Meredith Shay, a determined woman from Florida, had always dreamt of a world tour. So, when she discovered the “Life at Sea” cruise, which would travel to 135 countries over three years, she eagerly sold her house, quit her job, and booked her ticket. The cost: an eye-watering Rs 4 crore.
Shay was overjoyed to secure a seventh-floor balcony cabin, and she spent hours planning her trip. With four packed suitcases and a storage unit rented, she was ready to set sail from Miami. However, her excitement turned to shock when the cruise company informed her that the ship would now depart from the Bahamas instead of Florida. Things took an even worse turn when the cruise was ultimately cancelled altogether.
Despite the setback, Shay remains upbeat. “I’m free and have no obligations,” she says, focusing on the positive. She’s already planning another cruise to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, saying, “I’m content and happy.”
The cruise company, Myre Cruise, has pledged to refund customers in three installments, but Shay’s experience highlights the importance of caution when chasing big dreams. Nonetheless, her resilience is inspiring. As she wisely puts it, “Life doesn’t end when people die; it ends when they lose hope.”