'Life savings gone up in smoke': Hundreds of people deprived of cruises after Monaco company defaults

"It's shameful, our money has been stolen"; "It's a real scandal!"; "What should I do knowing that I put all my savings into this cruise to live this experience with my children?"

On the "Victims of Star Cruises" WhatsApp loop, which currently has 260 members, expressions of outrage have been pouring in since this weekend. All of them paid, in part or in full, for a multi-day cruise at sea with this Monegasque company but will not be able to board ships in various ports around the world, including Cannes and Marseille.

For some, departure is imminent: as early as this week. For others, booking is further out, as late as 2027. All have committed substantial sums, from €2,000 to more than €35,000, with supporting invoices. Perhaps more for other clients who have not yet expressed interest.

We explain the timeline to you.

"No longer able to honor its commitments"

It all started with an email from MSC Cruises, sent to its customers on Thursday, July 31, which Monaco-Matin was able to view thanks to Marlène M., a Beausoleil resident concerned by a cruise in August. "You booked a cruise with our partner Star Cruises, and you paid, partially or in full, the amount of this reservation to this agency (...) Unfortunately, due to the financial difficulties encountered by Star Cruises, the funds you paid have not been transferred to us. As a result, we are unable, to date, to validate your departure," it reads. MSC services say they are "sincerely sorry for this situation beyond [its] control."

Where the problem lies for cruise passengers is the cruise line's proposal: "If you wish to maintain your cruise plans, we will be happy to assist you in setting up a new reservation, subject to full payment. To guarantee the availability of your cabin, we invite you to contact us before Monday, August 4 at 6 p.m. After this deadline, we will be forced to cancel the cabin originally planned." And therefore to remarket the cabin.

The following day, Friday, August 1st, it was the turn of the Monegasque travel agency Star Croisières to come out of the woodwork via an email sent to its customers. It further explained the situation. "Unfortunately, SARL Star Croisières is no longer able to honor its commitments and has been forced to file a request for a declaration of cessation of payments in order to obtain a judgment appointing a receiver and opening collective proceedings."

According to our information, a hearing in the Monaco court could be held as early as Tuesday, August 5th. The judges' decision will then be published in the Journal de Monaco. While the proceedings continue, Star Cruises is referring its customers to... MSC Cruises.

"There are a lot of victims"

"There are a huge number of victims. This case touches on the deepest level of humanity. People have sacrificed themselves for years to pay for this cruise," laments Karen Lebigre, a lawyer at Paris City Hall who heads the collective. So far, the woman who herself put forward a sum of €3,200 has listed more than 100 injured parties for damages exceeding €300,000. "This figure I'm putting forward is based on the invoices I've been sent. It's probably a significant underestimate. Victims continue to be added every day. The information is gradually spreading."

They come from Monaco, France (mainland and overseas territories), Italy, Belgium, Morocco, Mexico, Argentina, etc. Among them, but they are rare, some have agreed to pay a second time so as not to cancel their trip and disappoint their children.

"About twenty of us from the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco are affected by a cruise in February 2026 to the United Arab Emirates departing from Dubai ," says Valérie Kardoulias. "A colleague, who advanced the costs for others, lost 20,000 euros. We had paid a deposit of 2,200 euros to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. It's a real shock. I don't have too many illusions about a potential refund. I'm disgusted by MSC Cruises, which is not making any goodwill gesture. One of my colleagues bought spas from them as an extra, even though they say they haven't received any payment from their partner Star Cruises. Is this normal? There's a hitch somewhere..."

Marlène M., another leader of the collective, pledged 7,454 euros for a week-long cruise in the Mediterranean, from August 10 to 17. "These are astronomical amounts. For some, it's a life's savings and a dream going up in smoke. Personally, I already had my mind on the boat. My husband and I are craftsmen, we work hard all year to afford this ," complains this Beausoleil resident. "It's really a double whammy. We wanted to surprise our children, to see the lights come on in their eyes. At least, for them, nothing will be canceled..."

In his eyes, the position currently held by MSC Cruises is "financial, emotional and affective blackmail" .

"Costa Cruises has taken the opposite approach and is agreeing to take customers on board with their invoices paid. They will then undoubtedly turn against Star Cruises," says Karen Lebigre.

Several actions in progress

All are determined to lead the rebellion and the fight.

Several actions have already been taken: formal notice emails to MSC Cruises, an alert to regional and national media as well as to the magazine 60 Million Consumers, an online petition , and a kitty for possible legal costs.

"We are also planning a class action, but for that we have to wait until a legal representative is appointed in Monaco," confides Karen Lebigre.

Contacted, the MSC Cruises company and the Stars Cruises law firm have not yet responded to our requests.