Chasing Summer –

Sob, it’s official. Today I should have been joining the cruise, but instead, the whole thing has been canceled.

Investors from the Middle East have withdrawn their support so there is no money for the boat. Miray has lost up to 10,000,000 USD on this failed venture.

Vedat the owner has promised to pay the customers back in three installment plans. The first is December 15-22, then January and February.

We are eligible for returns on:

So this should include my non-refundable ticket to meet the boat which didn’t happen since they had already agreed. Also, the 500 USD that I was promised instead of using their POD (luggage) agreement. There are also November lodgings, but honestly, I don’t care about that just the money I have put out back will be a huge relief.

So I’ve been sad, but exploring my options. Here are a few things I’ve been looking at.

International Substitute Teaching

So I am in the process of registering with IST, IST | International Substitute Teachers (teachersonthemove.com). This is an organization that provides teachers to the international community for short-term, 6 weeks to 1 year, positions. This seems like a better option right now than going through ISS (International School Services) or Schole for a full-time contract at a school. Most would be for after July anyway.

Pros- Cheap (35 UK pounds for lifetime registration), short-term jobs, flights paid for, salary the same as other international teachers at the school, and it gives me something to do.

Cons- Some places require police clearances for the past 3-10 years, which I do not have copies of. That would be Albania, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. This could take a lot of time and money to get if necessary. Not a reliable/steady gig.

Ville Ve Residences

Villa Vie Residences: Cruise the World for under $100,000

Another option is to go with another cruise company start-up that is attempting to do the same thing that Miray failed to do. Ville Ve states that they are selling their cabins for segments, months, or continuous sailing which greatly affects the price that I would pay for the trip.

The inside cabin is priced at USD 99,000 and a single occupancy of $2499 a month. I think that means that you are buying the room and then the monthly fees are like condo fees. For everything included this seems like a really good deal.

You can also just book space on the boat without owning your cabin. For the same kind of room is pretty reasonably priced. My one concern- big big big concern is do they have a boat yet? There is a webinar on the 29th of November that I have signed up for. My only real question- is have you purchased a boat? If they have a boat, not just a promise of a boat. Then this seems great. Sailing is to begin in March.

HCL Cruises

So the executive team that left Miray has moved over to HCL and is planning on organizing an around-the-world cruise as well. They are hoping it will begin in March. Again, they do not currently have a boat. There is a tentative itinerary that will go out on Friday to interested parties. I’ll have a look at it then but it should be similar to Miray since they have the same planner, Robert.

While it seems that they would have an advantage over Ville Ve since they have cruising experience. I’m not too sure that that is the case. If you look at their website HLC Cruise & Emporium it seems more like they do cruises solely to sell gold and diamonds near the Middle East and the Caribbean.

The current website is less than impressive and includes several spelling mistakes. Kendra Holmes joins them as CEO on December 1st and hopefully, things will change.

Victoria Cruise Line

All-inclusive world cruise ship for adults only – VCL (victoria.cruises)

The third world cruise is with Victoria Cruises. They do have cruise experience which puts them ahead of the game.

The starting cost of the cruise for a 36-month lease is $2,399.00 for two people. So $4, 799 per room? 20% less for a single supplement so they are more expensive than Ville Ve.

The cheapest way would be a 37-month contract or indefinite which reduces the cabin price by 40%. That would make the monthly price $3, 839. They hope to sail in July but only if 80% occupancy has been reached. Their best-selling feature is that they have a boat already.

Travel on My Own

The last thing I’ve been looking at is some traveling on my own. My biggest disappointment is missing Antarctica. There is a 16-day trip from Buenos Aires, Venezuela to Antarctica and ending in Santiago, Chile. I can go in January and spend a few extra days before exploring Buenos Aires and stay a few days after to hit up the Easter Islands and the Patagonia region. This seems like a pretty good way to spend some time to me.

What do you think? I am hoping to gather a little more information first but will complete my registration with IST, book my Antarctica adventure, and hope that one of the three other cruises becomes a reality.