US Residential Cruise Ship Halts World Voyage in Cambodia as Fuel Costs Surge

A U.S. cruise ship built around long-term living at sea has suspended its operations in Cambodia, forcing hundreds of passengers to leave the vessel they called home. The company behind it blames a steep rise in fuel costs.

The Odyssey set out two years ago on a three-year journey to all seven continents. It was marketed as a way to combine permanent residence at sea with global travel.

Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based company that operates the ship, said fuel expenses per cabin have jumped. Monthly costs that historically averaged $1,800 have recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia, a rise the company linked to the war in Iran.

The company said it tried to cut fuel use by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, but those steps could not make up for the surge. "We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," it said. It added that passing the full increase on to residents is "not a realistic solution." The company said its focus is now on supporting residents, crew and employees while it attempts to restructure.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port said in a statement last week that the ship docked on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit. The vessel was due to continue to Vietnam, but it was still in the port on Wednesday.

The ship was carrying 203 passengers of 15 nationalities, most of them Americans, along with 156 crew members. Its capacity is 650 residents. Passengers have been told to leave the ship, while the status of the crew remains unclear.

The Odyssey had a confirmed itinerary running into November 2027. Villa Vie Residences had also planned for a second residential cruise ship to enter service in early 2029. However, the company's statement on the suspension did not address the future of that second vessel.