Some passengers registered in online databases of Cunard cruise lines received a surprising email containing a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with the personal information of more than 1,200 other travelers, according to Cruise Critic. Cunard shut down their online booking system after becoming aware of the data breach.
The spreadsheet containing names, email addresses booking reference numbers of 1,225 passengers was sent to an undisclosed number of registered users in the cruise line's online system. Although a Cunard spokeswoman told Cruise Critic that passport numbers were not included in the spreadsheet, the information could theoretically be accessed on the company's website using the leaked information.
News outlets - and possibly Cunard itself - became aware of the breach when a message board user on the Cruise Critic website posted an announcement that he had received the spreadsheet. The user, davyjones, claimed that his personal information was included in the list and that Cunard later sent him an email asking to disregard the prior message containing the spreadsheet.
Cunard later confirmed to Cruise Critic that the email was sent and that the system had been closed down. Cruise Critic also reported that the cruise line was in the process of re-issuing log-in details to the affected guests.
