Villa Vie Halts Odyssey Voyage in Cambodia as Fuel Costs Surge
A residential cruise ship carrying 203 passengers docked in Sihanoukville and suspended its voyage as monthly fuel costs per cabin climbed from $1,800 to as much as $8,000.
By Kofi Greco ·
Passengers aboard the Odyssey must now find new housing after Villa Vie Residences suspended the ship's residential world voyage in Cambodia. The vessel docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit and remained in port on Wednesday, Oct. 28, instead of departing for Vietnam. The ship carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, mostly Americans, alongside 156 crew members. Its capacity was 650 residents.
The company attributed the suspension to fuel prices. Monthly fuel expenses per cabin historically averaged $1,800 but reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war in Iran. Villa Vie Residences said it slowed the itinerary and extended time in port to cut fuel use but could not offset the increase. "We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," the company said. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution."
The Odyssey launched two years ago on a three-year voyage covering seven continents, marketed as long-term living at sea combined with global travel. The vessel held a confirmed itinerary running into November 2027. Villa Vie Residences had planned a second residential cruise ship for early 2029, though its statement on the suspension did not address that vessel. Passengers have been told to leave the ship, while the crew's status remains unclear.
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Source: WKMG-TV
