Passengers, who brought “residences” on a luxury ship that planned to perpetually tour the world, have been stranded in Cambodia after a cruise company suspended operations, citing “extraordinary” fuel costs.
Villa Vie Residences’ 650-passenger ship, Odyssey, is currently moored in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the unscheduled stop.
The operator says it “is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements,” according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
It added that fuel costs have risen sharply in the regions where the company has been operating.
On an equivalent per-cabin basis, monthly fuel expense that historically averaged approximately $1,800 has recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia.
The company added that it cannot pass increases of that scale on to residents, and the resulting shortfall has placed its current operating model under unsustainable financial pressure.
The company stated that it is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements.
Villa Vie Residences recognises the difficult and disruptive period for residents and crew members, and is working to support those affected as plans develop.
“Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port. Those measures have not been enough to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses. Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. Our focus now is on supporting residents and crew, while we work toward restructuring and recapitalisation over the next 60 days. That work is ongoing, and no outcome is assured.”
The Odyssey, a 24,344-gross-tonne vessel with eight decks and capacity for up to 650 residents, was marketed as a way to live at sea while circling the globe, with calls at more than 425 destinations in 147 countries and over 100 islands.
It left Belfast on October 3, 2024, to begin what the company called a continuous world voyage.
As recently as October 20, its published schedule still promoted a 3.5-year itinerary confirmed through to November 2027, with a preliminary second circumnavigation running to August 2030.
That plan included a stay in Cambodia with stops in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Seychelles, Madagascar and Africa.
