By Sohaib Shams
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship departed Sihanoukville early Wednesday with only about 50 crew members aboard, leaving behind more than 200 passengers who had paid tens of thousands of dollars for long-term residences at sea. The Florida-based operator, Villa Vie Residences, suspended operations last week and ordered everyone off the vessel, citing fuel price increases linked to the Iran conflict that made continued operations prohibitively expensive.
Passengers Disembarked With Belongings
Taing Sochitkrishna, head of the Sihanoukville tourism department, said around 100 passengers remained in Cambodia while most others had flown to destinations elsewhere in the region. Passengers spent Tuesday unloading their final belongings, with many expressing doubt they would return. "There are still many things on the ship that I wish I could take with me," said Shirine Thomas of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Ship Had Circled Globe for 755 Days
The vessel had been cruising continuously for at least 755 days and was one of only a few ships offering permanent residential cabins. Mary Ann Demsar, a 67-year-old retired teacher from Ontario, Canada, said the owners provided no clear information on whether the voyage would continue. "We don't get any clear indication from the owners of Villa Vie as to what is happening," she said.
Destination Unconfirmed
Some passengers and maritime tracking sites indicated the ship was bound for Singapore, though its final destination was unconfirmed. Villa Vie Residences did not respond to requests for comment. Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, who sold a business to fund a $100,000 cabin plus $3,500 monthly fees, were among those left stranded after boarding in October 2024.
