PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Azat TV) – A U.S. residential cruise ship on a scheduled three-year world voyage suspended its operations in Cambodia due to soaring fuel expenses, forcing hundreds of passengers to abandon their floating homes, according to Register Citizen. The vessel, named the Odyssey and operated by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, had set sail two years ago on an ambitious itinerary covering seven continents, combining long-term residential living at sea with global travel.
The unexpected suspension leaves 203 passengers—comprising 15 nationalities, predominantly Americans—alongside 156 crew members facing sudden disruption. While the ship possessed a total capacity of 650 residents, the operational halt in Sihanoukville has forced passengers to disembark and leave the vessel, while the immediate status of the crew remains unconfirmed.
Escalating Fuel Costs Drive Operating Losses
According to the operating company, monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged around $1,800, escalated dramatically to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia amid the ongoing war in Iran. Villa Vie Residences reported that it attempted to mitigate the financial impact by reducing fuel consumption, slowing down the ship’s itinerary, and spending extended periods in port.
Despite these operational adjustments, the company stated that it could not offset the massive surge in fuel prices. “We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” the company said in a statement. Furthermore, executives noted that passing the full financial increase directly on to residents was unfeasible, leaving restructuring and support for passengers and employees as their primary current focus.
Timeline and Port Status in Sihanoukville
The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port confirmed in an official statement that the Odyssey docked on October 23 for a scheduled five-day visit. Although the vessel was originally slated to depart for Vietnam afterward, it remained docked at the port on Wednesday, October 28, following the suspension announcement.
The disruption cuts short a confirmed itinerary that was originally scheduled to run through November 2027. Villa Vie Residences previously announced plans to introduce a second residential cruise ship into service by early 2029, though the recent company statement regarding the Odyssey’s suspension did not address the status of the future vessel.