The Villa Vie Odyssey suspended its operations in Cambodia on Tuesday, ordering approximately 200 passengers to disembark in Sihanoukville. The vessel was more than 750 days into a voyage that began in Belfast in October 2024.
Monthly fuel costs per cabin in parts of Asia reached as much as $8,000 following a surge in global prices triggered by the Iran war earlier this year. The US-based operator stated that measures to reduce fuel consumption, such as slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, were insufficient to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs.
The ship's itinerary had been severely curtailed, and the operator is now working with passengers on disembarkation plans and temporary living arrangements. Some passengers chose to disembark and travel on land, while others remain as the company stated no outcome is assured.
The Villa Vie Odyssey is nearly 200m in length and can carry up to 650 passengers, with permanent residencies in cabins ranging from $120,000 to $440,000. The voyage was originally expected to span 3.5 years and cover nearly 150 countries.
The ship's departure faced delays due to repairs, which left passengers stranded in Belfast for months and cost the company millions of pounds. Holly Hennessey, a passenger, said, "Until they say we are done - done done - I am not giving up. I could never duplicate this lifestyle. The idea of going home? It would be so trite."
