Tourists Stranded Due to Travel Agency's Bankruptcy, Preventing Them from Embarking on Their Cruise
In a sudden turn of events, hundreds of passengers, including Marlene Marta and her family, find themselves stranded and out of pocket after the collapse of Monaco-based travel agency Star Croisières. The agency's failure to transfer funds to MSC Cruises has resulted in the denial of access to pre-paid cruises, leaving numerous travellers in a state of disarray.
MSC Cruises, in response, has requested affected passengers to pay again if they wish to keep their bookings. This demand has sparked significant outrage among customers who had paid amounts ranging from €2,000 to over €35,000.
The financial irregularities at Star Croisières are now under investigation by the public prosecutor in Monaco. Suspicious financial activity, including unusual profit reporting and substantial losses in prior years, are at the centre of the probe. Star Croisières' legal representatives have expressed their intent to cooperate fully with the investigation.
MSC Cruises is currently handling refund and rebooking cases on a "case by case" basis, assuring that "no client will be left without options." However, affected passengers report inconsistent communication. Some have been offered alternative cruises or credit notes, while others have been informed that their cabins have been resold. Many bookings have already been canceled or changed, and passengers are currently awaiting confirmation of revised travel plans or compensation.
A victims’ collective has been formed, with over 260 members discussing legal action, including potential class action suits in Monaco. Meanwhile, other cruise lines such as Costa Cruises have reportedly been more flexible in honoring existing bookings despite the agency’s collapse.
Marlene Marta, a client of Star Cruises, was supposed to embark on a Mediterranean tour with her family on August 10. The tour was scheduled to visit France, Italy, and Spain aboard the MSC Seaview. Marlene, an artisan who works hard to afford vacations like this one, has created a collective group of other clients affected by the travel agency's payment default. She expresses her frustration as no one seems to care about her situation and her cruise could fall through just 10 days before departure.
Another affected passenger, Marion Fourthin, had paid an astronomical sum of over 15,000 euros for her cruise. A midwife, she had saved up a lifetime to discover the United States and the Caribbean. However, she was forced to pay the amount again due to an airline ticket at stake. The specific cruise line for Marion Fourthin is not specified in the text. MSC Cruises will refund Marion Fourthin for her payment.
The collective group of clients has deposits totalling almost 400,000 euros with the travel agency. More than 300 people are affected by the travel agency's payment default, including Marion Fourthin. No official announcements have indicated full refunds yet; clients are advised to stay in contact with MSC Cruises and legal representatives for updates on their cases and potential compensation.
As the investigation into Star Croisières continues, affected passengers are left in a state of uncertainty, hoping for a swift resolution to their predicament.
- Marlene Marta, a French artisan, has expresses her frustration as she and other clients, totaling nearly 400,000 euros in deposits, navigate the uncertain aftermath of Star Croisières' payment default, which has left over 300 people in a similar situation.
- In a bid to finance their lifestyles, numerous Star Croisières clients have invested significant sums, ranging from €2,000 to over €35,000, in pre-paid travel packages, including Marion Fourthin who intended to explore the United States and the Caribbean, only to be left in a position where she must pay again to secure her booking.
