The MV Odyssey, a US cruise ship, has suspended its three-year around-the-world voyage in Cambodia due to high fuel costs. The ship, which had been carrying 203 passengers and 156 crew members, is currently docked at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville.
What happened
The ship's operator, Villa Vie Residences, stated that monthly fuel expenses per cabin had increased significantly, from an average of $1,800 to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia, due to the war in Iran. Despite efforts to reduce fuel consumption, the company was unable to offset the surging costs and has been forced to suspend the voyage.
The passengers, mostly Americans, were forced to disembark, with the company providing limited support for temporary living arrangements. A blogger on the cruise, Randy Cassingham, reported that the company had not provided adequate assistance, leaving passengers to find their own accommodations in Sihanoukville.
The ship's operator is working to restructure and has not yet confirmed a departure date from Cambodia. The MV Odyssey had been on a voyage that began in October 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was scheduled to last 3 1/2 years.
