World cruises that have not yet started voyage

“Throw the current lifestyle out of the stomach!” Boasts an advertisement from the VCL (Victoria Cruises Line), which is charged with the world’s first low residential cruise.

Cabin generally spends $ 3,840 per month (2,858 pounds) a month that sails for three years in 115 countries, and travelers around the world can go as much as they want.

Facebook’s commercials excited about Perth Australia and Taryna Wawn’s prospects in the sea were not able to come in a better time when planning to retire.

Three years later, the ship has not yet sailed. In fact, they and other cruise residents found that VCL did not own or rent a vessel in advertising.

The BBC has only two of dozens of people waiting for VCL to refund the deposit.

Other residents said they sold their homes to the BBC, cut their cats, and put their belongings in storage. One woman believed that she would disappear for several years and said she had a sick dog.

Other couples now have to move to the retirement community because of their aging age and health failure. They could not concentrate on residential cruises that could no longer sail.

Adam Glezer, who runs a consumer advocacy company, said, “People who have deposited this cruise have sold their dreams and have not changed their nightmares.” “VCL’s work is disgusting.”

The influenced people contacted the company, some started legal events, and others filed consumer complaints to government agencies. One person also wrote in the FBI.

VCL said that the BBC still continues to advertise cruises that more customers need more customers before the ship is tank.

The company knew the conditions of occupancy when booking, and the company rejected someone or harmed, and some customers advised not to pay deposits.

Many people who joined gave up their hopes for their ships or returning money.

Taryna, 64, said in May 2022 that she and Dennis began to think about the future and the residential cruise. The couple think they have done live action.

Tarena was well built, had a detailed website, talked to a man of the company who answered all questions, and joined the Facebook group consisting of another cruise “Resident”.

“We had a little check, and I thought it was on the board,” she said.

In a month, they took the steps to pay $ 10,000 (£ 7,450). Their bank transfer was observed by the BBC.

However, a few weeks before the voyage began in May 2023, VCL delayed the scheduled departure date.

The VCL said the BBC did not reach an 80%occupancy in the e -mail.

When the VCL was delayed twice, the couple began to think that something happened.

Then the colleague contacted the residents and said, “I dug a little more. Go out.”

VCL’s marketing promised a full -fledged cruise liner that can accommodate 1,350 guests along with a swimming pool, tennis court and Italian restaurant.

VCL’s US representative wrote on the company’s Facebook page, “We have a beautiful and sailing vessel for all Holland American VEENDAM.”

But when the BBC contacted some residents, the company that owned a ship refused to have a relationship with the VCL.

The company has not yet rented a ship, but said it continued to advertise cruises and collect deposits to reach the necessary market share.

VCL told the BBC by email, “If I signed a lease in early 2024, I would have to pay about $ 18 million.”

He also admitted that there were 132 cancellations, and he investigated 38 complaints, but he said he did not justify the refund.

VCL also denied that there was a victim, and 38 customers who requested a refund could not admit that they were not qualified.

The company added that refunds were suspended due to administrative reasons, bank details, or incorrect bank details, and termination of termination management contracts within the deadline.

According to the website, the cruise of the VCL will be left on July 26, 2025. But once again, I could not set the sailing.

VCL’s website said, “Despite the delay, we have been encouraged by the influx of new interests in recent weeks.

GRAHAM WHITTAKER, a former reporter headquartered in Australia, estimates that VCL has taken millions of money.

“It’s dirty because we started looking for scores and started scoring people who were not refunded, people who returned money, and more people who lied,” Whittaker said.

When the passengers were pushed harder (ask about a refund and talked with the media about the case, they were threatened by legal measures, and the BBC saw dozens of emails.

“Threats and harassment are getting serious for some people,” said Whittaker.

VCL justified the threat of legal measures by email to the BBC.

“Yes, we will take legal action against those who want to solve dissatisfaction with social media.”

The company’s record reviewed by the BBC shows the shell business web registered at the same address in Budapest. Some are no longer a deal.

The company is also registered in Florence, Italy, but is registered as a professional wholesaler of food, drinks and tobacco.

In Hungary, Viktória Takács-Ollram was registered as the founder, and the 79-year-old mother was registered as the chief executive.

Another company is registered as the same address as Marcel Herold, the son of Viktória, who was named VCL vice president on the website.

In Hungary, VCL was registered as a different name as an accounting and tax advisor in 2017.

This was changed to VCL in 2022 and added “auxiliary assistance to aqueous transportation” and “lease of water transportation equipment.”

New activities were added in 2023: “Car Rental”, “Loan of other machines and equipment”.

As of January 1, 2025, the main activity is listed as “passenger transport by sea”.

Tax declarations represent more than $ 253,000 for unpaid taxes.

One couple obtained the case in Hungary and reversed the VCL’s contract change, but when the VCL moved the base to Italy, the execution was suspended.

The VCL has changed its contract after the customer signed the BBC and admitted that the new terms will be retroactively.

VCL said, “When writing a contract, the lawyer tries to include everything, but sometimes life must be life and the contract must be modified, which is what happened in this case.

“These contracts work in this way in all shipping companies.”

The other couples complained in the United States, and according to the survey, the anchor was not booked on the departure date.

Also, people who want to hire employees on the website have found that they did not plan to attend the cruise and have received an employment proposal.

According to the investigation, the US representative of VCL recommended people to join cruises.

According to the survey, she truly believed that residential cruises would navigate, but agreed to sign a compliance order that prohibits the promotion of such travel services in the future.

Despite all this, the VCL continues to advertise cruises in Facebook and Instagram.

The platform’s account shows a glossy brochure of ship decks, menus and cabin.

The new “Resident” poses on board. Many people can actually use it on the Internet.

To encourage long stays, Cruise Company offers heavy discounts, flash sales and cashback systems.

The victims repeatedly report advertisements, but META, who owns Facebook and Instagram, did not withdraw.

“It is repeated that these platforms allow advertising for VCL despite significant evidence,” said ADAM GLEZER, a consumer champion.

In the statement, META said in the BBC that advertisements were strictly banned from advertisements, including frauds, or misunderstandings, but no evidence was found that the page violated the policy.

VCL denied that he was cheating, and those who were affected said they could not accept that they were not eligible for refunds.

“Our company has never disappeared and responded to all emails, so we are not a phantom company.”

TaryNA said the idea of ​​cruises is not true. Some people who joined the VCL cruise said they are currently traveling around the world with other cruise liners.

But for her and Dennis, riding another cruise is no longer what they can.

“It was a dream for us, and we were focusing with a really lovely adventure. I was traumatic.”

Additional Report from Orsolya Polyacsko