Hundreds of tourists have been left stranded in Cambodia after Villa Vie Residences, the company operating a 15-year-long world cruise, suddenly suspended the trip. Passengers aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, owned by the Florida-based company, have been left in Sihanoukville with no help with accommodation or onward travel, according to reports.
Passengers given seven hours' notice
Residents on the ship were given just seven hours' notice to leave with all of their belongings after a '6.30am' announcement on an internal message board, the Daily Mail reported. In an official statement, Villa Vie Residences blamed the high cost of fuel due to the Iran War for the decision, saying it created 'unsustainable financial pressure'. The company said it will seek additional funding over the next 60 days.
Californian Randy Cassingham, who writes about cruises, was on board with his wife Kit. He wrote a post titled 'Abandon Ship!', the Daily Mail reported. According to Cassingham, the news arrived around 7am Eastern time on Monday, October 26. Posted on the internal messaging board by Villa Vie chief executive Kathy Villaba, it read: "Good morning, everyone. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the fuel necessary to continue operations. As a result, the Odyssey will enter a temporary layup this afternoon, with crew remaining onboard to maintain the vessel and its essential systems. All residents must disembark by 2pm today."
Residents slam 'floating disaster'
On cruise discussion sites, residents and former residents slammed the 'floating disaster'. Cassingham wrote that residents on the Odyssey had been 'well aware of the problems' on board and the announcement 'didn't come out of the blue'. He described it as a 'cascade of problems piling up on one another, from the business model to mistakes by management to the mentioned crisis in fuel cost and availability, and more'. He also criticised Villalba for failing to apologise, saying: "She's the freaking CEO, and couldn't bring herself to say it."
Shirene Thomas, from Madison, Wisconsin, wrote on Facebook that she had been left 'homeless' by Villa Vie stopping business. "This time in Cambodia," she said. "Note that as per usual Villa Vie has put their spin on things; they are offering no help with lodging, travel arrangements or anything." According to Thomas, she was 'evicted' at 2pm on Monday. She wrote: "They told us at 6.30am!"
Company statement on fuel costs
The Daily Mail reported that the ship was launched in 2024, with the 720-capacity Villa Vie Odyssey promising a 'new model of global living at sea' by allowing residents to live on board for months or years at a time.
In a statement, Villa Vie Residences said: "Villa Vie Residences today announced that it has suspended operations in Cambodia as the company works to address extraordinary increases in fuel costs and evaluate restructuring and recapitalization alternatives. Fuel costs have risen sharply in the regions where the company has been operating. On an equivalent per-cabin basis, monthly fuel expense that historically averaged approximately $1,800 has recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company cannot simply pass increases of that scale on to residents, and the resulting shortfall has placed its current operating model under unsustainable financial pressure. The company is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements. Villa Vie Residences recognizes that this is a difficult and disruptive period for residents, crew members, and employees, and is working to support those affected as plans develop.
"Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port. Those measures have not been enough to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses. Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while we work toward restructuring and recapitalization over the next 60 days. That work is ongoing, and no outcome is assured."
Villa Vie Residences says it "continues to evaluate potential paths forward, but no financing or transaction has been finalized", and that "the company will provide further updates as material developments occur".
On Facebook, crew members told how they were 'heartbroken' at the news, including Lucas Clyne, said the Daily Mail. He wrote: "As a crew member of Villa Vie Residences, it hurts to see residents leaving the place they have called home. For many people, this is not just a ship or a place to live. It is a home filled with memories, friendships, laughter, and moments that have become part of our lives."
