PHNOM PENH – A U.S. cruise ship named the Odyssey has temporarily stopped its operations in Cambodia. This decision comes as a shock to many, as hundreds of passengers have been forced to leave their unique floating homes due to soaring fuel costs.
The Odyssey embarked on its journey two years ago, promising a three-year adventure that would take passengers to all seven continents while allowing them to live at sea. It’s a lifestyle that combines travel with the comforts of home, attracting many long-term travelers.
However, the Florida-based company behind the Odyssey has faced unexpected challenges. Fuel costs for each cabin, which used to average around $1,800 per month, have skyrocketed to between $6,000 and $8,000 in parts of Asia, largely due to ongoing conflicts and rising global fuel prices. Villa Vie Residences, the operator of the Odyssey, attempted to mitigate these costs by slowing down the ship’s itinerary and spending more time in port, but these efforts weren’t enough to counteract the financial strain.
In a statement, the company expressed their inability to continue absorbing these operational losses. They mentioned that passing the full fuel cost increase onto passengers was not a viable option, emphasizing their commitment to support residents, crew, and employees during this difficult time while they work on restructuring the operation.
The Odyssey docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on October 23 for what was supposed to be a five-day stay. Although it was scheduled to head to Vietnam, it has remained in port as the situation unfolds.
Currently, the ship is home to 203 passengers from 15 different nationalities, with the majority being Americans. It also has a crew of 156 members, while the total capacity of the ship is 650 residents. Passengers have been informed that they need to disembark, but the situation for the crew remains uncertain.
The Odyssey had a planned itinerary extending into November 2027, and there were plans for a second residential cruise ship to begin operations in early 2029. However, the recent announcement has left many questions unanswered regarding the future of this second vessel.
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This version has corrected the date when the voyage was expected to end from 2030 to 2027.
