Feds Investigating Tampa Travel Agency for Fraudulent BOGO Cruise Deal

© Norwegian
NCL Pearl

Oftentimes, cruises companies have great deals for their customers, but some hopeful cruisers that booked through a Florida travel agency on Norwegian Cruise Line appear to have fallen victim to the “too good to be true” syndrome.

Federal authorities are investigating the Hopkins Travel Services agency in Tampa for selling bogus “buy one, get one free” cruises on NCL.

Thousands of passengers could be affected as NCL has canceled any bookings made through the agency.

“This matter is currently under investigation by the federal authorities,” NCL said in a statement to WFLA. “It would be inappropriate for us to comment. However, please know that we are actively working with those guests affected.”

The trip was sold as a buy-one-get-one-free, seven-day cruise out of Venice, Italy to the Greek Isles. At $2,700 per couple, it was a deal too good to pass up.

But, just like the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true…

“It was a two-for-one deal, it came with an unlimited drink package and airfare,” said customer Austin Thomas.

Another customer, Robert Dorbit, says a Norwegian spokesperson told him his cruise alone should have cost $5,300 for him and his wife—not $2,700. Worse, Dorbit’s card was charged and NCL received money, but it was to pay for someone else’s trip.

“It was actually paying for someone to leave for Hawaii on Oct. 6,” Dorbit said a Norwegian spokesman told him. “So I had paid for somebody else’s trip to leave Oct. 6. So he had to call that person and tell them, ‘Sorry, you can’t go on your trip. I have to give Mr. Dorbit back his money.’”

Travel agency owner Diane Hopkins notified customers on Facebook this week saying their trips were canceled due to circumstances out of her control.

Hopkins could not be reached for comment.

Related video: 9 ways to make your Disney Cruise Line vacation even better—for free [via Travel + Leisure]

Click to expand

• Buzz60

• Inside Edition

• Buzz60

Travel + Leisure

• 9 Ways to Make Your Disney Cruise Line Vacation Even Better—for Free

  Travel + Leisure

  
  1:28
  

• The battle over overhead space on a flight: Can you really claim it?

  Buzz60

  
  0:54
  

• Flight attendant reveals the best tips for germaphobic passengers

  Inside Edition

  
  2:16
  

• Pop-up hotel in the North Pole costs $105,000 for one night

  Buzz60

  
  1:00
  

• Avoid ATM fees when you travel

  Buzz60

  
  1:08
  

• Fall Foliage Maps to Help You Find the Best Leaves

  Buzz60

  
  1:12
  

• Packing tips to save space and cash!

  Buzz60

  
  1:15
  

• Drunk or Unruly Passengers Are on the Rise — and a Legal Loophole Helps Many Get Away With It

  Travel + Leisure

  
  1:14
  

• Washington Monument back to elevating tourists over DC

  USA TODAY

  
  1:29
  

• Travel junkies soar above 124 countries in a hot air balloon

  Buzz60

  
  1:05
  

• 10 of the world’s most historic villages you can still live in

  Architectural Digest

  
  2:47
  

• How to avoid getting the middle seat on a plane

  Buzz60

  
  1:25
  

• Tourists arrested at Yellowstone geyser for ‘thermal trespassing’

  FOX News

  
  0:49
  

• This Is Why Everyone Should Plan a Trip to Destin, Florida

  Southern Living

  
  0:48
  

• Two Yellowstone Park Visitors Charged for Being Too Close to Old Faithful Geyser

  Veuer

  
  0:56
  

• How Gen Z is taking over travel

  Buzz60

  
  0:56