Odyssey cruise ship stops in Sihanoukville as fuel costs rise

Residents on the Odyssey, a residential cruise ship operated by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, have been told to leave the vessel following a suspension of operations in Cambodia. The ship was docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port when the company announced the halt, ending a planned three-year voyage around the seven continents.

Fuel expenses drove the decision. The company stated that monthly fuel costs per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, recently climbed to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war in Iran. Villa Vie Residences attempted to mitigate the increase by slowing the itinerary and extending port stays, but the measures did not offset the rising costs.

"We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," the company said in a statement. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees" while the business restructures.

The Odyssey carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, primarily Americans, along with 156 crew members. The vessel had a total capacity for 650 residents. Sihanoukville Autonomous Port confirmed the ship arrived on Oct. 23 for a five-day visit before it was scheduled to depart for Vietnam. The ship remained in port on Wednesday.

Passengers have been instructed to disembark, though the status of the crew remained unclear as of the latest reports. The Odyssey had a confirmed itinerary extending into November 2027. Villa Vie Residences previously planned to launch a second residential cruise ship in early 2029, but the suspension statement did not mention whether that project would proceed.