Luxury cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey detained in Singapore amid owner’s debt dispute
The Villa Vie Odyssey was arrested in Singapore after its operator failed to pay a supplier, leaving the vessel anchored off Changi Bay with crew onboard.
The luxury cruise vessel Villa Vie Odyssey has been detained in Singapore following a court order to secure a maritime claim against its US-based operator, Villa Vie Residences. Court documents obtained by CBS News list Singapore law firm Helmsman LLC as the solicitor handling the arrest.
The operator reportedly owes a supplier roughly US$500,000 (S$640,000). It is not confirmed whether the supplier engaged the law firm to enforce the claim.
The ship, built in 1993 and previously operated under various names, was acquired by Villa Vie Residences in 2023. It began a three-and-a-half-year world-wide voyage from Northern Ireland in October 2024, offering passengers the option to rent or purchase suites for the duration of the journey. Some passengers have said they paid more than $300,000 (S$384,000) for a suite.
Operations were suspended in Cambodia on Oct. 27 due to rising fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict. More than 200 passengers were given seven hours to disembark on Oct. 28. The vessel left Cambodia on Nov. 4 without passengers but with about 50 crew members, according to Taing Sochitkrishna, head of the Sihanoukville tourism department. Approximately 100 passengers remained in Cambodia, while others traveled to other regional destinations.
After being taken over by a lender, the Odyssey was moved from Cambodia to Singapore ahead of a potential auction, as reported by CBS News on Nov. 1. The ship is currently anchored near Changi Bay.