Fuel spike forces Odyssey cruise to halt in Cambodia

Residents on the Odyssey must now find a new place to live. The U.S. cruise ship suspended its global voyage last week in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, due to a sharp rise in fuel prices.

Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, launched the vessel two years ago on a three-year tour of all seven continents. The company marketed the trip as a combination of long-term housing and international travel. However, the company said it can no longer cover the operating losses.

Monthly fuel costs for a single cabin historically averaged $1,800. During the war in Iran, prices in parts of Asia climbed to an estimated $6,000 or $8,000. The operator attempted to lower spending by slowing the itinerary and staying in port longer. These measures did not offset the price surge.

The company stated that passing the full cost increase to residents was not a realistic solution. It is currently working to restructure while it supports the crew and passengers. The vessel docked on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit. It was originally scheduled to sail for Vietnam but remained in port on Wednesday.

The ship carried 203 passengers from 15 countries. Most of the residents are Americans. A total of 156 crew members also worked on board. The vessel has a maximum capacity for 650 residents.

Passengers have received instructions to leave the ship. The company has not yet clarified the status of the crew members. The Odyssey had a confirmed schedule that would have continued until November 2027.

The operator also planned to launch a second residential cruise ship in early 2029. The announcement regarding the suspension of the Odyssey did not address the fate of that second vessel.