Global Dream Cruise Turns Sour: Australians Among Victims Of Victoria Cruises Line’s Unsailed Voyage

Published on October 5, 2025

Across nan globe, countless travelers person been drawn to nan committedness of luxury surviving astatine sea, a manner wherever nan sky changes daily. The Victoria Cruises Line (VCL) emerged arsenic a beacon of this dream, trading itself arsenic nan world’s first affordable residential cruise. With promotional offers featuring semipermanent voyages crossed 115 countries, nan company’s advertisements connected social media promised freedom, comfort, and escapade — each for a value that seemed attainable.

Cabins aboard nan projected vessel were marketed for astir US$3,840 (£2,858) per month, inviting travelers to embark connected a three-year world journey. The conception captivated many, including Australians Dennis and Taryna Wawn from Perth, who envisioned a tranquil status connected nan ocean. The thought of a location that sailed from larboard to port, spanning continents, seemed to harvester some recreation and security. However, years aft paying their US$10,000 (£7,450) deposit, nan couple, on pinch dozens of others, recovered themselves stranded successful a nightmare — nan cruise had not yet group sail, nor did it look apt to ever do so.

The Rise of nan Floating Dream

When Dennis and Taryna came crossed nan company’s advertisements successful 2022, nan status voyage appeared legitimate. The institution maintained a master website, an progressive Facebook community, and representatives who provided elaborate answers to imaginable customers’ questions. The mates performed what they believed to beryllium owed diligence, reassured by nan quality of transparency and professionalism.

Within weeks, nan Wawns transferred their deposit, hopeful for nan escapade ahead. However, arsenic departure dates were many times postponed, doubts began to switch optimism. Initially scheduled to sail successful May 2023, nan voyage was delayed aggregate times nether nan justification that nan cruise had not reached nan 80% occupancy threshold required to lease a vessel.

Broken Promises and Endless Delays

The cruise statement continued to guarantee passengers that nan voyage was still connected course. Its website displayed integer mock-ups of a luxury liner named Majestic, formerly nan Holland America Veendam, boasting of tennis courts, pools, and world restaurants. Yet, upon investigation, it became clear that VCL did not ain aliases lease nan ship, and nan existent owners of nan alloy denied immoderate affiliation pinch nan company.

In a connection to nan media, nan cruise statement defended its delays, asserting that premature leasing would person costs astir US$18 million without capable passengers. Despite ongoing complaints, it insisted that refunds were unjustified, attributing nan deficiency of reimbursement to administrative errors, incorrect slope details, aliases anti-money laundering checks.

The Human Cost of an Unrealized Voyage

Behind nan figures and general statements lies a heavy quality toll. Several would-be passengers had sold their homes, placed their belongings successful storage, and made life-altering decisions successful anticipation of years astatine sea. One female moreover euthanized her ailing pet, believing she would not return for respective years.

For nan Wawns, and galore for illustration them, nan affectional and financial consequences person been profound. The dream of a retirement astatine sea has turned into affectional distress and uncertainty. Others, precocious successful property and declining successful health, person had to wantonness their maritime aspirations altogether and relocate to retirement communities connected land.

Consumer advocator Adam Glezer, who represents respective of those affected, described nan business arsenic 1 of betrayal. He emphasized that participants were sold an illusion alternatively than an opportunity, labeling nan company’s behaviour arsenic profoundly unethical.

Legal Battles and Global Investigations

As vexation mounted, affected passengers sought justness done aggregate channels. Some revenge consumer complaints pinch governmental agencies, while others took ineligible action successful Hungary, wherever nan institution was primitively registered. However, enforcement of rulings proved difficult erstwhile VCL moved its guidelines of operations to Italy.

The Utah Department of Commerce successful nan United States besides investigated nan institution aft a mates revenge a complaint. Investigators discovered that nan cruise’s departure port, advertised connected nan website, had ne'er been booked. Further inquiries revealed that immoderate individuals showcased arsenic cruise unit connected nan company’s website were unaware of their expected employment. A compliance bid was issued against nan firm’s U.S. representative, prohibiting further promotion of specified recreation packages.

Despite mounting evidence, VCL continued to beforehand its cruise connected Facebook and Instagram, maintaining that it was still actively seeking caller participants.

Corporate Web and Questionable Operations

Documents reviewed by investigative journalists uncovered a web of shell companies tied to nan aforesaid Budapest address. Many of these entities were inactive aliases registered nether unrelated industries specified arsenic food and beverage wholesale and car rentals.

Official records successful Hungary showed that Viktória Takács-Ollram founded nan company, pinch her 79-year-old mother listed arsenic nan main executive. Another business astatine nan aforesaid reside was owned by Marcell Herold, identified arsenic VCL’s vice president connected its website. Tax records revealed complete US$253,000 successful unpaid taxes, adding to doubts astir nan company’s financial stability.

VCL later rebranded its main business activity arsenic passenger carrier by sea successful 2025, contempt lacking an operational vessel. It besides admitted to altering contracts aft customers had signed them, claiming specified changes were modular believe wrong nan maritime industry.

Rising Tensions and Online Harassment

The company’s connection pinch customers became progressively aggressive. As dissatisfied clients turned to nan media and societal networks, VCL reportedly threatened legal action against those speaking publicly. Multiple emails viewed by journalists confirmed these threats.

The institution defended its stance, insisting it would return ineligible steps against anyone attempting to resoluteness disputes done societal media discussions. This escalated tensions further, leaving customers emotion some powerless and intimidated.

Social Media’s Role and Responsibility

Despite galore reports, Meta, nan genitor institution of Facebook and Instagram, has not removed nan advertisements. The corp stated that nary clear grounds had been recovered of argumentation violations. Critics, however, reason that specified inaction enables misleading recreation promotions to scope unsuspecting users worldwide.

Consumer advocates person condemned nan persistence of VCL’s ads, emphasizing that nan usage of banal images and fabricated testimonials creates a vulnerable illusion of legitimacy.

The Lingering Aftermath

VCL’s astir caller scheduled departure, group for 26 July 2025, besides passed without immoderate voyage. Nevertheless, nan company’s website continues to advertise early departures, maintaining that increasing liking signifies that its imagination remains alive.

For those who invested their savings, nan ordeal has near some affectional scars and financial loss. The Australian couple, erstwhile excited astir a serene life astatine sea, now look nan harsh reality of depleted savings and fading dreams.

Although residential cruises do beryllium and run successfully nether different companies, this peculiar lawsuit has formed a protector complete nan concept. It serves arsenic a cautionary communicative for travelers drawn to nan allure of semipermanent voyages and oceanic lifestyles.

The communicative of Victoria Cruises Line stands arsenic a stark reminder that successful nan world of global recreation and tourism, moreover nan astir captivating dreams tin descend earlier they ever group sail.