5 Tourist Scams We Witnessed First Hand on Our Last Cruise

Editorial Summary

The creator shares several firsthand experiences and observations regarding common scams encountered by cruise travelers in various ports of call. In Barcelona, she describes witnessing a restaurant pickpocketing incident where a man's crossbody bag was stolen from a chair, as well as a tourist photo scam involving women who demand payment after posing for pictures. She also details a team pickpocketing method observed in Rome, where individuals use items like hats or sweatshirts to conceal their movements while targeting handbags. To avoid tourist trap restaurants, the creator suggests seeking out side streets and asking locals for recommendations, providing specific dining suggestions in Barcelona and Rome. Finally, she recounts a personal mistake involving a fraudulent skip-the-line Vatican ticket purchased online. She explains that the tickets required an in-person pickup at a distant location, rendering them unusable. She concludes by advising travelers to conduct thorough research, check company reviews, and remain vigilant even when on vacation.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.