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“Leave your old life behind!” boasts the marketing for Victoria Cruises Line, promoting itself as a pioneering budget-friendly life at sea.

Rooms typically go for US$3,840 monthly for a three-year voyage to 115 countries, and travellers from all over the world may taking the cruise as long as desired.

Among those interested, the pair from Perth, enthused about residential cruising, the advert on Facebook was ideally timed as they planned their retirement.

After three years, the vessel remains undeparted. In fact, they and other would-be cruise residents discovered that VCL does not even own or a leased vessel that is being advertised.

The Wawns represent numerous others who have been waiting for repayment from the company.

Other would-be residents stated they got rid of their houses, rehomed cats and stored their possessions. An individual noted she had to say goodbye to her dog, thinking she’d be away long-term.

A different pair have now had to move into aged care as a result of aging and failing health. They couldn’t undertake with the life-at-sea plan which may never happen.

“The people that put down a deposit for this cruise were sold a dream... and it has turned into nothing short of a nightmare,” said Adam Glezer, heading a consumer rights firm. “This company’s behavior is reprehensible.”

The customers involved have contacted the company, some have launched legal cases and many submitted official grievances to official bodies. A person contacted the FBI.

VCL told media that further bookings are necessary to secure a ship thus continuing marketing the cruise.

The company said bookers understood the terms during registration, and the company denies intentionally hurting customers, stating they counseled some clients not to sell homes to cover fees.

Numerous customers have given up hope of a departure, or receiving refunds.

‘All Above Board’

She stated back in May 2022, she and her husband began considering about their future and their potential lifestyle when they came across the life-at-sea option. The pair thought they researched thoroughly.

She mentioned there was a professional-looking site, they discussed with an agent “who answered all the questions”, and they joined a Facebook group made up of other cruise “residents”.

“Our research indicated it was trustworthy,” she noted.

Soon after, they submitted a payment around $10,000. The transaction was examined.

But weeks before the planned launch date, VCL postponed the scheduled departure date.

In an email viewed by reporters, they mentioned failing to achieve a roughly 80% occupancy - something the company said it needed for securing a boat.

With further postponements, they began questioning the situation.

A fellow booker reached out, saying: “I’ve dug a little bit further. Get out.”

‘Our Hope Persists’

Promotional materials described a fully-fledged cruise liner that could house 1,350 guests, including amenities like pools and restaurants.

“We do have a beautiful, seaworthy ship, the former Holland American Veendam, now the Majestic,” a representative stated on the company’s Facebook page.

Yet, findings showed that on being contacted by some would-be residents, the actual vessel owners refuted any relationship.

Despite not securing a vessel, marketing efforts persist and accepting customer funds until sufficient bookings are made.

“If we had signed the lease agreement in 2024, we would have had to pay around $18 million without cause,” VCL said in an email.

They admitted over 130 withdrawals, and said it investigated 38 complaints, but none warranted repayment.

The company rejected the term “victims”, explaining that several individuals seeking returns refuse to acknowledge their ineligibility.

They further stated refunds were held for procedural causes, inaccurate banking information, failure to return termination administration agreements within deadlines, and security verifications.

The latest scheduled voyage to depart on 26 July 2025, stated online. But once again it failed to set sail.

“Although delayed, we are heartened due to renewed customer interest lately – demonstrating that hope remains,” according to their online statement.

‘The Situation Deteriorated’

Graham Whittaker, a former journalist estimates that VCL has taken money that goes into the millions.

“The situation worsened as we discovered numerous additional individuals without refunds, seeking their funds, subjected to falsehoods,” he explained.

As customers insisted more - questioning refund status, and talking to the media about the case - they were threatened with legal action. Numerous threats were documented.

“Harassment is becoming severe for certain individuals,” he mentioned.

VCL explained the lawsuit warnings through statements.

“Yes, we will take legal action targeting individuals discussing grievances on social media,” it said.

The Paperwork

Corporate filings inspected indicate multiple fictitious entities registered to the same address in Budapest,, with some no longer operating.

The firm is registered in Florence, Italy,, however as a wholesale specialist of food, beverages and tobacco.

Viktória Takács-Ollram in Hungary appears as the creator, and her mother is registered as the chief executive.

Another company is registered using the same address {to Viktória’s son, Marcell Herold,|under Marcell