Around 200 passengers on a residential world cruise have been left stranded in Cambodia after the company operating their ship suspended operations, citing soaring fuel costs.
Suy Se/AFP
According to IOL, the US-based Villa Vie Residences announced the suspension after its 200-metre-long ship, Odyssey, arrived at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville. Passengers were reportedly given just seven hours to pack their belongings and disembark, disrupting a journey that had been designed to let people travel the world while living at sea.
According to Long Dimanche, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province, 203 guests and 156 crew members arrived aboard the Bahamas-flagged vessel from Thailand on 23 October. The ship had been scheduled to continue to Vietnam.
The sudden departure order left some passengers, including retirees and remote workers, without their usual accommodation far from home. Some reportedly arranged flights out of Cambodia, while others remained in the port city as they considered their next steps.
Rising fuel costs put residential cruise under pressure
The Odyssey departed Northern Ireland in October 2024 on a continuous world voyage. Unlike a conventional cruise, the residential travel concept allowed passengers to buy or rent accommodation aboard the ship, with options intended for both shorter stays and long-term living. Some residents had reportedly sold their homes and possessions to fund life at sea.
However, rising operating expenses have placed significant pressure on the business. Villa Vie Residences said its average monthly fuel expenditure per cabin had increased from around US$1,800 to an estimated US$6,000 to US$8,000 in parts of Asia.
The company attributed the increase to the sharp rise in fuel prices following the war involving Iran. It said the financial shortfall had made its existing operating model unsustainable, adding that passing the full increase on to residents was not a realistic solution.
The suspension follows other reported challenges for the voyage. Passenger and cruise blogger Randy Cassingham said the ship’s original departure from Belfast had been delayed by four months and that it had not reached its planned capacity of 650 residents.
What happens to the stranded passengers?
Villa Vie Residences said it was working with residents to coordinate their departure from the vessel and identify temporary accommodation. The company also acknowledged the disruption facing passengers, crew members and employees as it worked to determine the next steps.
Local authorities said the ship was expected to refuel and leave Cambodia on 31 October. However, the future of the residential voyage and the arrangements for those who had been living aboard remained uncertain at the time of reporting.
The incident highlights the financial risks associated with long-term residential cruising, a travel model that combines international itineraries with life aboard a ship. For passengers who had planned to make the Odyssey their home, the suspension has created an unexpected break in their travels and raised questions about their accommodation and onward journeys.
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