Diamond Resorts Free Cruise...scam?

We did that too. It's not a scam. But you do have to pay for the taxes. And they limit you to what days you can go. For example ours would have to leave on a Wednesday and come back Saturday.

I would avoid this. They'll be trying to sell you on their timeshares from the beginning to end of your vacation.

The vendors who present vacation options are excellent at what they do. They are capable of emphasizing on the greatest selling points while excluding the fact that it is a timeshare. In the future, if your gut instinct reminds you of this experience, you should blatantly ask if it is a timeshare. My fiancé and I were nearly committed to one and then found out what it really was when we asked. So sorry you had that experience!

Thanks for the input! We want an easy fun vacation so we went ahead and told Diamond Resorts we would like to disconnect ourselves from the company. Good thing we didn’t purchase a timeshare...super blessing.

It's not a scam persay; it is a marketing campaign. They will aggressively try to sell you on the time share. My parents got caught in one when we were kids (vacation to Disney). The actual trip was nice - except for the 3 hours they spent talking to them. We counted by the 2 Disney movies we watched. To be fair though, my parents were suckered into buying, so I don't know how long the presentation on its own cost.

I purchased the same package today. When you called to cancel, were you able to get your money back?

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Summer, we unfortunately did not get our $200 back. Thankfully we had not actually reserved any trips with them yet so it was a little easier that way. We asked to be removed from everything they had. We just had no idea it was a timeshare but thankfully it was only $200 and not an actual timeshare.

This happened to me as well at a bridal show. I payed the $200 and got a call to book pamphlet. I’ve won a lot of other free things so I thought I was just lucky but the guy lied to me saying the presentation will be 30minutes only. Should I still go to the presentation and get the free cruise?

I'm following this threat too. Purchased the $200 voucher at a bridal show yesterday. They guy told me my bridesmaids and I could use it for our bachelorette weekend, but I noticed in the fine print that it says only up to 2 guests... Should I just tough out the 2 hour presentation, or try and cancel all together?

View Quoted Comment No, you will be out of way more money than you think with the cruise. My sister got the "free" cruise and it was no where near free. Just to activate the free cruise she said she had to pay $200. I personally got sucked in with diamond at a festival. I payed $100 for a 4 day 3 night vacation. I actually went on the vacation to Gatlinburg TN last week. The presentation was not too bad, once I refused to sign the credit check they know I was not buying and they gave me my $50 Visa card and another free vacation ( both a part of the original deal). After coming home and reading the details on the "free" vacation I feel kinda suckered. It's definitely not free. it's $29 just to activate the vacation, plus $70 to book the vacation, it must be booked within 60 days, I still have to pay taxes and resort fees which they base on the going rate(over $100), incidentals and parking. I can't cancel or change once it's booked.

Technically it is not a scam. You will eventually get your tickets but during your "free trip" you will be required to sit through several seminars and such so you won't really get to enjoy your vacation. You will also have to pay the taxes and they tell you when you can go.

If you want a legitimate cruise, check out Carnival. They have great cruise deals going on right now that start at $299 a person!

Not really a scam but go anyway. We had an amazing experience in Orlando. We were upgraded to the resort and only paid tax. Yes it's a timeshare but just say no if not interested. We also just booked the cruise for two people. $545 for two people on a 4 night Royal Caribbean Cruise. It is not free but it is certainly MUCH LESS than Royal's price which was about $1020. Give it a chance it will save tons of money.

Also want to add YOU CAN PICK YOUR DATES AND DESTINATIONS

there is entire drop down menu where you can pick your cruise line, port, dates, etc. Then it gives you an exact price you pay, then you call to book it. Very easy fast process!

View Quoted Comment Now that it’s been a few months, did you have to pay anything else other than the $200. My wife and I just got roped into this “deal” at a festival and are worried that if we cancel now, we will have to pay the $1100 that the trip would have cost?

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We called soon after we paid the $200 and asked them to remove us from everything. We haven't received anything from them since.

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So ultimately you were out the $200 in the end, right?

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Hey Brittany and Amelia,

I too just got roped in! I haven't booked the initial vacay yet - just paid the $200. Did anyone have to pay anything additional? It's been over the 10 days they said we had to cancel.

Devon

View Quoted Comment I didn’t realize we have a 10 day window to cancel! I’ll be calling tomorrow to ask about a refund - but I’m not confident I’ll get on. I image it’s a “no refunds” type of deal 😓

We just bought the $200 cruise and hotel deal and were told we would just have to pay port fees. I am still nervous because it seems too good to be true. Just do the hotel first sit through the timeshare presentation and then book a cruise.

We have done timeshare presentations in the past. For cruises, show tickets, vacation packages. First of all, NEVER ever buy anything! All timeshare packages are not worth it! The sales tactics are always the same. Don't believe a word they will tell you. Keep saying no to anything they offer. In the past we were always able to use the gifts that we were promised with no extra up charges. With Diamond Resorts it is a different story. There were only a very few cruises with no additional charges. We knew that port fees and govt fees would be on us. But literally every cruise we checked had a hefty up charge. Now, if you planned on going on a cruise anyways, it will save you some money for sure. But you will not get a free cruise like they initially promise. Also, their websites and search engines are horrendous to navigate which makes this process extremely time consuming.

We attended the presentation in Pigeon Forge. We stayed at the Sunrise Ridge Resort. The resort itself was very dated, but overall okay. It had an indoor and outdoor pool. Activities cost extra. We had a very spacious 2 bedroom condo with a mountain view. The presentation lasted exactly 2 hours. I set a timer. It started with a slide show, explaining how Diamond works. Of course, first Kevin was trying to connect with us, he was super friendly, trying to connect, and acted as if we were buddies. During his slide show he compared apples with oranges, used very dated sales tactics, so predictable and tried to win us over. To be fair, he wasn't very pushy and took no for an answer. We have had much more aggressive guys during other presentations. Kevin then took us to a show room and when we returned to the preview center the manager came to talk to us. We made it known that we had 0 interest in buying. I was surprised how easy he was on us. He left again after only 5 minutes. The last person we spoke to was our least favorite. She was annoying. I think it is always funny to watch how at first they are super friendly, but when they realize they won't make a sale they just walk away and try to put a guilt trip on you. Since, we have been through this "game" before we don't really care. Would I recommend Diamond? Heck no! The gifts aren't as great as they sound. We have had much better deals in the past at much nicer resorts. Again, if you are looking to cruise anyways, this is a way to get it at a discounted rate, but it will not be free! If it is your first time doing a timeshare presentation don't be alarmed if 3 or 4 different people will talk to you. That is their normal routine. Set a timer and collect your gifts after the time is up. Never ever feel like you have to purchase. Whatever they tell you - don't believe it! They want you to do a stimulus buy. Those people will try different tactics. Anything to get you to buy. They will try to play couples against each other. Be strong. Keep saying no. Oh, and don't explain to them why, because they will turn it into a debate and will argue with your reasons. Just say no, keep your poker face on and don't ask any question. It will prolong the presentation, because they take it as showing interest. Besides the 2 hours we had a great vacation in the Smokey Mountains.