Cambodia: The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship has departed Cambodia without passengers after more than 200 people were forced to leave the vessel following a suspension of operations linked to rising fuel costs.
The ship sailed from the port town of Sihanoukville early on November 4, with around 50 crew members on board. Taing Sochitkrishna, head of the Sihanoukville tourism department, confirmed the departure and noted that the vessel had left without passengers.
More than 200 passengers were living on board after paying tens of thousands of dollars for the opportunity to stay at sea for years. The ship’s owner, Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, suspended operations last week and required passengers to disembark, citing a sharp rise in fuel prices linked to the Iran war.
The decision brought an abrupt interruption to the long-term residential cruise experience. Many passengers had expected to live aboard the vessel for an extended period rather than take a conventional holiday. Some spent years travelling on the ship as it moved between destinations around the world.
The ship’s next destination remained unclear after its departure from Cambodia. Some passengers and maritime tracking websites indicated that the vessel was heading towards Singapore. However, no confirmed destination was available at the time of departure.
Sochitkrishna remarked that around 100 passengers remained in Cambodia after the disembarkation. Most of the others had travelled to different destinations across the region. Passengers removed their remaining belongings from the vessel on November 3, and many added that they did not expect to return to the ship.
The Villa Vie Odyssey spents at least 755 days cruising around the world. It was among a small number of vessels offering long-term residential arrangements. Passengers could rent or purchase accommodation on board, with the option of living at sea for years or even permanently.
Villa Vie Residences did not respond to requests for comment sent by email or telephone. The company has not provided further details about the vessel’s next journey or when operations might resume. Around 100 passengers remained in Cambodia following the ship’s exit, while the vessel continued its journey with only crew members aboard.
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