Image Source: NPR
Cambodia has become the unexpected stopping point in a dramatic cruise industry crisis after the MV Odyssey suspended its around-the-world voyage, leaving 203 passengers searching for temporary accommodation and answers. The ship was docked at Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand after its operator cited sharply rising fuel costs.
The Florida-based company Villa Vie Residences had promoted the Odyssey as a floating home for people seeking long-term travel and life at sea. However, the three-year journey was halted after fuel expenses climbed dramatically across parts of Asia. Passengers were told to disembark with only about seven hours’ notice, according to accounts shared with The Associated Press.
Breaking Cambodia Cruise Crisis Leaves Passengers Stranded
The Odyssey arrived at Sihanoukville last Friday and was originally expected to depart on Wednesday. Cambodian officials said the vessel could refuel and potentially leave on Saturday, although the operator had not publicly confirmed a departure date.
The ship was carrying 203 passengers, most of them Americans, as well as 156 crew members. It can accommodate as many as 650 people. Many passengers had expected to remain aboard for years, making the sudden suspension especially disruptive.
- 203 passengers were aboard when the voyage was suspended.
- The ship carried 156 crew members and has capacity for 650 passengers.
- Fuel expenses reportedly rose from about $1,800 to as much as $8,000 per cabin each month.
- The Odyssey has been docked in Sihanoukville without a confirmed sailing date.
Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs that historically averaged roughly $1,800 per cabin had reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company attributed the increase to disruptions linked to the war in Iran, which curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and placed pressure on petroleum fuel supplies.
In a statement, the company said it had tried to reduce consumption by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port. Those measures, however, were not enough to offset the losses. The operator said passing the entire increase on to residents was not a realistic option and that it was working to support passengers, crew members and employees while considering a restructuring.
Powerful Passenger Accounts Reveal Mounting Problems
Several passengers said the difficulties aboard the ship began well before the suspension. Paul and Lynn Montoya, a retired couple from Wyoming, had boarded in Panama 17 months earlier after purchasing a window cabin. They said changes to the itinerary, unreliable internet service and declining food quality had caused some residents to leave in recent months.
Lynn Montoya also said residents had repeatedly been asked to provide additional money for fuel and other expenses. She claimed crew members had not been paid and said passengers were again asked to raise funds to help the ship leave Cambodia.
“We were tired of every two to four weeks being asked for money for fuel, money for everything,” she said, describing the venture as increasingly affected by mismanagement.
Other residents remained deeply attached to the concept despite the financial turmoil. Carol Larson, 69, and her sister Crystal Lavering, 72, had lived aboard the Odyssey for 18 months in separate cabins. They described the suspension as heartbreaking and hoped a new company or resident-led effort could save the project.
Larson paid $120,000 for her cabin in installments, in addition to monthly maintenance fees. Her purchase plan allowed for the possibility of living aboard for up to 15 years. Although she acknowledged the risks of investing in a startup, she said she did not regret the experience.
Lavering said her health had improved during her time on the vessel and that she no longer needed a cane to walk. For her, the ship was more than a vacation—it had become a community and a home.
How the Residential Cruise Venture Reached Cambodia
Built in 1993, the Odyssey had operated under several names for different cruise lines before being left inactive during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Villa Vie Residences purchased the ship in 2023 and refitted it for residential cruising.
The current voyage began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024. It was originally planned to last three and a half years and visit all seven continents. A second cruise had also been tentatively scheduled to finish in August 2030.
The crisis has drawn comparisons with another vessel that sought refuge in Cambodia. In February 2020, the MS Westerdam was allowed to dock after being refused entry at five ports because of concerns about COVID-19. Cambodia was praised at the time for welcoming passengers ashore and helping arrange their return flights.
The situation involving the Odyssey is different, but it again places Sihanoukville at the center of an unexpected maritime emergency. For passengers, the immediate priorities are finding housing, recovering financial security and learning whether their floating home can sail again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the MV Odyssey voyage suspended?
Villa Vie Residences said the voyage was suspended because fuel costs surged in parts of Asia, creating operating losses the company could not continue to absorb.
How many passengers were affected in Cambodia?
The ship was carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, when the voyage was suspended in Sihanoukville.
What happened to the ship’s crew?
The Odyssey had 156 crew members aboard. Passengers said crew members had not been paid, while the operator said it was working to support residents, crew and employees.
Will the MV Odyssey leave Cambodia?
Cambodian officials said the ship could refuel and depart on Saturday, but Villa Vie Residences had not publicly confirmed a firm departure date.
What was the Odyssey marketed as?
The vessel was promoted as a residential cruise ship where people could purchase cabins and live at sea while traveling around the world.
