Fuel Costs Force Residential Cruise Ship to Pause Voyage in Cambodia

A residential cruise ship is stuck in Cambodia after fuel prices pushed its operator to suspend the voyage.

Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs per cabin that historically averaged $1,800 have risen to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia, and linked the increase to the war in Iran. The company said slowing the itinerary and staying longer in ports did not offset the jump.

The Odyssey docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit. It was due to sail next to Vietnam but was still at the port on Wednesday, according to the port's statement last week.

The ship carried 203 passengers of 15 nationalities, most of them Americans, plus 156 crew. Its capacity is 650 residents. Passengers have been told to disembark, and the crew's status is not clear.

Villa Vie Residences said it cannot keep carrying the resulting operating losses. It called passing the full increase to residents "not a realistic solution" and said it is now working to restructure while supporting residents, crew and employees.

The vessel had a confirmed itinerary into November 2027. Villa Vie Residences also planned a second residential ship for early 2029; its statement on the suspension did not address that vessel's future.