U.S. Cruise Ship Strands 200 Passengers in Asia Amid Soaring Fuel Costs
A U.S. cruise ship, the MV Odyssey, has grounded itself in Cambodia, stranding 203 passengers due to skyrocketing fuel costs. This floating home, marketed as a long-term living solution at sea, has been forced to suspend its three-year voyage.
Launched two years ago, the Odyssey was sold as a permanent residence on water, with suite prices starting around $230,000. Now, it sits docked in Sihanoukville with no clear departure date.
The ship's operator, Villa Vie Residences, reported that monthly fuel expenses per cabin have surged from an average of $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 in parts of Asia. This spike is attributed to the ongoing war in Iran, which has disrupted supplies and driven up prices across Southeast Asia.
With a capacity for 650 passengers, the Odyssey has been carrying mostly American travelers along with 156 crew members. The operator attempted to mitigate losses by slowing down its itinerary and spending more time in port but failed to counteract the rising costs.
Villa Vie Residences stated they could no longer absorb the operational losses and passing the full increase onto residents was not feasible. They are now focused on supporting residents and crew while restructuring their operations.
Passengers received only seven hours' notice to disembark, leaving many to fend for themselves without assistance. Some expressed devastation and hope that a new company might take over the venture.
Paul and Lynn Montoya, a retired couple from Wyoming, boarded the ship 17 months ago in Panama. They had invested in a window cabin expecting years of travel. Paul criticized the shipowner's lack of financial sustainability and noted that rising fuel costs were just one of many issues plaguing the operation.
Residents faced repeated requests for additional funds to cover fuel and other expenses. Lynn mentioned that crew members were also unpaid, leading to frustration among passengers who felt exploited by constant financial demands.
Despite the turmoil, some passengers cherished their unique experiences aboard the Odyssey. Carol Larson and her sister Crystal Lavering, both from California, lamented the suspension of their journey after 18 months at sea. They hoped for a revival of the cruise.
Larson invested $120,000 in her cabin under a plan promising up to 15 years of living aboard. She attributed rising fuel costs to U.S. political decisions and poor management but maintained no regrets about her investment.
The Odyssey arrived in Sihanoukville last Friday and was initially scheduled to depart Wednesday. Long Dimanche, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province, indicated that refueling might allow for a departure on Saturday, though no confirmation has come from the operator.
Built in 1993 and previously operated under various names before being halted by the pandemic in 2020, the Odyssey was acquired by Villa Vie Residences in 2023. Its current voyage began in October 2024 after a refit in Belfast.
This is not the first crisis for cruise ships in Sihanoukville. In February 2020, the MS Westerdam docked after being turned away from five ports due to COVID-19 fears, carrying over 1,400 passengers, including more than 600 Americans.
The Odyssey's saga continues as passengers await clarity on their future at sea.
