The bigger the better, the more the merrier: The world's two largest cruise ships have finally met.
29.12.2023 - 05:15 / nytimes.com / Mikael Petterson
Kara and Joe Youssef sold their two apartments, withdrew their life savings, gave up most of their belongings and, in late October, set out for Istanbul for the trip of a lifetime: a three-year cruise around the world, scheduled to depart Nov. 1.
But in late November, after months of behind-the-scenes chaos, the Youssefs were stuck in Istanbul, with the cruise company canceling the trip. It did not have a ship that could handle the journey.
The Turkish company, Miray Cruises, had announced the cruise, called Life at Sea, in March. It claimed it would be the longest cruise ever — 382 port calls over 1,095 days — and a community at sea, with opportunities to explore the globe. Starlink internet and a business center would allow passengers to work remotely.
The cruise seemed ideal for a post-pandemic era, targeting people longing for an escape. With fares starting at $90,000 for an inside cabin and going up to $975,000 for a suite, the trip even seemed like a bargain to some prospective passengers, cheaper than living three years in many cities.
Within the first month of sales, more than half of the ship’s 400 cabins had been reserved. But putting together a cruise of this magnitude is a monumental task, requiring a ship large enough to carry hundreds of people, docking rights around the world and secure funding.
Like a high-seas version of the Fyre Festival, which promised a luxury music concert in the Bahamas and delivered cold sandwiches and makeshift tents, the cruise imploded. It has left people, like the Youssefs, frustrated and confused. Despite promised refunds, only a small portion of the money has been returned so far.
In an interview in December, Vedat Ugurlu, the owner of Miray, blamed a lack of financing and interest for the cruise’s cancellation.
“We tried everything to find a solution, but at the end of the day we couldn’t get the investors and we couldn’t sell enough cabins,” he said.
That has left Ms. Youssef, 36, a former humanitarian worker from Ohio, and her husband sitting in Istanbul with three suitcases and a carry-on, waiting for a refund of $80,000.
“They kept leading us on, making us hold out hope until the very last minute, just days before we were supposed to depart,” she said. “We sold everything we have to make this dream happen. We feel completely defeated.”
In June 2022, as the cruise industry was recovering from its pandemic shutdown, Mikael Petterson, an entrepreneur based in Miami, had an idea for a three-year cruise. Long-term cruises are not unheard-of, but they usually last a year at most, because of the logistics involved.
Mr. Petterson had plans to hit destinations all over the world. What he did not have was a ship. Through a broker, he was introduced to Miray
The bigger the better, the more the merrier: The world's two largest cruise ships have finally met.
Whether you’re visiting London for a romantic weekend retreat, to explore the West End and catch some shows, or you’re on a mission to seek out some of the city’s top restaurants and coolest vintage shops, you’re going to need a base of operations.
By now, they were supposed to be well into the first leg of the three-year Life at Sea cruise, sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers unlimited Starbucks drinks for $15.50 a day, which a TikToker says is a "really good deal."
When you think of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, you probably think of its giant amusement park-like cruise ships with 10-story-tall slides, go-kart tracks, and many families.
A highly anticipated newcomer towers along the hustle, bustle, and traffic of Miami's busy coast. And for good reason: PortMiami's newest 1,198-foot-long resident was recently crowned the world's largest cruise ship.
Last February, I was scrolling through Instagram when a peculiar ad appeared on my feed. The ad boasted of a three-year cruise called Life at Sea — said to be the longest cruise ever, with 382 port calls around the world — set to depart from Istanbul on Nov. 1.
Get ready for a major new option when it comes to cruises from Galveston, Texas.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) has solidified a multi-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys to tap into the U.S. Southwest market. The collaboration aims to reach Dallas Cowboys fans across the United States. The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, The Bahamas’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, along with Ministry of Tourism Director General Latia Duncombe and other executives, were in attendance at the Dallas Cowboys versus Detroit Lions game on 30 December, to kick off the partnership and celebrate Jimmy Johnson’s induction into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
The biggest cruise ship ever built is finally in position for its first sailings with paying passengers.
What if you took hundreds of strangers, gave them each a camera, and put them in an isolated, confined space to live in for the best part of a year?
I spent seven days on Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady in November for $931, which comes to $133 a day.