Around 200 passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship have been left stranded in Cambodia after its operator suspended a three-and-a-half-year voyage around the world because of soaring fuel costs. The US-based company, Villa Vie Residences, said it could no longer absorb the extraordinary increase in operating expenses and was working on arrangements to help passengers disembark.
The Villa Vie Odyssey, which departed Belfast in October 2024, was more than 750 days into its global journey when operations were suspended on Tuesday. The nearly 200-metre-long vessel can accommodate up to 650 passengers and was scheduled to visit nearly 150 countries.
Fuel Costs Surge to $8,000 Per Cabin
The company said the monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had increased to as much as $8,000, compared with approximately $1,800 previously.
Global fuel prices have risen sharply following the Iran war earlier this year, putting additional pressure on the cruise operator’s finances.
Villa Vie Residences said it had attempted to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the ship’s itinerary and spending more time in ports. However, these measures were insufficient to offset the rising expenses.
The company also said passing the entire increase on to passengers through higher charges was not a realistic option.
Passengers Given Just Hours to Disembark
Passengers Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin told the BBC that they received the news from the company’s chief executive at around 6 AM on Tuesday. They were reportedly instructed to leave the ship by 2 PM the same day.
The couple said passengers had been aware of the company’s financial difficulties for some time. A potential investor had previously boarded the vessel to conduct due diligence, but the proposed investment did not materialise.
They described the suspension as heartbreaking, saying they had hoped an investor would rescue the voyage.
Another passenger, Holly Hennessey, said residents had previously been asked to consider paying a fuel surcharge as operating costs increased. The original itinerary had also been significantly reduced, prompting some passengers to leave the ship earlier and continue travelling independently.
Company Plans 60-Day Financial Restructuring
Villa Vie Residences said it would spend the next 60 days working on restructuring and recapitalisation. However, the company cautioned that there was no guarantee that these efforts would succeed.
Passengers were reportedly asked to make temporary living arrangements after disembarking in Sihanoukville, a Cambodian port city. The location also created logistical difficulties because it is some distance from a major international airport.
The operator said it was working with passengers on disembarkation plans and accommodation arrangements.
Passengers Had Paid Up to $440,000 for Permanent Residencies
The Villa Vie Odyssey offered a residential cruise lifestyle, allowing customers to purchase cabins and live aboard the ship while travelling around the world.
Permanent cabin ownership reportedly cost between $120,000 and $440,000, while monthly rentals started at approximately $3,500.
Last year, the company also introduced a lifetime residence programme targeting retirees interested in spending their retirement years at sea.
In 2024, it launched a four-year package called Skip Forward, aimed at people interested in leaving their home countries following the US presidential election.
Despite the unexpected suspension, some passengers said their experience had been worthwhile because of the destinations they visited and friendships they developed. Others are staying in Cambodia in the hope that the ship will resume its journey.
A Global Cruise Dream Hit by Rising Fuel Prices
The suspension highlights how sharply increasing fuel costs can affect businesses operating large vessels over extended periods. For Villa Vie Odyssey passengers, what was supposed to be a continuous journey across nearly 150 countries has turned into an uncertain wait in Cambodia.
Whether the ship will return to service now depends on the company’s ability to secure fresh funding and restructure its finances.
