Villa Vie Odyssey Halts in Cambodia as Fuel Costs Surge
Villa Vie Residences suspended its Odyssey residential cruise in Cambodia, citing fuel costs up to $8,000 per cabin monthly in parts of Asia, and ordered passengers off.
The story in focus
Villa Vie Residences halted its long-term Odyssey cruise in Cambodia on Tuesday, citing fuel costs that rose to as much as $8,000 per cabin monthly in parts of Asia from $1,800. The Florida-based operator is helping passengers with disembarkation and temporary living arrangements while it pursues 60 days of restructuring.
- The Odyssey stopped operations in Cambodia on Tuesday, and passengers were ordered to disembark.
- Monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia rose to as much as $8,000 from $1,800, the operator said.
- The ship can carry 650 residents; about 200 were aboard when disembarkation was ordered, Bloomberg reported.
- Villa Vie said it will spend 60 days on restructuring and recapitalisation, with no outcome assured.
- The vessel departed Belfast in October 2024 on a voyage planned to span 3.5 years and nearly 150 countries.
Suspension and passenger arrangements
Villa Vie Residences, based in Florida, said it suspended the Odyssey's continuous world voyage after fuel costs rose far beyond levels it could absorb. The company said it was working with passengers on disembarkation plans and temporary living arrangements in Cambodia.
The BBC reported the vessel was more than 750 days into its circumnavigation when the suspension was announced on Tuesday. It departed Belfast in October 2024 on a voyage expected to last 3.5 years and cover nearly 150 countries.
The ship can carry up to 650 passengers, though the number aboard at the time of the halt was unclear. Bloomberg reported around 200 passengers were on board when they were ordered to disembark, according to the BBC.
Fuel costs and restructuring
The operator said monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had reached as much as $8,000, up from $1,800. It said it had slowed the itinerary and spent more time in port to cut consumption, but those steps did not offset the increase.
Villa Vie said passing the full increase to residents was not realistic. It plans 60 days of restructuring and recapitalisation and said no outcome is assured.
NBC News reported that global oil prices have surged since the war with Iran began this year. Cabins on the Odyssey were sold or rented, with permanent residencies priced from $120,000 to $440,000 and rentals from $3,500 a month, according to the BBC.
Why did the Villa Vie Odyssey stop in Cambodia?
The operator cited fuel costs that rose to as much as $8,000 per cabin monthly in parts of Asia from $1,800, saying slower itineraries and longer port stays could not offset the increase.
Sources & further reading
- Luxury cruise passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs ↗BBC News
- They bought cabins to live on a luxury cruise ship. High fuel costs got them kicked off in Cambodia. ↗NBC News
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