Luxury cruise passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs
The Villa Vie Odyssey suspends its voyage and is working with passengers on "temporary living arrangements".
Luxury cruise passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs
The Villa Vie Odyssey was more than 750 days into its voyage around the world when it came to a stop in Cambodia
A luxury cruise ship on a years-long round-the-world journey said it had halted operations because of exceptionally high fuel costs, leaving passengers stuck in Cambodia.
The US-based operator of Villa Vie Odyssey said it was coordinating with passengers on disembarkation plans and "temporary living arrangements".
It is not clear how many people were aboard, but the nearly 200m (656ft) vessel can carry up to 650 passengers. It left Belfast in October 2024 on a "continuous voyage around the world".
Global fuel prices have surged since the Iran war began earlier this year. The ship's operator said the monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia has climbed to as much as $8,000 (£6,000) from $1,800.
The company said it had made "significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port". But those efforts were not enough to "offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs".
"Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," it said.
The company said it would spend the next 60 days on "restructuring and recapitalisation", although "no outcome is assured".
According to its website, the Villa Vie Odyssey's trip was meant to last 3.5 years and visit nearly 150 countries.
Its departure had already been delayed while the ship underwent repairs, leaving passengers stranded in Belfast for months and costing the company millions of pounds.
The ship was more than 750 days into its circumnavigation before announcing on Tuesday that it was suspending its journey — meaning its passengers would now be stranded in Cambodia.
The Villa Vie Odyssey features several bars and restaurants, a pool deck and a pickleball court, according to its website.
Permanent residencies in its cabins cost between $120,000 and $440,000. The cabins are also available for rent from $3,500 a month.
Bloomberg reported, citing the cruise operator's founder, that around 200 passengers were on board when they were told to disembark in Cambodia.
They paid thousands for a cruise that hasn't sailed. Now they can't get their money back