Endless Cruise Around the World Suspended, Leaving Passengers Stranded in Cambodia
Fuel costs force a halt
Villa Vie Residences announced on Wednesday that operations were suspended as fuel prices rose. The operator linked the financial pressure to the U.S. war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the resulting increase in fuel costs.
In parts of Asia, monthly fuel expenses reached $8,000 per cabin, the company said. The previous average was $1,800 per cabin, and the vessel has 485 cabins. The ship spent more time in port to reduce fuel use, while the operator considered a surcharge. But Villa Vie Residences said it could not reasonably transfer the entire increase to passengers.
Passengers leave in hours
The voyage ended in Sihanoukville, a Cambodian coastal resort city. A couple aboard told the BBC that the company’s CEO informed passengers at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday that they needed to disembark by 2:00 p.m.
Some passengers and crew have taken rooms at local hotels, while others are traveling independently around Southeast Asia. Passengers paid between $120,000 and $440,000 for cabin residences and are waiting to learn what will happen to the business and the ship.
A difficult voyage ends
The Villa Vie Odyssey left Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2024 for a perpetual journey around the world. Its start was delayed by four months of maintenance work, during which passengers stayed in nearby hotels.
After finally departing, the vessel remained anchored off the coast while paperwork was completed. Despite the troubled launch and sudden suspension, passengers described their two years at sea as unforgettable.
Key points
- Villa Vie Residences suspended the cruise amid sharply higher fuel expenses.
- Passengers were told to leave the ship in Sihanoukville on the day of the announcement.
- Cabin residences cost passengers between $120,000 and $440,000.
- The operator plans to pursue restructuring and recapitalization over the next 60 days.