Life at Sea Cruises has been grappling with a significant challenge. The company is slated to embark on a three-year, global cruise from Istanbul in November. However, the cruise ship for this extraordinary expedition hasn't been secured, despite the launch being just weeks away. Although Life at Sea remains firm that the schedule will not be disrupted, potential cruisers are growing increasingly worried.
One of the prospective passengers, who has already paid over $100,000 for the cruise and preferred to remain anonymous, expressed their unease regarding the situation. They fear the cancellation of the cruise and regret not trusting their instincts about the company.
Miray Cruises, Life at Sea's owner, planned to secure the ship intended for the cruise, rumored to be the MV Lara, by the end of September. A week has elapsed, yet they still do not have possession of the boat. A Miray spokesperson declared that the sale wasn't "finalized" when they were in Germany to receive the ship and added that the crew who had traveled to Germany would be returning next week.
The vessel in question is widely believed to be the AIDAAura, owned by AIDA Cruises, a German subsidiary of Carnival. According to the company's website, they were supposed to retire the ship after being in service for 20 years and completing over 800 voyages. If true, this wouldn't be the end for the AIDAAura, instead, a transformation from a regular cruise ship to a globe-trotting residence.
The journey to bring this concept to life has been anything but smooth for Life at Sea Cruises. They first came to public attention in March, offering a relatively affordable three-year cruise across 135 countries. However, just three months later, about half of the team resigned, leading to a lawsuit by Miray and causing considerable chaos.
Despite assurances from the company that everything was on track, the current state of affairs has left passengers in a state of speculation and frustration. Many passengers have paid in full for their cabins, and with communication from the company sporadic, some are fearing the worst.
Kendra Holmes, CEO of Miray, however, reassured that there is no delay in the itinerary. She further stated that the cabins that were already booked would undergo refurbishments first and the others after the cruise begins. Understandably, this approach may lead to noise and inconvenience for guests.
With the lack of communication and the increasing apprehension, some passengers are contemplating having a backup plan if things fall apart. They've invested a lot in this undertaking materially and emotionally. Several passengers even sold their homes and quit their jobs in anticipation.
For now, the future of Life at Sea Cruises remains in the hands of the company’s executives. As the launch date inches closer, guests are holding their breath in hope. That said, whether the ship will mark its maiden journey on November 1st is still a cliff-hanger for everyone involved.