World-Cruise Ship Villa Vie Odyssey Halts in Cambodia
The residential ship says fuel costs have made the voyage unaffordable. About 200 passengers were told to disembark.
The Villa Vie Odyssey, a luxury ship on a years-long voyage around the world, has suspended operations in Cambodia and left its passengers stranded. The operator blamed extraordinarily high fuel costs.
The ship was more than 750 days into its circumnavigation when it stopped. The US-based operator announced the suspension on Tuesday and said it is working with passengers on disembarkation plans and "temporary living arrangements". Bloomberg reported, citing the founder, that around 200 passengers were on board when they were ordered off the ship. The vessel is nearly 200m long and can carry up to 650.
Fuel bills soar
Global fuel prices have soared since the Iran war began earlier this year. The company said monthly fuel costs per cabin in parts of Asia have climbed to as much as $8,000 (£6,000), from $1,800. It said it had slowed the itinerary and spent more time in port to burn less fuel, but that was not enough to offset the rise. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," it said.
The next 60 days will go on "restructuring and recapitalisation", though the company said "no outcome is assured".
The ship left Belfast in October 2024 for a "continuous voyage around the world". The trip was expected to last 3.5 years and call at nearly 150 countries. The departure itself was delayed while the ship was repaired. Passengers were stranded in Belfast for months, and the delay cost the company millions of pounds.
Permanent cabin residencies cost $120,000 to $440,000, and cabins can be rented from $3,500 a month. The ship has bars and restaurants, a pool deck and a pickleball court. Last year the company launched a lifetime residence programme for people who want to spend their retirement at sea.
Source: BBC News