By Ahmed Abdelsalam
The Villa Vie Odyssey, marketed as the world's first residential cruise ship designed for full-time living, has been suspended in Cambodia after rising fuel costs left the operator unable to continue its around-the-world voyage. Hundreds of passengers, many of whom sold their homes to live aboard permanently, were ordered to disembark in Sihanoukville on October 26, 2026, ending a journey that had already endured a four-month delay in Belfast and numerous mechanical setbacks.
Stranded in Cambodia
Residents were notified at 6 a.m. on October 26 that they had to leave the ship by 2 p.m. the same day. The company cited high fuel prices driven by the Iran-US war as the reason for the suspension, which it described as a "temporary layup." Passengers reported being asked repeatedly to contribute extra money for fuel and other expenses, including a specific request to fund the ship's departure from Cambodia. Villa Vie Residences said it is working with residents on disembarkation and temporary housing, acknowledging the disruption for residents, crew, and employees.
Ship History and Refurbishment
The 542-foot vessel was built in 1993 in Valencia, Spain, and previously sailed as Crown Dynasty and later Braemar under Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Villa Vie Residences, a U.S.-based company, purchased the 31-year-old ship in 2023 and brought it to Belfast's Harland and Wolff shipyard — famous for building the Titanic — for extensive refurbishment. The refit added a pub, cocktail bar, business center, top-deck pool, fitness center, medical room, dining hall, and spa. Cabins were sold as "villas" with ownership guaranteed for up to 15 years or available via a pay-as-you-go plan.
Months of Delays in Belfast
After refurbishment, the ship was slated to depart May 15, 2024, but a series of technical issues — including steelwork problems in a grey water tank, the need for new rudder stocks, and gearbox faults — kept it docked in Belfast for four months. During this time, residents stayed in cabins by day but were shuttled to hotels each night. Some explored Northern Ireland, while others traveled to Spain and Greenland. Morale fluctuated; one passenger, Jenny Phenix, was removed from the cruise after raising concerns in a private WhatsApp group, with the company citing impact on community morale.
Passenger Experiences and Disputes
By September 2024, passengers said they were asked to cover their own expenses for at least seven days while the ship awaited final certifications. The CEO later offered onboard credit of up to $200 per day as compensation. Randy and Kit Cassingham, who sold their Colorado home to join the voyage, described the uncertainty as devastating but remained committed to the lifestyle. Another resident, Sharon Lane, praised the onboard community and services but later expressed concern over communication breakdowns after the Cambodia suspension.
Departure and Early Voyage Issues
The Odyssey finally left Belfast on September 30, 2024, four months behind schedule. After a brief anchor in Belfast Lough due to paperwork, it reached Brest, France, on October 3. Early ports in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco followed, but a water system failure in France left toilets non-functional for hours and prevented passengers from disembarking due to insufficient port notice. The issue was resolved, though hot water took longer to restore. The ship then sailed a 34-day Caribbean leg starting November 14.
Final Suspension and Uncertain Future
For about 750 days, the voyage proceeded relatively smoothly. However, the Cambodia stop marked a sudden end. With the ship docked indefinitely and no confirmed departure date, residents face urgent challenges arranging visas, transport, and housing. The company has not provided a timeline for resuming the circumnavigation.
