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“Throw your current lifestyle overboard!” advertises this marketing for VCL, marketed as a pioneering budget-friendly life at sea.

Cabins typically go for $3,840 USD monthly for a three-year voyage visiting 115 nations, with passengers from all over the world can choose to taking the cruise for as long as they like.

In the case of Australian residents, Dennis and Taryna Wawn, enthused about residential cruising, the advert on Facebook was ideally timed while arranging their post-work life.

After three years, the cruise hasn’t launched. Actually, they and other would-be cruise residents learned that there is no owned or leased ship or an agreement for the boat that is being advertised.

The Wawns are among many individuals who are still awaiting for VCL to refund their deposits.

Other would-be residents told reporters they sold their homes, found new homes for pets placing items in storage. A female customer said she had put down her sick dog, assuming a lengthy absence.

A different pair were forced to relocate to a senior living facility as a result of aging and health issues. They couldn’t undertake with the life-at-sea plan with an uncertain future.

Those who paid deposits were promised an ideal... transforming into an absolute disaster,” commented a consumer advocate, operating a customer protection business. “This company’s behavior is reprehensible.”

The customers involved approached VCL, others started lawsuits plus regulatory complaints with authorities. Including an appeal to federal investigators.

The company stated that further bookings are necessary prior to leasing a boat thus continuing marketing the voyage.

Representatives noted bookers understood the terms upon signing up, with denials of mistreating individuals, stating they counseled against property sales to pay deposits.

A significant number of registrants have lost faith of a departure, or repayment.

‘All Above Board’

She stated during that period, she and her husband began considering regarding their retirement and future possibilities when they came across the residential cruise. They believe they researched thoroughly.

Taryna said there was a professional-looking site, they also spoke to a man from the company “addressing all concerns”, and entered a social media group of other interested parties.

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

In under 30 days, they took the step of paying a deposit around $10,000. Their payment was examined.

But weeks before their scheduled May 2023 departure, the trip was rescheduled.

In an email viewed by reporters, the company stated insufficient bookings an 80% passenger rate - a prerequisite they cited for securing a boat.

When VCL postponed twice more, the pair grew suspicious.

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

‘Our Shared Dream Is Very Much Alive’

Promotional materials described a fully-fledged cruise liner accommodating over a thousand passengers, featuring pools, sports facilities and dining.

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

But investigators learned after customers made inquiries, the shipping company refuted any relationship.

Without a leased boat, the company said it has continued to advertise the cruise and collect deposits until sufficient bookings are made.

“Signing the ship contract at the beginning of 2024, we would have had to pay approximately USD 18 million for nothing,” the company stated.

They admitted there had been 132 cancellations, with 38 complaints examined, without approving any refunds.

The company rejected the term “victims”, explaining that several individuals who asked for refunds refuse to acknowledge their ineligibility.

They further stated the refunds were withheld for administrative reasons, inaccurate banking information, unreturned termination forms, and compliance reviews.

The most recent planned departure to depart on 26 July 2025, as per their site. Yet again, it didn’t launch.

“Even with postponement, we’re optimistic by a surprising influx of new interest over recent weeks – indicating that the collective vision persists,” states the company’s site.

‘It Got Dirty’

Graham Whittaker, previously a reporter estimates that the company has collected funds totaling millions.

“The situation worsened as we discovered many more affected persons who had never been refunded, seeking their funds, subjected to falsehoods,” Whittaker said.

When passengers pushed harder - questioning refund status, and talking to the media about the case - they received legal threats. Many such messages exist.

“The threats and the harassments are getting serious for some,” he noted.

VCL justified the threat of legal action in correspondence.

“Certainly, we will pursue legal measures against anyone who tries to settle their complaint online,” the company commented.

Documentary Evidence

Company records reviewed by investigators reveal a network of shell companies listed at one Budapest location,, with some no longer operating.

The company is also registered in Florence, Italy,, but categorized as a wholesaler dealing in consumables.

In Hungary, Takács-Ollram appears as the creator, with her elderly mother is registered as the chief executive.

An additional business is recorded using the same address {to Viktória’s son, Marcell Herold,|under Marcell