Passengers who sold their homes and paid hundreds of thousands for a three-year round-the-world cruise will have ‘nowhere to go’ after the company behind the trip abruptly cancelled.
Life at Sea Cruises customers saw their dream trip taken away less than two weeks before it was due to depart after failing to secure financing for a ship to take them.
The luxury cruise was originally scheduled to depart Istanbul on November 1, before the Amsterdam departure date was changed to November 30.
But after weeks of uncertainty, passengers who spent up to $360,000 to secure cabins have been told they will not leave because the company cannot afford to buy the promised boat.
Now irate customers who had already sold or shipped their belongings have been told they will only get their money back in monthly installments, CNN reports.
Cruise passengers signed up for a three-year world cruise are devastated after the company pulled the plug on the trip with less than two weeks to go
Life at Sea Cruises announced that the voyage would not go ahead because it could not obtain financing for a large enough ship
Customers had sold their homes and belongings in anticipation of the trip, with some making up to $360,000 in down payments
“There are a lot of people with nowhere to go right now, and some need their money to even plan a destination – it’s not good right now,” one passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told the channel.
Others spoke of feeling ‘betrayed’ after being promised ‘a three-year ultimate bucket list world cruise’.
“The company doesn’t seem concerned about what they’ve done to our lives,” said one passenger. “I never thought I would be in this position as a senior.”
Another added: ‘I’m in a state of disbelief that they did this to us.
“I can’t even understand the disappointment of missing this opportunity.
“I don’t think they’ll ever understand how much damage they’ve done to us.”
More than 110 people had registered for the trip and were only told on November 17 that it would not take place.
Former Life at Sea CEO Kendra Holmes told the 111 customers that the trip had been canceled and that any customers who had sent their belongings ahead should make sure they returned.
She resigned just days before making the announcement.
Vedat Ugurlu, the owner of Miray Cruises, which owns Life at Sea, sent a similar message two days later, saying he is “extremely sorry for the inconvenience.”
The cruise was due to depart from Amsterdam on November 30 after weeks of confusion
On November 17, passengers were told their dream trip had been canceled after the MV Lara, the proposed ship for the trip, was purchased by a rival company.
“Miray is not such a big company that can afford to pay 40 to 50 million euros for a ship,” he said, before claiming that unrest in the Middle East meant its investors “refused to support us further ‘.
The trip collapsed after the company failed to secure financing for the MV Lara, the proposed ship for the trip, and customers were initially told there were only delays in sales.
The chic 666-foot liner features 627 cabins with space for up to 1,266 passengers.
Future cruisers were promised “spacious living spaces and modern amenities, redesigned specifically for extended stays and a luxurious feel.”
The ship features a bar, restaurants, spa, gym, sundeck and swimming pool. The advertised activities include dancing, karaoke, yoga and golf.
However, on November 16, it emerged that the Greek company Celestyal Cruises had taken over the ship to add it to its own fleet.
Life at Sea had previously proposed another Miray ship, the MV Gemini, but found it too small.
“If we are unable to sail on December 1, we will offer to sail on another departure date or refund all payments within a short time frame,” Ugurlu wrote in an email to customers.
‘We have done everything we can to make your dreams come true and will continue to do so.’
Passengers were promised the ‘adventure of a lifetime’ on board the MV Lara as it traveled through 140 countries in 10,095 days
The chic 666-foot liner features 627 cabins with space for up to 1,266 passengers, with Life at Sea aiming for an occupancy rate of 80 percent
He added that in theory the MV Gemini could still be used, but said: “We choose not to because we promised you a bigger, newer ship.
MV Gemini is at the center of a defamation action after former Life at Sea Cruises director Mikael Petterson allegedly called the 30-year-old ship ‘unseaworthy’, which Miray denies.
In a statement to CNN, Urgu said: “While we are in discussions to acquire a similar vessel, we are offering alternative departure dates or accelerated refunds if the December 1 sailing is in jeopardy,” the statement said. refund process.
“As we navigate these challenges, we are actively working to create alternative plans for the future, ensuring an unforgettable experience for our valued community.”
Since news of the trip’s failure, both Holmes and Petterson have joined separate cruise lines offering similar deals.
Holmes is now CEO of HLC Cruises, which offers boutique cruises with duty-free shopping on board for the “best in gold, diamonds and luxury goods.”
The company said that if between 60 and 70 Life at Sea customers switched to them, they would be able to “get something going.”
A total of 111 customers had registered for the trip before it was abruptly cancelled
Passengers who sent belongings ahead have been told they will be returned to them
It planned to purchase a boat for a few months before upgrading to a larger vessel.
However, within 72 hours of submitting the offer, Holmes withdrew the temporary offer, stating that the company will wait until it can secure a permanent vessel.
Meanwhile, Petterson and several other former Life at Sea employees are offering low introductory rates to anyone willing to make the switch and join their new venture, Villa Vie Residences. Neither company has concrete exit plans yet.
At the time of publication, Life at Sea Cruises was still counting down its departure, promising to take passengers to 382 ports in 140 countries over 1,095 days.
Potential customers were still given the option to reserve cabins via an online form.