SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia – Around 200 passengers aboard a luxury residential cruise ship have been told to disembark in Cambodia after its operator suspended operations, citing soaring fuel costs linked to the war involving Iran.
Villa Vie Residences said its ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, would enter a temporary layup in Sihanoukville, with crew members remaining onboard to maintain the vessel and its essential systems.
The US-based company said it was working with passengers to arrange disembarkation and temporary accommodation while it explores restructuring and recapitalisation options over the next 60 days. It warned that no outcome was assured.
The ship’s operator said monthly fuel costs per cabin, which had historically averaged about US$1,800, had risen to as much as $8,000 in parts of Asia.
The company said it had tried to reduce consumption by slowing the ship’s itinerary and spending more time in port, but these measures had failed to offset the increase.
“Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” the company said.
According to The Japan Times, the company was covering accommodation and transportation for passengers but had not provided funding for them to leave Cambodia, citing founder Mikael Petterson.
The number of passengers onboard at the time of the suspension was not officially confirmed, although the vessel can accommodate up to 650 people.
Villa Vie Odyssey departed Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024 on a planned 3.5-year voyage around the world, with stops in nearly 150 countries. Unlike a conventional cruise ship, it offers residential cabins for people who buy or rent accommodation onboard.
Permanent cabin prices range from about $120,000 to $440,000, while rental options start at $3,500 a month, according to the company’s website.
The suspension leaves residents facing uncertainty over their accommodation and future travel plans as the company attempts to secure its financial future.
