Diamond Holiday ripoff Tampa Florida

I just want to let everyone know that the Diamond Holiday Travel being talked about here is not the same Diamond Holiday Travel with corporate office in Hong Kong and have not officially launched to the public as of today april 3, 2010.

I wish the new Diamond Holiday Travel would change their name so they don't get confused with this old company.

Like many, I thought this trip was too good to be true, but my boyfriend and I had never been to a tropical island, so of course we were suckered into this so-called free trip. Unknowningly, my boyfriend had entered a drawing through a Chinese restaurant and was notified by phone that he had won a 4 day/ 3 night trip to the Bahamas.

First, we had to pay to reserve the trip itself, then came port fees, taxes, and other miscellaneous expenses. It was recommended that we upgrade to a hotel located next to the beach (Island Seas Resort) because it was going to cost $25 one way by taxi to get to the beach if we had stayed at the free hotel (Xanadu), when in reality, it only costs (~$10). In making the final payment, Diamond Holiday required a check payment via phone. My boyfriend had requested the funds be taken out after he got paid, which was agreed upon through the Diamond Holiday agent. Of course, they withdrew the funds early resulting in the bank charging for insufficient funds. He called Diamond Holiday and complained, but nothing was done. At this point, we were already fully committed.

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale to catch the mini-moneygrubbing Discovery Cruise Line boat. This 4 to 5 hour boat trip was nothing but an expensive drink pushing ride with mediocre food and a micro pool that wasn't even filled. We went to the Grand Bahamas island, which is the crappier island. At the Island Seas Resort, we were sent to a room that was already occupied by other guests and then the room we did get had a bedroom balcony view of a junkyard.

Solidifying our conclusion of this trip, we had run into other travelers, who were also unfortunate suckers winning through mall or Chinese restaurant drawings. In essence, you are better off arranging your own trip!

HI. I just got a phone call today saying that I won a cruise with Diamond Holiday for four days and three nights. I was really excited and I was thinking it was too good to be true so i was doing some research and came across this site. I noticed that everyone else affected was affected last year and years ago.

I being one more recently have the added comfort of knowing what you all do. I really wish I couldve won a free trip to the bahamas! Thanks though for helping me not to get screwed over. Everyone be careful. Stop while your ahead. Look for cheaper tickets.
Thanks

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS INFO OUT ON DIAMOND HOLIDAY BECAUSE I JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THEM STATING I HAD WON A BAHAMAS CRUISE. I WAS SO INTERESTED AND WAS GONNA CALL THEM BACK TO FIND OUT THE DETAILS UNTIL I READ THIS INFO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH

Hello I have an aunt that just paid for this so called trip then a few days later My sister called me wanting me to look around internet about it and I already knew it was a rip of just instict. But they both filled out the form at the same place with the same company called (Diamond holiday) and told them they had won. I know for a fact the box is still there. They put in in a citgo gas station. all who "try to win" wins. Do not give them any money I have printed this info out that others had left to give to my aunt before she gets in any deaper. Thanks

First off, I apologize for giving incorrect contact information.. I just choose to remain annoynymous. HOWEVER, I would like to say thank you for putting this scam out on the net and making people aware. A few months ago a friend of mine had "won" a trip to the Bahamas from Diamond Holiday and was short on money so she couldn't afford to pay the initial fee.. causing her to "lose" the vacation. So, being somewhat jealous of her "luck" and then not passing the trip on to someone who could afford the "registration fee" (me), I also entered to "win a cruise for 2 to the Bahamas" a few weeks ago (at the same place that she did), and recieved a voicemail today saying that I had "won."

I already thought it was a little weird that I had "won" just a few months after my friend had.. the odds of that are pretty rare. Plus, the message and the information they left seemed pretty sketchy, so I decided to do a little research before I called them to confirm. Thank God I ran into this site before I called back. Thank you so much for warning others about this scam! If I didn't run into this site, I would have been screwed over big time.

I also "won" a trip from Diamond Travel and immediately thought it had to be a scam. Well, it is misleading but not sure if it is a scam. I haven't went yet but it sounds pretty nice.

When you call to verify the trip there is a recorded message that states there is a $77.50/person "application fee", a $99/person "port tax", approximately $30/person for a "departure fee" and then taxes for the room. My cruise was 4 days/3 nights which probably explains the difference in some of the fees.

As far as the rooms go, it does look like these are your 2-star types. You do have the option to upgrade and I know the prices can vary based on availability.

Now, the ship is also a little smaller than the BIG boys - the cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale and is about 6 hours long, it has all the amenities of a big ship without all the rooms.

Although the cruise is not free... it is inexpensive. I estimate about $500-$600 for 4 days/3 nights for a cruise to the Bahamas, pluse your spending money. Can you really beat that???