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The American couple Kara (36) and Joe Youssef are in a hotel in Istanbul and will soon be homeless – if they do not get their money back. They have no hope of that.
The Youssefs wanted to make a dream come true and take a three-year cruise. Advertised by Miray Cruises as the ‘ultimate bucket list cruise’, it would have taken you to more than 100 countries from November 2023 and lasted more than 1,000 days.
The couple sold their apartment and pooled their savings to secure a cabin on the “MV Lara.” And paid a total of $80,000 to the organizers, they reported to the New York Times.
But suddenly things happened in quick succession: just over 100 of the possible 600 cabins were booked, suddenly there was no suitable ship, the investors got off the ship – and the dream shattered.
What was left behind were guests like Youssefs who had already traveled to Istanbul to start the journey from there. “We sold everything we had to make this dream come true. We are devastated.”
Although Miray Cruises knew there were problems early on, guests believed in their dream until the end. Kara Youssef: “They gave us hope until the last moment.”
The deposits guests made were protected by a bond with the Federal Maritime Commission, the company said. The New York Times now reports: This guarantee was never deposited.
Other guests such as Mary Rader (68) are also left with nothing. She sold her apartment and paid $85,000 for her cabin. She never received a receipt for it.
Although the company promised to refund the money, many defrauded passengers have not seen a cent. The Youssefs are currently living in a hotel in Istanbul, paid for by the organizers.
Retired social worker Mary Rader no longer believes she will ever see her money again. “I assume the company will be closed or restructured and everything I deposited will never be paid out.” (neo)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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