A US cruise ship, the MV Odyssey, has suspended its operations in Cambodia due to high fuel costs, leaving 200 passengers without their floating homes. The ship's operator, Villa Vie Residences, cited surging fuel expenses as the reason for the suspension.
What happened
The MV Odyssey set sail two years ago on a three-year voyage to the seven continents, marketed as combining long-term living at sea with global travel. However, the company has been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses due to the high fuel costs. Monthly fuel expenses per cabin that historically averaged $1,800 have recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war in Iran.
The ship arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, last Friday and was scheduled to depart Wednesday, but its operator has not yet publicly confirmed a new departure date. The company is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements. However, a blogger who has been on the cruise reported that the company has done little to help passengers, leaving them to find their own accommodations in Sihanoukville.
The MV Odyssey has a capacity of 650 passengers and was carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, along with 156 crew members. The ship's operator had offered cabins for sale as permanent homes, with prices starting at around $230,000. The suspension of the voyage has left passengers without their floating homes, and the company is now focusing on supporting residents, crew, and employees while it tries to restructure.
