By Islam El-Sakka
The residential cruise ship The Odyssey halted operations in Cambodia on Tuesday after soaring fuel costs forced its operator, Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, to order all passengers and crew to disembark. The 642-foot vessel, which launched from Belfast three years ago, had promised residents “an unparalleled lifestyle of luxury and exploration” as it circled the globe.
Passengers Ordered to Disembark
Villa Vie Residences said in a news release that it was working to identify “temporary living arrangements” for those aboard. The ship can accommodate 650 residents, though the company did not disclose how many were on board or the exact disembarkation location in Cambodia. Executive Mikael Petterson declined to provide further details.
Fuel Costs and Financial Strain
The company said it had taken significant measures to reduce fuel consumption but could not offset the spike in costs. Global oil prices have surged since the war with Iran began this year, reaching their highest levels in months. “Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” the release stated, adding that the focus is on restructuring and recapitalization over the next 60 days with no assured outcome.
Residents React
Resident Randy Cassingham, who runs ResidentialCruising.com, wrote in a blog post that a message board notice informed passengers of a “temporary lay up” and a 2 p.m. disembarkation deadline. Pamela Reckamp, who rented a cabin with her husband, said she was not surprised. She recalled a September meeting where a company official asked cabin owners to help raise $1 million to leave Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, warning that the ship had only four days of fuel left. Reckamp said she felt terrible for residents and staff but added, “We dodged a bullet.”
Legal Challenges
In a lawsuit filed last year, a cabin buyer who paid $469,000 accused Villa Vie Residences of fraud, alleging the company misrepresented its financial stability. The suit claims the business model was “precarious” and seeks a jury trial and damages exceeding $100,000. Villa Vie Residences has denied the allegations, and the case is ongoing.
