They paid thousands for a cruise that hasn't sailed. Now they can't get their money back

BBC ^ | October 3, 2025 | Suranjana Tewari

[Allegra]

One woman said she had put down her sick dog, believing she would be gone for years.

Sheesh. That’s just heartbreaking. Poor dog. :(

[metmom]

VCL told the BBC that it still needs more customers before a vessel can be chartered and so is continuing to advertise the cruise.

Yeah, right. More suckers.

Like who would trust them at this point?

[Bobbyvotes]

For $3840/month anyone can book 30 days of cruises on reputable cruise companies.

[PAR35]

From the web site things that are perhaps intentionally obtuse or just poor editing of the English version:

“40% OFF lease of more than 37 months: -40% discount on the monthly rentsecond night say”

I can’t even figure out what they are trying to make me think they are saying with that.

“Stateroom area 226 sp ft” Intentional, or did no one ever tell them to mind their Ps and Qs?

https://victoria.cruises/blog/know-what-to-expect-on-your-dream-journey-aboard-the-vcl.php#:~:text=Victoria%20Cruises%20Line%20is%20a%20luxury%20residential%20ship,beautiful%20destinations%20without%20ever%20leaving%20your%20comfortable%20home

[tired&retired]

Upon signing your contract, you will be required to pay a deposit that varies between $10,000 and $30,000, depending on the cabin type. Afterward, rent is due monthly.

[Night Hides Not]

LOL, I’m “pre-approved” for over $100K in personal loans each and every week. All I have to do is respond to them over the phone to “clear up a few details.”

I’m pretty sure that one of those details is my bank account number. That is just not happening.

[BluH2o]

If it sounds too good to be true ... it has a very high likelihood that it’s a scam. Especially when they want the money upfront ...

[Mean Daddy]

The ship & cruise line my wife and I honeymooned on back in 1991 went bankrupt. We had no issues but a couple years later their cooling system went out, major issues with plumbing where they brought dozens of port a potties on board only to go into receivership in South America where all the passengers had to find their own way home.