Newly launched Spanish cruise line Alma Cruceros is facing serious financial turbulence after its chartered vessel, Ocean Victory, was seized today in the port of Malaga. The seizure was carried out at the request of the vessel’s general agent, Lantimar Group, as concerns grow over the viability of the company.
Industry sources suggest the cruise line may be on the verge of suspending payments, with possible redundancies looming for crew currently stationed aboard the detained ship. Alma Cruceros has yet to issue any official statement regarding the seizure or the future of its operations.
The dramatic development follows weeks of uncertainty after Alma Cruceros abruptly cancelled a scheduled sailing on 11 May, just three weeks after launching its debut voyage. Travel agents were informed of the cancellation on 9 May, with a vague promise of further communication, none of which has materialised. Since then, the Ocean Victory has remained docked and inactive in Malaga.
Originally pitched as a high-end Mediterranean cruise experience, Alma Cruceros made its maiden voyage on 18 April, sailing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Malaga. The line positioned itself as a luxury product, targeting affluent travellers with weekly fares around €6,000 and collaborations with renowned Michelin-starred chefs Martín Berasategui and Paolo Casagrande.
However, after just three completed cruises, the company appeared to shift course. Pricing was significantly reduced to approximately €2,000 per passenger, suggesting a move away from the exclusive luxury market towards a more accessible boutique model. This rapid repositioning, coupled with behind-the-scenes operational struggles, is believed to have contributed to the cruise line’s current instability.
The Ocean Victory itself is not owned by Alma Cruceros. The vessel is chartered from shipowner SunStone and was expected to operate under Alma’s brand for six months each year in the Mediterranean. The remaining six months were allocated to polar expeditions under Albatros Expeditions in Antarctica.
Sources indicate that the Malaga-based entrepreneur behind Alma Cruceros has encountered a series of logistical challenges and failed to meet key expectations in the company’s rollout, raising further doubts about its long-term sustainability.
For now, Ocean Victory remains under seizure in Malaga, her crew on standby as the future of Alma Cruceros hangs in the balance.