Residential cruise ship ordered to stay in Singapore after passengers stranded in Cambodia
The Villa Vie Odyssey was impounded in Singapore following a court order, after its owners abandoned more than 200 passengers in Cambodia citing high fuel costs.
A residential cruise vessel that left over 200 passengers stranded in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, has been ordered to remain in Singapore pending legal proceedings. The ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, arrived in Singapore earlier this week and was seized by authorities.
"The vessel has been placed under arrest pursuant to a court order," Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority said in a statement. "The crew onboard are reported to be well, and arrangements for their welfare and wellbeing are being managed by the vessel's creditors. There are no passengers on board."
Owner Villa Vie Residences, based in Florida, halted operations and forced passengers to disembark, attributing the decision to sharply higher fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict. Mikael Petterson, founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie Residences, told CBS News that the ship is now being run by its creditors.
The vessel was among a small number that offered long-term or permanent residential leases, with many occupants having paid substantial sums for extended stays.