding scam in Nassau Bahamas got us. She said it was $5, but didn't say it was $5 per braid. I will never get off in Nassau again. I didn't feel comfortable or safe there. Constant bombardment from locals.
This wasn’t a scam but a misunderstanding. What exactly did you expect for $5? Five American dollars??? Tourists who don’t intend to support the local economies in the various Caribbean ports would do well to remain on the ship, in my opinion. Thanks.
Also for the ladies, while in a restroom stall, do not place your purse on the floor where it can be grabbed.
Good to know, thank you
Plus: EWWWWW
I feel the best defense against most scams is a healthy dose of common sense. Go out with a buddy to watch your back (and you watch theirs). Do everything you can to not make yourself a target. Realize that no one is going to be selling you a Gucci/Prada/Whatever handbag on the streets of a port city. Never, ever go off with a stranger alone to anywhere. There is nothing you really need to see in that back alley.
Good advice my Friend! Well said!
A taxi driver in Maui bilked me. He joked about the fare from the cruise port to the airport, saying "oh, a million dollars." I don't live in a place where I use taxis, and so I was uneducated about how to protect myself. We got to the airport and he flipped up a piece of fabric which had been covering the meter. The meter showed $55 on it and he said he'd give me a deal and only charge $40. I knew it was a scam, but at that point didn't know what else to do buy pay it and get out of the taxi. BTW, the fare should have been $15 to $20. I've learned to always get the taxi number and insist on seeing the meter set to zero before we begin.
We had this happen in Cozumel. They had a rack of small canvas paintings displayed. We were looking at them and my husband liked one and picked it up to show me. The paint was wet. The guy comes over and starts screaming at us that we ruined his artwork and we needed to buy it now. He said he would call over the police. I called his bluff and said yes, please call the police as I will tell them about your scam. He backed down then. It was stressful tho!
If the painting was wet, it shouldn't have been on display in the first place. Vendors fault, not the shopper. There's multiple scams for everyone to fall for, especially on vacation.
Sadly the cops in Mexico are dirty too. They are mostly targeting the people that drive into Mexico by car and pulling them over and bringing false charges (Like driving while on your cell phone), then negotiating a release fee (usually a couple of hundred dollars) or they will take you to jail! My husband and I just went to Cozumel in December and we stayed on the ship. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet while everyone was off the ship.
Also agree upon the price per person, the taxi drivers love to tell you the price they gave was per person after you arrive instead of per ride.
All Good points. I recommend these: Stay in groups of 2 to 4, not alone. Know your mission. Casual walking is targeted. Move to your destination with purpose. Be situationally aware. People will cross the street and follow you, be aware of your surroundings. Stay in populated areas. Don’t head into non Tourist areas.
Watch out for Gringo pricing in tourist areas in MX. In Cozumel, it’s common for them to add extra charges for things you did not order in restaurants. I have even caught this at a couple of our local Mexican restaurants here in the US.
Also in Mexico, pay attention to menu prices, it’s a good idea to take a pic of the menu that way if your food is a different price than what’s listed on the menu you can have it adjusted. It’s illegal in MX for them to charge you a different price than what they list on the menu.
This was a VERY updated cruise port scam video! Thank you! I’ll be sharing this with many ppl. 😊
don't just take photos of any vehicle you rent; do a walk through with an employee, and record a video of the 2 of you talking about it all - and if you're able in your phone, snap shots as you go of the damaged areas. There are insurance scams, and gasoline scams as well - make sure you stay diligent
Yep, I got scammed when I got separated from the rest of the the group walking down a street with souvenir shops on both sides with no way out except straight ahead and the owners of the shops literally came out, surrounded me so I couldn’t keep walking ahead and started putting stings of beads and other stuff on me and demanded money. I didn’t take much money with me, but they wouldn’t let me go until they were sure I had no money left.
That's not being scammed. That's being mugged.
I was aware of most of these but it never hurts for a healthy reminder, good tips Jason 🐸
You may NOT 🚫 want to use the same credit card to purchase items from vendors on port that you use for your cruise ship incidentals. In case you may have to stop the card because of being scammed in some way.
Thank you for the info! We did have a man come up to us in Mexico while we where waiting on a bus and he started crying talking about his sick kid. I told him I’m sorry, and I need to go, then walked away. Luckily our bus came up shortly after!
Thanks Jason, I will use your advice for sure.
San Juan got me on the currency scam. I paid for lunch with a c.c. and it was about $150. Got my c.c. statement only to find they charged me $317. Told by my c.c. company that I have to do the footwork to get a copy of the receipt because I had tossed mine when I got home. Never again, I will save all receipts. This place has not answered the phone in 5 days now. I give up and will learn from this!
Take a photo of the receipt and email it to yourself. Even if it doesn’t send right away, it will sit in drafts
Great tips and I do use these when traveling. I always call my credit credit card companies and tell them when and where I am traveling so strange charges don't appear. Years ago, we were warned about gypsies in Europe and kids who will circle you and pick-pocket.
A lot great information that I can pass along to my travelers.
Thanks Wanda!
Thank you so much. I am sharing this with my cruise group 🙏🏽 I appreciate you.
G’day, thanks so much for the info. Much appreciated.
Hi Heather! Thanks for watching!
I wear compression shorts with pockets under my shorts. They keep my wallet and passport safe under my shorts.
Hi Steven! That works my Friend. Thanks for chiming in!
Great information. I already was aware of some of them. Learned some new also.
Thanks Bob! I appreciate your kind words!
so glad I found this channel! Great Info!!
Thanks Lisa!
Great tips!!! Thanks for sharing 🛳🛳
Thanks Mitchell!
Many of us like experiences and we don't like to buy stuff ( dust collectors)........so whether it be a cruise or if you are staying at a resort on land the hiring something like a jetski and them saying you ruined it is very common.......Even with car hire take photos of what you are renting first.
You are correct about the tugging at your heart strings scam. In Rome there was an elderly lady that was severely hunched over, begging near the Pantheon. Several hours later, I saw her near the Colosseum. She almost... got me because at first glance, you could not help but to feel sorry for her.
I've seen kids come up begging, and another kid comes up and places a piece of cardboard on your back, to distract your information to that presing and not paying attention to the original beggad a third kid pockets your wallet, because your attention is initially directed to the pressed-on-you-cardboard.
Places like Vancouver have fixed price from airport to cruise terminal. Know before you go!!
I think in Canada, the taxi cab scams are not required since the cab rate is pretty hideous legally. It is in places like the Caribbean or Mexico that this scam will go down
Another way ;to protect your credit is to use a prepaid card. If you load a fairly small amount, say $200, and iit gets removed from you, not a huge loss and even better if you have already spent some of the balance on previous transactions.
I love it! Great tip David!
They can only be used in the United States
We love cruising, but scams are almost everywhere at the ports. When getting off take small bills in cash. Work as a team because thieves do. You must have a plan to out smart thieves. You must develop “Street Smarts” if you don’t have all ready. Again, we love cruising.
Years ago, at the port in the Bahamas, we rented a Scooter. Not sure why, but something told me to open the gas cap and see how much gas in there before we took off - there was barely anything in there!! I told the man we are not going on that scooter until it is gassed up - could be an honest mistake or it could have been a scam. In Cancun I foolishly bought silver bangles stamped 925 off a guy selling it on the beach on the Club Med property - of course when I got home I found they were plated and not solid silver. I am reading all the comments posted for this video to learn from other people's misfortunes and mistakes. Great education.
This isn't a cruise story but it happen in Playa Del Carmen across from Cozumel. We were staying at an All Inclusive in Playa and went to 5th Ave. At the resort they "BRAND" you😂 with a bracelet so hotel staff knows you have the inclusive package. Well everyone trying to sell you stuff on 5th Ave knows what resort you're staying in and uses it. This guy saw our bracelet and said "hey my friend it's me your waiter from the (insert your resort here). Not wanting to offend the poor guy for not recognizing him🤣🤣 he got me talking. Where he screwed up is I don't buy jewelry from off the street and definitely not from down an alley. When we got back to the resort an older gentlemen just started talking to us about this scam that the locals use because of the bracelets. Boy did I have a story for him. Keep your head on a swivel folks.
Apparently that's pretty common -- I don't think it's the bracelets, it's just because you look like a tourist. Same thing also happened to us in Playa just last October, and we were just staying at a NON-inclusive Mexican hotel without any bracelets at all. We're walking down 5th Street and this guy comes running out of a shop and says, "Hey, I know you, I'm the bartender at your hotel, I make your margaritas." Well, no, you don't. We don't drink margaritas and our hotel didn't even have a bar. We just kept walking. Nice try, LOL.
This happened to us in Cancun
I always video with date clearly displayed a walk around every rental car s well-inside and out. Workers will observe you doing this sometimes-never had an issue with the 'damage' scam this way.
Very helpful ideas!
Thanks Scott!
In Roatan we have seen the "would you like to hold my monkey" scam. As the monkey is sitting on your head, the guy demands 5 bucks. I offered to sell him my newly-acquired pet monkey. Some resorts have a rope line across the sand where scammers are not allowed to walk. I don't need a t-shirt or butterfly bracelet every 5 minutes. Now on the flip side, we stopped along the south shore of Cozumel and I was immediately offered a free bottle of beer. That's just good business!
They got me in the Dominican Republic with an iguana. I was dating a Dominican woman and she tried to warn me but I thought she was warning me about the iguana. I used to have one back in the early 90s so was well aware of their claws and tail. That was not what she tried warning me about. $5 mistake, I learned
Another one is the bump and scissors girls carry a shoulder bag with the strap they bump into you. They have scissors cut the strap as they’re distracting you, and away goes your purse.
🧜♀️ Great information!
Thanks Sweet Jaybaby!
Hi! Love your videos. When on a cruise, where can we get currency for the countries we visit? Do the cruise ships offer currency exchange ?
Excellent information!
on the taxis also ask if the payment is in cash or credit card
We always notify our credit card companies that we’ll be traveling.
Very smart!
I have also encountered the taxi cab scam right here in the US especially at the Port of Miami !!!!
Hi Willian. Very true. The taxi scam is common globally.
I had that happened in Miami! He said "No tip???" I said "Take it out of the fare!" 🤭🤭🤭
Yes!!! My daughter and I were scammed from a ride Miami cruise port to airport a few years ago by taxi driver. Lift or Uber from here on out. Be vigilant with the map with drivers too because they will sometimes go a different, longer route and you cannot contest it with the company. They will only reimburse tip amount that you give the driver and not reimburse the extended miles that the driver went off track. They sometimes say that they "accidentally" missed the exit. This has only happened in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale on several occasions. I help remind them of upcoming exits so they can get a cash tip.
Good info. Thanks!
When I am on an International cruise, I notify my credit card companies before hand on the countries I am visiting and setting a dollar limit on purchases. Call after returning to reset the credit limit back. I also keep cash in different pockets for tips or small purchases.
Alaskan cruises warning. Tanzanite is a cheap gem...coloured blue glass at best. Its not valuable. In some ports there are literally 20-30 stores out to rip off tourists. Walk away. If you want cheap jewellry for high cost go ahead. Need i say never buy art or watches on a cruise ship...its not valuable and is from a bulging warehouse of cheap goods.
Saw that in St. Maarten, too.
Thanks for the heads up. We cruise to Alaska in June.
Honestly I keep all valuables in my wife’s cross body purse that’s both zippered and has a flap that’s buttoned or I have cargo shorts with both button pockets and zippers. I also go cruising because I love staying on the boat while everyone else is at port.
Great great video. With that said, I wouldn't recommend carrying cash. Pulling out cash will definitely make you a target since most people use cards now. I do get your point about the credit card scam though. I would rather dispute a purchase with my bank once im home than carry cash. Even if you only have a little on you, it's dangerous for them to see your cash if you are in a poor country.
great advice👏👏
Good information
Thank you Deborah!
I wear Tilley pants. All major pockets, both inside and outside are fastened with Velcro flaps. And... they are Canadian.
Hello Jason,, love your videos. They all have good info. I did have a question, it not scam related, but can people that use a portable oxygen concentrator (inogen one G-5,etc.) on a cruise ship? They are allowed on air lines.
Try using pre paid travellers credit card, add money when needed.
Hi Celia! Great tip. Thanks for chiming in!
AWESOME TIPS, espedially to update my husband on!
I read all these, but HE doesn't!
Any of these scams happen where ever people travel. I am bringing 4 Blue Cards on a cruise in February 2024 and want them to be travel savvy. I don't want to scare the wits out of them and have them feel like a cruise is frought with dangers and trip wire situations. Your video is to the point, as usual- and the comments are also note worthy to give a layer of smart travel common sense experiences. Being in crowded areas should always turn up your personal space radar. For people who have traveled to large cities and gone to the tourist areas- all of these flags should also be in your mind set.. thank you for your videos and shared cruise experience. The cruise life is community based- thanks to the internet.
Yeah, these scammers are something else. I went to the Bahamas and this lady says "I got free bracelet for you" I replied back with ok sounds good. Then as I started to walk away, she said oh they 2 dolla, I told her "no you said they were free! Anyways, I gave her the 2 damn dollars and left. Nope never again! I really like this video and will never ever be scammed by these yahoos anymore. Oh and then the bahemian woman later on, offered to give me 7 braids. Heifer gave me 27 and wanted 135 bucks. I said Nope you said 7 and that's all I'm paying you for! I walked away. Btw,, I likes and subscribed!
It’s easy to steal from the backpack.
I ask the hotel to call me a taxi l, they know reputable taxi drivers and I take a picture of the plate, the car and the driver's face.
If possible use a credit card that has a low line of credit.
Paying for a beach chair that was free anyways....
What hotel you guys recommend near Port Canaveral, Florida?
I don't like going to the port of Nassau the Bahamas I stay on the ship every time I get off they tried to free bracelet scam and the photo scam, and a lot of panhandlers the last time I went, in 2022
Hi Willian. Yeah, we often use a Nassau port stop to film our ship tours. Either that, or we just enjoy time sitting at an outside pool and we enjoy the beautiful scenery. Thanks for chiming in my Friend!
@@TheTravelScouts Agreed, I was in Nassau September of 2022, and I normally stay on the ship, but decided to see if it had gotten any better in the past few years, since my last shore visit, it hadn't, in fact it felt worse, once past all of the construction I walked about a couple hundred yards and was "swarmed" the entire way by vendors scammers panhandlers, and taxi, transportation people, So I turned around, went back to the Ship, Got me a Hurricane drink, a book, and enjoyed the warm sunshine and comfortable chairs of the Serenity Deck.
I went on a cruise in December 2022 and my husband and I stayed on the ship when it got to Cozumel. We had the run of the ship, nice lunch and a cocktail by the very quiet pool. It was wonderful!
Can you please direct me to where I can learn about how the dining reservation system works on the Mardi Gras? I’d also really like to have a schedule of events to pack for. Why can’t I find this information? Thank you!
An item costs $10, and you only have $20s. You give them the $20 and are waiting for change, and they say you only gave them a $10 bill. You just lost $10 dollars, and they made 200% on the item.
Before you take possession of a rent a car - turn on your video in your phone and film the attendant who is giving you the car and the following 1. all around the car/scooter/motorcycle noting any scrapes and chips in the windshield 2. under the doors is a frame that can be bent if someone jacks up the car in the wrong place to change a flat tire - they will say it was you and charge you 3. the spare tire in the trunk which might be flat or missing - same for the jack 4. the interior - look for damage or stains from spilt drinks 5. the tires notably the sidewalls for any scuffs or damage 6. the mileage and the gas level 7. if you have car rental insurance on your credit card you can deny them charging you for their insurance - leave and go to another rental if they insist ( you might require some investigation on this one ) BEFORE YOU TRY TO RENT - GET INFORMED. Even big name companies like Hertz have crooked employees trying to scam tourists.
In November I bought two pairs of Rayban sunglasses for $25.00 in Progreso Mexico, did I get a deal or what?
Hi my Friend! Hey, they do the job! My closet is loaded with "North Face" jackets and other attire I got for $15 in the Himalayas. All legit stuff I am sure... Ha! Great price though! :)
If you like how they blovk light and fit, great buy. Doubtful thry are "real".
@@petitecherie501 of course I know they are real but they look good.
When I went, I talked them down to $12. They look real, but are not. Worth $12 but not the $50 they started at.
I'm sure the locals can spot a tourist, but it would help if you not dress 'patriotic' cause it will only make it worse. Try to blend. Military teaching for you.
Hi Friend! Thanks for sharing! Good military teaching is always welcome. :)
The hair braiding scam in Nassau Bahamas got us. She said it was $5, but didn't say it was $5 per braid. I will never get off in Nassau again. I didn't feel comfortable or safe there. Constant bombardment from locals.
OMG They got us at Princess Cays. Told it was $3, it turned into $45 as it was $3 per braid. Oh boy, I was mad
$3 to braid your entire head? Come on…..what planet were you all vacationing from?
This wasn’t a scam but a misunderstanding. What exactly did you expect for $5? Five American dollars???
Tourists who don’t intend to support the local economies in the various Caribbean ports would do well to remain on the ship, in my opinion. Thanks.
We got scammed 500$ at cozmuel cruise port 🤦♀️ it was horrible. But we learned our lesson.
What happened?
How do I avoid all of these scams??......I stay home!
Thanks for this great video!
Thanks Pamella!
Thank you for your content.
Hi Miss Amanda! Thanks for watching!
Great stuff. Thx
Thank you Kate!
Great tips! Thanks!