203 Passengers Stranded in Cambodia as 3.5-Year World Cruise Runs Out of Money

203 passengers aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey have been forced to disembark in Cambodia after the operator suspended its planned three-and-a-half-year world cruise amid rising fuel costs and financial troubles.

The Florida-based company, Villa Vie Residences, halted the ship’s operations in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after soaring fuel expenses made the voyage increasingly difficult to sustain, AFP reported. The vessel arrived at the Cambodian port on October 23 for a planned five-day stop before continuing to Vietnam. However, passengers were told to leave the ship on October 26.

The company is now exploring restructuring and new financing options, but has warned that there is no guarantee these efforts will succeed. It is helping residents arrange disembarkation and temporary accommodation while working on restructuring and recapitalisation over the next 60 days. The operator has not confirmed when the voyage might resume.

Fuel costs have been a major factor behind the suspension. Villa Vie Residences said its monthly fuel expenses, which historically averaged around $1,800 per cabin, had risen to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company attempted to control spending by slowing the vessel and spending more time in ports, but these measures failed to offset the increase. Passing the full additional cost on to residents was not considered a realistic option.

The ship’s journey had faced difficulties even before departure. The Villa Vie Odyssey was delayed by around four months while undergoing repairs in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before beginning its global voyage in October 2024.

The vessel can accommodate up to 650 residents, but 203 people were aboard when operations were suspended. For many, the ship was more than a holiday destination, with some purchasing cabins as permanent homes and others paying for long-term stays.

Cabin prices ranged from approximately $120,000 to $440,000, depending on the accommodation. The concept offered residents the opportunity to live at sea while travelling between destinations worldwide.

The voyage was scheduled to continue until November 2027. Its sudden suspension has left residents searching for temporary accommodation in Cambodia while awaiting clarity on the ship’s future.