Cruise Fuel Costs Hit $8,000, Stranding 203 Residents in Cambodia
The Odyssey halted its three-year global tour after Asian fuel prices tripled, leaving long-term passengers to leave the vessel in Sihanoukville.
By Fatou Mitchell ·
Fuel costs for a single cabin on the Odyssey reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. This sharp increase forced the U.S. cruise line to suspend its residential world voyage in Cambodia. The ship, which serves as a home for long-term residents, halted operations in Sihanoukville. Passengers who have lived aboard for two years were told to leave their floating residences.
Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, stated that historical monthly fuel expenses averaged $1,800 per cabin. The surge in costs occurred during the war in Iran. The company attempted to manage the financial strain by slowing the itinerary. It also planned to spend more time in port to reduce consumption. The strategy failed to offset the rising fuel bills. The company said it could not pass the full increase on to residents.
“We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” the company said in a statement. It added that its focus is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while it restructures. The vessel docked in Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on October 23 for a five-day visit. The ship was scheduled to head to Vietnam but remained in the port on Wednesday. The port authority confirmed the arrival last week.
The Odyssey carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities. Most of the residents are Americans. The ship also employed 156 crew members. The vessel has a maximum capacity of 650 residents. Passengers have been instructed to leave the ship. The status of the crew members remains unclear as of the latest reports.
The company launched the Odyssey two years ago on a three-year voyage to the seven continents. The marketing campaign promoted the ship as a combination of long-term living and global travel. The confirmed itinerary extended into November 2027. The operator previously planned to introduce a second residential cruise ship in early 2029. The recent statement regarding the suspension did not address the fate of that second vessel.
The Odyssey has been at sea since 2024. The suspension ends the planned three-year journey early. Residents who bought cabins on this vessel are now off the ship. The company continues to work on a restructuring plan. The next steps for the 203 displaced passengers and 156 crew members depend on that process.
