A Florida-based residential cruise ship on a three-year world voyage has suspended operations in Cambodia, leaving hundreds of passengers without their floating homes. The Odyssey, operated by Villa Vie Residences, docked in Sihanoukville on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit but remained in port as the company announced it could no longer sustain operating losses driven by fuel costs.
The company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war in Iran. Villa Vie Residences attempted to reduce consumption by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port but said it was unable to offset the surge. "We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," the company stated. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution."
The ship carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, mostly Americans, along with 156 crew members. Passengers have been told to disembark, though the crew's status remains unclear. The Odyssey had a confirmed itinerary through November 2027, and the company had planned to launch a second residential ship in early 2029, though the suspension announcement did not address that vessel.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·