Residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey halts operations in Cambodia, leaving passengers stranded

The Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise vessel operated by Villa Vie Residences, stopped its three-and-a-half-year world itinerary while docked in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the company cited soaring fuel costs and the war in Iran as reasons for the suspension. The ship, which left Belfast in October 2024, had been carrying 203 passengers and 156 crew members when it was ordered to vacate the port on Tuesday with a two-hour deadline for disembarkation.

Among the passengers were five Australians, including Brisbane resident Rina Cavazza, who paid $170,000 for a berth and had 18 months remaining on her contract, and 78-year-old Frances Paroissien, who had invested over $200,000 in a 15-year lease. Cavazza said the abrupt notice left her “more numb than anything” and criticized the company’s financial handling, noting repeated cash calls to residents. Paroissien, who had previously lost $85,000 on a cancelled venture, expressed anger at the timing of the shutdown and said she had been asked for additional funds despite uncertainty about their use.

Villa Vie Residences, based in Florida, said extraordinary increases in fuel expenses—rising from an average of $1,800 to $6,000-$8,000 per cabin per month in parts of Asia—created unsustainable financial pressure. The operator also referenced a war-related impact on fuel markets as a factor in its decision.

Passengers were instructed to leave the ship by 2 p.m., prompting many to seek emergency accommodation and new travel plans. Paroissien, without a home to return to in Melbourne, has rented an apartment in Thailand for six months and plans to continue traveling in the region. Cavazza indicated she intends to pursue further travel opportunities, describing the incident as a “roadblock” rather than an endpoint.

The future of the Villa Vie Odyssey remains unclear, with the vessel still docked in Cambodia and no confirmed date for resumption of its voyage.