A residential cruise ship that had been at sea for two years has come to an abrupt end, stranding over 200 passengers in Cambodia. The Villa Vie Odyssey, which had promised passengers the chance to make the ocean their permanent home, suspended its voyage on Tuesday due to soaring fuel costs.
According to the ship's operator, Villa Vie Residences, the company had been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses. The company cited monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which had climbed from around $1,800 to as much as $8,000 in parts of Asia. Passengers were given just seven hours' notice to leave the vessel and had to make their own arrangements for temporary accommodations.
The ship, which had set sail from Belfast, Northern Ireland in October 2024, was supposed to be a 3 1/2-year journey around the world. Many passengers had invested in the ship's "Endless Horizons" program, which offered lifetime access to the Odyssey cruise ship for a one-time payment of $299,999 for a single-occupancy cabin or $499,999 for double occupancy. The program was marketed as a budget-conscious alternative to traditional retirement.
Passengers who spoke to the Associated Press expressed disappointment and frustration over the abrupt end to their voyage. Some had invested significant sums in the ship, with one passenger paying $120,000 for her cabin. Despite the setback, some passengers expressed a sense of resignation, acknowledging that the ship's operator had taken on a significant risk by launching the project.
The company has stated that it is working to support passengers, crew, and employees, and is coordinating disembarkation and temporary living arrangements.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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