The concept of Life at Sea Cruises—a three-year residential cruise around the world—has been a subject of significant controversy and skepticism. Originally launched by Miray Cruises, the project faced multiple delays, changes in leadership, and was ultimately canceled in late 2023 after the company failed to secure a ship. This left hundreds of prospective residents, some of whom had sold their homes to fund the journey, in a state of financial distress. In 2026, while the original Life at Sea Cruises is a cautionary tale of a failed venture, the "residential cruise" industry itself is very real, with established competitors like The World or newer start-ups like Villa Vie Residences attempting to fill the gap. However, the "Life at Sea" brand remains synonymous with the 2023 collapse. Travelers are strongly advised to perform deep due diligence on any multi-year cruise start-up, as the high capital costs of the cruise industry make these "pay-up-front" residential models extremely high-risk for consumers compared to traditional cruise lines.