What was billed as a dream life at sea has turned into a nightmare for dozens of would-be passengers who signed up for Victoria Cruises Line (VCL), a company that promised the world’s first affordable residential cruise.
VCL’s advertisements urged travellers to “throw your current lifestyle overboard,” offering long-term voyages to 115 countries for around US$3,840 (£2,858) a month. The company promoted a luxury experience aboard a vessel equipped with pools, restaurants, and tennis courts — an enticing prospect for retirees like Dennis and Taryna Wawn from Perth, Australia, who hoped to spend their retirement years cruising the world.
But three years after they paid a US$10,000 (£7,450) deposit, the ship has yet to leave port — and, as the BBC has revealed, VCL does not even own or lease the vessel it advertised.
The Wawns are among dozens of customers worldwide waiting for refunds. Some sold their homes and rehomed pets in preparation for the three-year voyage. One woman told the BBC she even put down her sick dog, believing she would be gone for years. Others have been forced to move into retirement communities after years of uncertainty.
Consumer advocate Adam Glezer condemned the company’s actions, saying, “People who put down deposits for this cruise were sold a dream — and it has turned into nothing short of a nightmare.”
VCL told the BBC it still intends to launch the cruise once it reaches about 80% occupancy, which it claims is needed to charter a ship. The company continues to advertise the voyage and insists that customers were informed of this requirement when booking. It also denied misleading customers or urging them to sell their homes.
However, the BBC found that the ship promoted by VCL — the former Holland America Veendam, renamed Majestic — is not linked to the company. The vessel’s owner confirmed it has no association with VCL.
Emails seen by the BBC show that VCL postponed its planned departure three times, most recently from July 2025. The company said it has had 132 cancellations and investigated 38 refund requests but found none warranted reimbursement. It cited “administrative issues” and missing documents as reasons for withholding refunds.
VCL maintains that its vision remains alive. “Despite the delay, we’ve been encouraged by a surprising influx of new interest in recent weeks,” its website states. But for many of those who once dreamed of a life at sea, hope has long since sunk.
