Around 200 tourists say they have been abandoned in Cambodia after a cruise ship company suddenly suspended their trip. The company gave hundreds of passengers on the ship just seven hours' notice to leave with all of their belongings.
Passengers aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, owned by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, were left 'stranded' in Sihanoukville in Cambodia with 'no help with accommodation or onward travel', the Daily Mail has reported.
Company blames fuel costs for suspension
In an official statement, Villa Vie Residences blamed the high cost of fuel due to the Iran War for the decision. This has created 'unsustainable financial pressure', and the company will seek additional funding over the next 60 days.
On cruise discussion sites, residents and former residents slammed the 'floating disaster'.
Passengers describe sudden eviction
One of the passengers who claims they were told to leave includes Californian Randy Cassingham, who writes about cruises. He was on board with his wife Kit, and wrote a post titled 'Abandon Ship!', the Daily Mail reports.
According to Cassingham, the news of the eviction 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."
Anyone who was unable to remove all of their belongings had to speak to guest services and coordinate an 'orderly return' to take them away, the Daily Mail reports add.
Passengers criticise handling of situation
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 said it was 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'.
Cassingham also slammed Villalba for failing to apologise and said: "She's the freaking CEO, and couldn't bring herself to say it."
The Daily Mail says 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.
Shirene Thomas, who is from Madison, Wisconsin, wrote on Facebook that she had been left 'homeless' by Villa Vie stopping business, reports continue. "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 details financial strain
In the message to residents, Villaba said that was all the information they had at the time, but the following day Villa Vie put out a statement explaining the 'temporary layup' was far more serious.
A statement from the company reads: "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."
The statement continues: "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."
Villa Vie has been approached for comment.
