When a company called Life at Sea cruises began advertising their brand-new residential three-year cruise, it sounded like a dream come true for 76 year-old Frances Paroissien.
But after putting down $85,000 of her hard earned retirement money for a cabin, her dream trip came crashing down. Life at Sea cruises went through a series of postponements, eventually canceling the journey altogether, having never secured a ship.
After the tragic death of her husband Ian, who she used to cruise with, Paroissien has taken some cruises solo, including 125 days on Island Princess.
However, the Life at Sea debacle provided a major setback, and now 12 months later she still has not been refunded the $85,000 by Miray Cruises, who own the company. The company is based in Turkey which is proving a hurdle to recouping her funds.
But the experience hasn’t deterred Paroissien.
Astonishingly, Paroissien is now in Belfast, having been there for four months, nervously awaiting the departure of Villa Vie Residences, another residential cruise line promising her a dream life at sea.
While this may sound like a brave decision while owed $85,000, the key difference is that Villa Vie does have a ship. However, this time the commitment is even greater, Paroissien has purchased a cabin for 15-years.
She remains extremely positive.
“I bought cabin on Villa Vie Odyssey as soon as they had purchased the ship which I will own for the life of the ship which is expected to be 15 years.
“I am convinced that Villa Vie will provide me with accommodation, food, cleaning, laundry, medical attention as well as travelling the world which I anticipate will be much more exciting than sitting in my apartment alone, or being a resident of an aged care facility.”
“I don’t see this as a three-and-a-half year journey, I see it as a 15-year one.”
Paroissien has also done what she can to make the most of her time in Belfast.
“I’ve been in Belfast since 25th May and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time.
“I have already made very firm friends with residents of Villa Vie as we gathered together for meals and local excursions around Belfast.”
Even while her dispute remains with Life At Sea Cruises, Paroissien is holding out hope that she’ll get to live her dream life at sea with Ville Vie. She maintains regular contact with her son and granddaughter while she waits in Belfast.
Another cruising couple waiting in Belfast
Steve and Angela Theriac, both 53 years-old met way back in seventh grade, soon they’ll be living on a cruise ship together.
Joint-owners of the Youtube channel Mid-Life Cruising, the couple have been making content showing off the ship as they nervously await its fate, however, like Fran, they have confidence in the company.
Angela says: “We actually met in the 7th grade and became great friends. Steve became really good looking about junior year of college, so then I was all in.
“We married and in January it will be our 30 year anniversary. Spending most of our lives in Florida, we had access to several cruise ports. It quickly became our vacation of choice, and we have done about 50 cruises.
“We just learned about the Villa Vie in March, and after a week of doing intense research, and me twisting Steve’s arm, we bought in.”
Theriac says the wait has been frustrating but the couple remain positive.
“We have been frustrated at times, but we look at this journey like we are remodeling a house, which we have done a few times. Problems arise, mistakes are made, but you just suck it up and keep trudging along. Reviving a 30 year old ship is like reviving a 100 year old house, it just takes time
“We do feel we are at the end of the project and we are close to receiving a “certificate of occupancy”.
Theraic says she is fully confident the ship will sail and they receive regular updates from the company COO.
“We are fully confident the ship will sail, it is just the waiting that is hard.. We receive updates on a regular basis. It started months ago with a weekly update, then it switched to twice a week, and now the COO, Kathy Villaba, posts an update daily.
“The company has been transparent thoughout the process, and even recently allowed a resident to sit in the daily meetings – which he then passes on the information to the rest of us.”
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