Imagine a life sailing the globe, your home a state-of-the-art cruise ship visiting 115 countries over three years. This was the alluring promise of Victoria Cruises Line (VCL), marketed as the world’s first affordable residential cruise. For retirees like Dennis and Taryna Wawn from Perth, Australia, it seemed the perfect way to embrace their golden years. They sold their home, rehomed their pets, and packed their belongings, all in anticipation of the May 2023 departure.
However, three years later, the ship remains docked, and the dream has soured. VCL has repeatedly postponed the launch, citing a failure to reach the required 80% occupancy needed to charter a vessel. To many of the 132 customers who have cancelled, and the dozens who have sought refunds, the situation has become a distressing reality. “The people that put down a deposit for this cruise were sold a dream… and it has turned into nothing short of a nightmare,” says consumer advocate Adam Glezer. “What VCL has done is disgusting.” Many have resorted to legal action and filed complaints with consumer agencies, with some even reaching out to the FBI.
VCL maintains that the cruise is still on, needing only more customers to finalize the charter. They argue that customers were aware of the occupancy condition, and the company denies any wrongdoing, even stating they advised some clients against selling their homes to pay deposits. Yet, investigations have revealed a complex web of shell companies and unanswered questions, with the BBC discovering that the company doesn’t even own or lease the advertised ship. Despite the mounting evidence and a successful legal case in Hungary that was later stalled, VCL continues to advertise the cruise with glossy brochures and enticing offers, though many of the “residents” featured are reportedly stock images.
The situation has left many potential passengers feeling betrayed and financially distressed. Some have had to make difficult decisions due to age or health, while others have simply lost hope of ever seeing their invested money again. The promise of an adventurous retirement has transformed into a costly and emotionally draining ordeal.