Victoria Cruises Line: The “Affordable” Residential Cruise That Never Set Sail
“Throw your current lifestyle overboard!” — that was the bold promise made by Victoria Cruises Line (VCL), a company that marketed itself as the world’s first affordable residential cruise experience.
For thousands of hopeful travelers, the offer sounded like a dream come true: live at sea, explore 115 countries, and enjoy a life of leisure for just $3,840 (USD) a month — less than many city rents. But three years later, that dream has turned into heartbreak for many. The ship has never sailed, and VCL doesn’t even own or lease the vessel it promised.
A Retirement Dream That Turned Into a Nightmare
Dennis and Taryna Wawn, a retired couple from Perth, Australia, were among the many who fell in love with the idea of living on a cruise ship. When they stumbled upon the Facebook ad in 2022, the timing couldn’t have been better — they were planning their next chapter after retirement.
“We did our homework,” said Taryna, 64. “The website looked legitimate, we spoke with company representatives who answered all our questions, and we even joined a Facebook group with other residents.”
Convinced that everything was above board, the Wawns paid a deposit of $10,000 (USD) for a cabin on the three-year voyage scheduled to depart in May 2023. But as the departure date neared, VCL postponed the cruise — not once, but multiple times. The company claimed it hadn’t reached its required 80% occupancy to charter a vessel.
That’s when other would-be passengers started digging deeper, and what they found was deeply troubling.
Refunds Denied and Dreams Shattered
According to multiple passengers who spoke to the BBC, dozens of travelers have been waiting for refunds that never came. Some sold their homes, rehomed pets, and even put down sick animals thinking they’d be away for years. Others moved into retirement communities after realizing the cruise may never happen.
Consumer advocate Adam Glezer, who runs a consumer protection group, described the situation bluntly: “These people were sold a dream — and it turned into a nightmare. What VCL has done is disgusting.”
Many affected passengers have filed legal complaints, contacted consumer protection agencies, and even written to the FBI.
VCL’s Defense: “We’re Still Waiting for More Customers”
In a statement to the BBC, VCL denied wrongdoing and insisted that the cruise would still set sail — once enough customers sign up. The company said travelers were made aware that a certain occupancy level was required before chartering a ship.
It also claimed it warned some customers not to sell their homes to pay for deposits.
However, that explanation has done little to reassure those still waiting for their money. VCL acknowledged that 132 customers had canceled and 38 filed complaints, but said none were entitled to refunds. The company blamed “administrative errors,” “incomplete paperwork,” and “anti-money-laundering checks” for delays.
A Cruise That Exists Only Online
Despite not owning or leasing a ship, VCL continues to advertise its “global voyage” on its website and social media. Promotional materials boast of a luxury liner that can host 1,350 guests, complete with swimming pools, tennis courts, and fine dining restaurants.
But when would-be passengers contacted the company that actually owns the advertised ship — the former Holland America Veendam, now renamed Majestic — they were told that VCL has no connection to it.
VCL maintains that once it reaches its occupancy goal, it will charter a vessel. “Signing a lease early would have cost us $18 million for nothing,” the company said.
Its website, still active in 2025, states: “Despite the delay, we’ve been encouraged by a surprising influx of new interest — proof that our shared dream is still alive.”
Allegations of Deception and Threats
Australian journalist Graham Whittaker, who has investigated the company, estimates that VCL has collected millions in deposits. “It got dirty,” he said. “We started finding scores of people who hadn’t been refunded, were lied to, and were threatened with legal action when they spoke out.”
The BBC reviewed emails showing that VCL threatened legal action against dissatisfied customers who shared their experiences online. In response, VCL said it would “take legal action against anyone trying to settle their complaint via social media.”
A Tangle of Shell Companies and Shifting Addresses
Official records reviewed by the BBC show that VCL is registered under multiple shell companies in Budapest, Hungary, and Florence, Italy. The Hungarian registration dates back to 2017 — initially as an accounting firm, later rebranded in 2022 to include “waterborne transport services.”
The company lists Viktória Takács-Ollram as its founder, with her 79-year-old mother as CEO, and her son, Marcell Herold, as vice president. Tax filings show more than $250,000 in unpaid taxes.
After customers began demanding refunds, VCL reportedly changed the terms of its contracts — retroactively applying new rules that limited refund eligibility. In one Hungarian case, a court overturned the contract changes, but enforcement stalled when VCL moved operations to Italy.
Investigations Uncover More Red Flags
In the U.S., an investigation in Utah found that VCL had not booked the departure port it advertised. It also revealed that individuals listed as crew members on its website had never been offered jobs.
The company’s U.S. representative, who promoted the cruise, claimed she genuinely believed it would sail but has since agreed not to promote similar services again.
Social Media Ads Continue Despite Complaints
Even now, VCL’s Facebook and Instagram pages are filled with slick brochures, 3D ship renderings, and photos of smiling “residents” — many of which are stock images.
To attract new buyers, the company promotes flash sales, discounts, and cashback offers. Frustrated passengers have repeatedly reported the ads to Meta, but the platform says it found no violation of its advertising policies.
Consumer advocate Adam Glezer criticized Meta’s inaction: “It’s reprehensible that these platforms still allow such advertising. They should be held accountable.”
Meta responded that its policies prohibit deceptive ads but found “no evidence” that VCL’s page violated its guidelines.
A Fading Dream at Sea
VCL insists it is not running a scam. “Our company has never disappeared,” it said. “We respond to every email. We are not a phantom company.”
But for Dennis and Taryna Wawn, the experience has been devastating. “It was a dream for us — a once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” Taryna said. “Now, it’s been nothing short of traumatizing.”
While other companies are successfully offering legitimate residential cruises, the couple says they can no longer afford to take that chance again.
What began as a promise of freedom and adventure on the open sea has instead left many retirees and travelers stranded — not on a ship, but in a sea of broken promises.