Villa Vie Strands 203 Passengers in Cambodia as Fuel Costs Triple

The MV Odyssey, a vessel that launched a multi-year circumnavigation of the globe in October 2024, has suspended its itinerary. The ship is currently docked in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, with no confirmed departure date. This halt effectively ends the first phase of a journey that was originally designed to last three and a half years.

Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, cited soaring fuel expenses as the primary driver for the suspension. The company stated that monthly fuel costs per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, have jumped to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. This spike is linked to the war in Iran, which has curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and squeezed petroleum supplies in Southeast Asia. Villa Vie said it attempted to mitigate these losses by slowing the itinerary and increasing port stays, but the strategy failed to offset the rising expenses.

The vessel carries 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew members. It has a maximum capacity of 650 passengers. In a statement issued Tuesday, Villa Vie explained that it could no longer sustain the operating losses. The company noted that passing the full cost increase onto residents was not realistic. It said its focus is now on supporting residents, crew, and employees while it works to restructure the operation.

Passenger reactions to the disembarkation process have been mixed. Randy Cassingham, a blogger who was aboard the ship, criticized the company's handling of the situation. He wrote that the company provided minimal assistance, noting that shuttle buses dropped passengers in the middle of town in Sihanoukville without a list of hotels or financial help for lodging. Villa Vie stated it is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements, but it could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Local officials provided a timeline for the ship’s immediate future. Long Dimanche, the deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province, said the ship arrived in Sihanoukville last Friday. It was originally scheduled to depart Wednesday. Dimanche said the vessel is now expected to refuel and leave Cambodia on Saturday, though the operator has not publicly confirmed that date.

The Odyssey was built in 1993 and operated by various cruise lines before being idled during the 2020 pandemic. Villa Vie purchased the ship in 2023. The current voyage began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after a refit. The operator marketed the experience as a combination of long-term living and travel, with suite prices starting around $230,000 for the lifetime of the vessel. A second cruise was tentatively scheduled to end in August 2030.