LELAND, NC (WWAY) — It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime: a three-year cruise around the world.
But for former Leland resident Shireen Thomas and hundreds of others, life has changed forever.
“I always thought life on a cruise ship would be fun. I’m a very sociable person and have been to over 70 countries,” Thomas said.
Ms Thomas said she was still not fully repaid after spending more than six figures on a room on Life at Sea Cruises and even more on preparations for departure.
“The reason I’m asking for a refund on my credit card is because it keeps postponing the deadline it said it would repay, and it doesn’t meet the deadline, but it hasn’t proven that it can keep its promises. Because I can’t pay you back.” Don’t wait any longer. ”
Originally intended for a three-year residential cruise on a specially designed ship, the cruise was scheduled to depart from Istanbul on November 1st.
However, the departure was postponed several times and was completely canceled on November 17th.
The reason for the cancellation was that the cruise company didn’t have the ship in the first place.
The company had planned to buy one and convert it for travel use, but the deal fell through in September and investors pulled out soon after.
No matter what happens, Thomas said he remains intrigued by the idea of a three-year cruise.
“I think a lot of people think, ‘I was fooled once, shame on me. I was fooled twice, shame on me,'” Thomas said. “But the answer to those who think, why do you have enough faith to do the same thing again? Like, I’m all out. I gave up all my possessions. Because of my strength, I only have what I can carry in my suitcase.”
Thomas said civil and criminal lawsuits have been discussed against Life at Sea Cruises for canceling cruises, but nothing has been brought forward at this time.