Floating Homes: Fuel Spike Halts Odyssey in Cambodia

The Odyssey, a U.S. cruise ship serving as a floating home for 203 passengers, has stopped moving in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The vessel, which was scheduled to head to Vietnam, remains docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port as of Wednesday. Passengers have been instructed to leave the ship, while the status of the 156 crew members remains unclear.

The ship launched two years ago on a three-year itinerary covering all seven continents. Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, marketed the experience as a combination of long-term living and global travel. The vessel has a total capacity for 650 residents, though it currently carries passengers from 15 nations, with the majority being Americans.

The suspension stems from a sharp rise in energy costs. Monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, have recently climbed to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia during the war in Iran. The company attempted to mitigate the financial impact by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, but these measures did not offset the surge.

In a statement, the operator said it could no longer sustain the operating losses. The company noted that passing the full cost increase to residents was not a realistic solution. Its current focus is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while it works to restructure its operations.

The Odyssey had a confirmed schedule that ran into November 2027. Villa Vie Residences also planned for a second residential cruise ship to enter service in early 2029. The company's announcement regarding the suspension of the Odyssey's voyage did not mention whether the second ship would still launch on schedule.