Fuel Bill Hits $8,000: Residential Cruise Ship Stops in Cambodia

The Odyssey, a vessel marketed as a floating home, stopped moving last week in Cambodia. The halt forced hundreds of long-term residents to abandon their cabins. The operator blames a sharp spike in fuel prices for the stoppage.

Villa Vie Residences, a Florida-based company, reported that monthly fuel costs per cabin have jumped. Historical averages sat at $1,800. In parts of Asia, those estimates now reach $6,000 to $8,000. The company linked the price surge to the war in Iran.

Management attempted to mitigate the losses by slowing the ship’s itinerary. They also spent more time in port to reduce engine usage. These measures failed to offset the rising expenses. The company stated it could no longer carry the operating losses. It called passing the full cost to residents unrealistic.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port confirmed the ship docked on Oct. 23. The vessel arrived for a planned five-day visit. It was scheduled to proceed to Vietnam. As of Wednesday, the ship remained in port. The Odyssey carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, mostly Americans. A crew of 156 members also stayed aboard. Passengers received orders to leave the ship, while the crew’s status remains unclear.

The Odyssey launched two years ago on a three-year itinerary covering all seven continents. The company had confirmed routes running into November 2027. It also planned a second residential ship for early 2029. The statement on the current suspension did not mention the future of that second vessel.