Cruise passengers told to leave ship as operations halt in Cambodia
The operator plans to examine restructuring and recapitalisation options over 60 days, warning that the outcome is uncertain.
About 200 passengers have been told to leave Villa Vie Odyssey in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after Villa Vie Residences halted operations. The US-based operator blamed a sharp rise in fuel expenses associated with the war involving Iran.
The company said the ship would be temporarily laid up, with crew staying on board to maintain essential systems and care for the vessel. It was coordinating arrangements for passengers to disembark and find temporary accommodation.
Villa Vie Residences said it would spend 60 days considering options for restructuring and recapitalisation, without any assurance of success. According to the operator, fuel expenditure per cabin had climbed from a historical monthly average of about US$1,800 to as much as US$8,000 in parts of Asia.
Attempts to limit consumption through a slower itinerary and longer stays in port had not compensated for the higher costs, the company said. It also ruled out passing the entire increase to residents as a realistic option.
The Japan Times reported, citing founder Mikael Petterson, that the company was paying for passengers’ accommodation and transport but had not supplied money for them to leave Cambodia. The passenger tally when operations halted was not officially confirmed. The vessel can carry up to 650 people.
Villa Vie Odyssey left Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024 for a planned global journey lasting 3.5 years and calling at nearly 150 countries. It offers cabins that passengers can buy or rent for residential use.
