SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — A US-based residential cruise ship on a years-long voyage around the world has suspended operations in Cambodia because of soaring fuel costs, forcing its passengers to leave what had been their floating homes.
Florida-based Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs per cabin that historically averaged $1,800 had reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war with Iran. Slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port could not offset the increase, it said.
“Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” the company said. It plans 60 days of “restructuring and recapitalisation,” though “no outcome is assured.”
The Villa Vie Odyssey carried 203 passengers of 15 nationalities, mostly Americans, and 156 crew, NPR reported. It docked in Sihanoukville on October 23 for a five-day visit and was due to sail on to Vietnam.
Passengers Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin told the BBC they were told by the company’s chief executive at 6 a.m. Tuesday that they had to leave by 2 p.m. “It felt like our dream had been crushed,” they said.
The ship left Belfast in 2024 on a planned 3.5-year voyage to nearly 150 countries. Cabins sold for $120,000 to $440,000.
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