(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sun 5th Oct, 2025) London, UK —
Pioneering Sea-Based Living Fails to Launch: Hundreds Demand Refunds from VCL
“Ditch Your Current Life for a Sea-Based Home!” proclaims the advertisement from Victoria Cruises Line (VCL), which positions itself as the pioneer of affordable living at sea.
The offer entails cabins priced at approximately £2,858 monthly for an extensive three-year journey across 115 countries, catering to globetrotters who desire an indefinite exploration of the seas.
Perth residents, Dennis and Taryna Wawn, enticed by the concept of a maritime residence, stumbled upon this opportunity on Facebook just as they were mapping out their retirement plans.
However, three years on, their anticipated voyage remains docked. The Wawns, along with numerous other prospective residents, have encountered a stark reality: VCL has neither possession nor lease of the advertised ship.
The Wawns represent a fraction of the individuals awaiting deposit refunds from VCL, as discovered by the Reporters.
Several other hopeful residents have made significant life alterations, including selling properties, rehousing pets, and placing personal effects into storage. One individual even made the heart-wrenching decision to euthanise a beloved pet in anticipation of a prolonged absence.
One couple, due to escalating health concerns and age, found themselves relocating to a retirement facility, abandoning the dream of a cruise that shows no signs of setting sail.
Adam Glezer, leading a consumer rights organisation, comments, “The individuals who invested in this dream have instead been plunged into a nightmare… VCL's actions are reprehensible.”
Affected parties have pursued various recourse measures including legal actions, consumer complaints to regulatory bodies, and even reaching out to the FBI.
VCL remains adamant that securing sufficient clientele is prerequisite to chartering the vessel, continuing its promotion of the voyage.
The company insists that clients were informed of this occupancy prerequisite upon booking and refutes any accusations of exploitation.
Many disillusioned customers have abandoned hope of the cruise's realisation or recovering their investments.
Taryna, aged 64, revealed they exercised due diligence before committing to the cruise, influenced by a professionally crafted website and comprehensive responses from a company representative. “We did our homework, believing everything was legitimate,” she stated.
A £7,450 deposit was soon transferred to VCL, a transaction verified by the Reporters.
Yet, just weeks before the May 2023 departure, the launch was deferred by VCL, citing insufficient occupancy.
Subsequent postponements heightened the couple's suspicions, culminating in a cautionary message from a fellow would-be traveller.
VCL had initially promised a lavish cruise liner, equipped to accommodate 1,350 guests, complete with leisure facilities and an Italian restaurant.
However, inquiries by potential residents revealed that the actual ship owners had no association with VCL.
Despite the absence of a leased ship, VCL has pressed on with advertising and collecting deposits to achieve the needed occupancy figures.
VCL's correspondence with the Reporters defended the continued accumulation of deposits, highlighting financial prudence as the rationale behind not promptly leasing a ship.
Acknowledging 132 cancellations, VCL contested the refund eligibility of 38 complaint filers.
The company cited several reasons for withholding refunds, including administrative protocols and anti-money laundering measures.
VCL's latest departure date was set for 26 July 2025, a launch that again did not materialise. Nonetheless, the company's website signals a renewed surge of interest, stating, “Our collective dream thrives on.”
Graham Whittaker, a former journalist from Australia, estimates VCL's collected funds to tally into millions.
The ordeal has escalated to confrontations, with passengers facing threats of legal action for publicly voicing their grievances, a stance confirmed by VCL in communications with the Reporters.
Investigation into the company's background reveals a complex network of entities tied to a single Budapest address, with some now defunct.
Although VCL operates from Italy with a primary focus on food, beverage, and tobacco wholesaling, its legal registrations in Hungary sketch a convoluted corporate landscape intertwined with the personal and professional domains of its founders.
Despite multiple alterations to its business registration, reflecting varied operational domains, VCL has incurred substantial tax liabilities.
Efforts by a couple to legally challenge VCL's contractual adjustments in Hungary faltered as the company relocated to Italy.
VCL, in its defence, maintained that contract amendments are standard across the industry, necessitated by unforeseen circumstances.
This narrative underscores the turmoil faced by numerous individuals, entrapped by a vision of life at sea that remains stubbornly anchored to unmet promises and legal complexities.
This News Story is brought to you by QLM Business News, your Digital Media Channel.
Visit QLM businessnews.com for more business news stories. Also follow us on Facebook, X, and Youtube.
To help QLM Business News bring you more news stories like this, please like, share, and subscribe.
Unlock unparalleled business growth and effortlessly attract a stream of new customers through QLM Business News Sponsored Advertising. Elevate your brand's presence and captivate your target audience with precision. Visit QLMbusinessnews.com and click on “Advertise” to harness the power of strategic advertising. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to propel your business to new heights of success!
Disclaimer: All images presented herein are intended solely for illustrative purposes and may not accurately depict the true likeness of the subjects, objects, or individuals referenced in the accompanying news stories.
