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A residential cruise ship halted its around-the-world voyage in Cambodia because of fuel costs, with departure expected October 31.
The Odyssey, a residential cruise ship owned by Villa Vie Residences, has suspended its around-the-world voyage in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, due to fuel costs. The ship docked for a planned five-day visit but remains in port instead of sailing to Vietnam as scheduled.
The Odyssey carries 203 passengers and 156 crew members, with a capacity of 650 residents. Passengers have been instructed to leave the ship, while the status of the crew is unclear.
Estimated monthly fuel costs per cabin have risen to $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The available reporting does not detail how these estimates apply to the Odyssey's operating costs.
The ship is expected to refuel and depart Cambodia on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Villa Vie Residences has issued a statement on the suspension and restructuring, though the details of that statement are not part of the available reporting.
The Odyssey was built in 1993 and operated under several cruise lines before 2020. Villa Vie Residences bought the ship in 2023 and began its current residential cruise in Belfast in October 2024. The itinerary is confirmed into November 2027, and the company has planned a second residential ship to enter service in early 2029.
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Fuel-driven pause interrupts Villa Vie's multi-year residential cruise plans
The suspension interrupts a voyage within a long-term residential cruise model. Villa Vie bought the Odyssey in 2023, began its residential cruise in 2024, and has confirmed the itinerary into November 2027. The company has also planned a second residential ship for 2029. The company has issued a statement on the suspension and restructuring.
Passengers told to leave as Odyssey awaits refueling in Cambodia
Residents aboard the Odyssey at Sihanoukville were instructed to leave while the ship remained in port. The vessel was scheduled to sail to Vietnam but is now expected to refuel and depart on October 31, 2026. The status of the 156 crew members is unclear, leaving the outlook for those on board uncertain.