Couple Stuck in Istanbul Hotel After Canceled Three-Year Cruise Leaves Them Stranded
Couple Stuck in Istanbul – A couple, Kara and Joe Youssef, who invested their life savings in a three-year cruise experience, now find themselves stuck in a hotel room in Istanbul, Turkey, for over a month. The dream they sold everything for has turned into a nightmare as the cruise they planned to embark on was canceled abruptly.
“Hamne apna sab kuch is sapne ko poora karne ke liye bech diya tha,” said Kara Youssef, expressing their frustration to The New York Times. “Hum bilkul haar man chuke hain.”
This high-seas dream was supposed to be aboard the Life at Sea cruise, an ambitious voyage promised to cover 140 countries and 382 ports. The Couple Stuck in Istanbul sold their two apartments, used their life savings, and disposed of most of their possessions to fund this venture.
Expected to depart from Istanbul on November 1, the cruise’s dates were postponed multiple times. The departure port shifted from Istanbul to Amsterdam, and the final cancellation came just before the planned November 30 departure.
“We were strung along till the last minute,” Kara shared, echoing the sentiments of several other disappointed passengers.
The company, Miray Cruises, initially promised alternatives or expedited refunds if they failed to set sail by December 1. However, passengers, including the Youssefs, are still awaiting refunds, feeling uncertain about the company’s future.
“I have received nothing yet, but I did not expect to,” said Mary Rader, a retired social worker from New York who took $80,000 out of her retirement savings for this cruise. “My guess is that the company will be shut down or restructured.”
The Life at Sea website, which initially mentioned a voyage in fall 2023, now displays a departure date in November 2024, causing confusion among potential passengers. Some compare this cruise debacle to the Fyre Festival, citing unmet promises and overhyped expectations.
With conflicts between investors, lack of passenger interest, and internal disputes between Miray and key stakeholders, the future of this ambitious cruise remains uncertain. The company’s owner, Vedat Ugurlu, admitted their inability to secure enough investors and sell cabins for the voyage.
Despite the continued advertisement on the website, it’s unclear whether Miray intends to proceed with the voyage, leaving hopeful passengers in limbo.
The Youssefs and many others now fear homelessness as they wait for refunds and clarity on the fate of their once-in-a-lifetime cruise dream.
Stay tuned for further updates as the story unfolds.
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