US cruise ship pauses multiyear voyage in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs

The MV Odyssey, a cruise vessel owned by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, stopped its around-the-world itinerary in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after fuel costs surged. The company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which had averaged about $1,800, climbed to an estimated $6,000-$8,000 in parts of Asia, making the voyage financially unsustainable.

Villa Vie Residences said it attempted to curb consumption by slowing the ship and extending port stays, but the measures were insufficient. > "We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," the operator stated, adding that passing the full increase on to residents was not realistic.

The ship, which departed Belfast in October 2024 on a planned three-and-a-half-year cruise, carried 203 passengers—mostly Americans—and 156 crew members, according to Cambodian officials. Passengers reported receiving only a few hours' notice before disembarking and having to arrange their own accommodation.

Travelers described various challenges during the voyage, including itinerary changes, intermittent internet service, and concerns about food quality. Some expressed hope that a new operator or a resident-led initiative might revive the project. One passenger, who purchased a cabin for $120,000 in installments, said she remained positive about the experience.

The vessel, built in 1993 and acquired by Villa Vie Residences in 2023, offered long-term residential cabins priced from about $230,000. Cambodian authorities indicated the ship was expected to refuel and depart on Saturday, though the operator had not confirmed a specific departure date.