Passengers left in Cambodia as luxury cruise pauses over fuel bills

Approximately 200 passengers are currently staying in hotels in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the luxury cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey suspended its multi-year voyage. The US-based operator announced the halt on Tuesday, citing a sharp rise in fuel prices. The vessel, which is nearly 200 meters long, can hold up to 650 people, but reports indicate around 200 were aboard when the news broke.

The company stated that the ongoing Iran war, which started earlier this year, drove global fuel prices higher. Monthly fuel costs per cabin in parts of Asia reached as much as $8,000, a steep increase from the previous $1,800 rate. The operator noted that it had already tried to save money by slowing the ship and staying longer in ports. However, those measures were not enough to cover the extra expenses. The company also said it could not pass the full cost increase onto the residents.

The Villa Vie Odyssey departed Belfast in October 2024 on a trip designed to last 3.5 years. The original plan was to visit nearly 150 countries. The ship was more than 750 days into this circumnavigation when the suspension was announced. This is not the first time the vessel has faced delays. Earlier in the journey, repairs left passengers stuck in Belfast for months, costing the company millions of pounds.

Passenger Holly Hennessey spoke to the BBC from Cambodia about the sudden change. She described the situation as unexpected. "It was not on my bingo card of places where I'd be spending a lot of time," Hennessey said. She explained that shipmates are scattered across different hotels. "We're just waiting," she added. Hennessey said some residents chose to leave the ship and continue traveling on land, while others remain in Cambodia hoping the ship will sail again.

The company plans to use the next 60 days for restructuring and recapitalization. It warned that no outcome is assured during this period. Before the suspension, the operator asked residents to consider a fuel surcharge as prices climbed. The itinerary had also been severely curtailed in recent months.

The ship offers permanent cabin residencies priced between $120,000 and $440,000. Monthly rentals start at $3,500. Facilities include bars, restaurants, a pool deck, and a pickleball court. Last year, the company introduced a lifetime residence program for retirees. In 2024, parent company Villa Vie Residences launched a four-year package called "Skip Forward" shortly after Donald Trump won his second term.

Hennessey remains in Cambodia with the intention of returning to the ship. "Until they say we are done, done done, I am not giving up," she said. She described the local environment as a place where she could continue her lifestyle at sea.