Residential cruise ship halts in Cambodia

Hundreds of residents living aboard the Odyssey, a floating residential ship, have been instructed to disembark in Cambodia. The vessel, which operates as a mobile home for long-term tenants, stopped its three-year global itinerary due to sudden operating costs. Passengers from 15 countries, primarily American nationals, are currently leaving the ship.

Fuel prices have driven the suspension. Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, reports that monthly cabin costs have escalated from a historical average of $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company attributes this sharp increase to the ongoing war in Iran. Previous efforts to reduce expenses by slowing down and staying in port longer failed to offset the financial strain.

The Odyssey arrived at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Oct. 23 for a planned five-day visit. The ship was originally scheduled to proceed to Vietnam, but it remained docked through Wednesday. The vessel carries 203 passengers and 156 crew members, though its total capacity is 650 residents. While passengers have received orders to leave, the immediate status of the crew remains undetermined.

Villa Vie Residences stated that passing the full cost increase to residents was not a realistic solution. The company is now focusing on supporting its staff and attempting to restructure its operations. The Odyssey launched two years ago with a confirmed itinerary extending to November 2027. The operator also planned to launch a second residential cruise ship in early 2029, but its latest statement did not clarify the future of that project.