Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship stranded in Cambodia as fuel costs soar

The company said no outcome is guaranteed

Operator Villa Vie Residences confirmed to the BBC that passengers were ordered to disembark in Sihanoukville, a Cambodian port city.

The company, which is based in the United States, said it could no longer absorb the rising cost of keeping the ship moving.

The Villa Vie Odyssey is nearly 200 metres (656ft) long and can carry up to 650 passengers, though only around 200 were on board when the order came.

In October 2024, it left Belfast and it was for a voyage its operator had billed as lasting 3.5 years and covering nearly 150 countries.

The ship, by the time it stopped this week, was more than 750 days into that journey.

The Villa Vie Odyssey is seen off the Northern Irish coast having departed Belfast in October of 2024. Credit: Getty Images

Why fuel costs forced the Villa Vie Odyssey to stop

Following the Iran war which began in February of this year, global fuel prices have climbed sharply.

Villa Vie Residences said the monthly fuel bill per cabin in parts of Asia had risen from $1,800 to as much as $8,000 (£6,000).

According to the company, it had already slowed its route and spent longer in port to save money. That was not enough to offset the rise.

"Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," it said.

What happens next for Villa Vie Odyssey passengers

Villa Vie Residences is now helping passengers arrange onward travel and temporary housing in Sihanoukville, a city better known lately as a hub for online scam centres than as a cruise stop.

While admitting that "no outcome is assured", the company said it would spend the next 60 days on restructuring and recapitalisation.

Passenger Holly Hennessey, travelling with her cat, Captain, told the BBC she never expected to end up in Cambodia.

"It was not on my bingo card of places where I'd be spending a lot of time," she said.

Is the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise over for good?

Officially, it is not yet over for good.

Villa Vie Residences says it is working through a 60-day restructuring and recapitalisation process, but admits no outcome is guaranteed.

Why did the Villa Vie Odyssey stop in Sihanoukville, Cambodia?

Rising fuel costs made the route unaffordable.

Passengers were ordered off the ship in the Cambodian port city, where the operator is now arranging hotels and other temporary living arrangements while it decides its next move.