Passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey residential cruise were told to disembark in Cambodia this week, leaving some without a home to return to after they sold their properties to join the permanent voyage.
Randy Cassingham, who spent the last 25 months aboard the ship, said passengers are "shell-shocked" after being made to leave. He and his partner Kit had sold their Colorado home, cars and most of their belongings to live on the ship full-time. "We don't have a home to go to now," he told Times Radio.
Sudden Disembarkation in Cambodia
On Monday morning, passengers were told that the company was "unable to secure the fuel necessary to continue operations" and that the Odyssey would enter a temporary layup. All residents had to disembark by 2pm that day.
A representative for Villa Vie Residences confirmed the suspension of operations in Cambodia, citing "extraordinary increases in fuel costs" and the evaluation of restructuring and recapitalisation alternatives. The firm pointed to soaring fuel costs following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a decline in worldwide oil supplies.
Passengers Left to Fend for Themselves
Randy alleged that passengers felt "dumped" in Cambodia with little assistance. "The company has done absolutely nothing to help: we couldn't even walk out of the port, so there were shuttle buses that dropped us in the middle of town, Sihanoukville," he said, adding that he was not given a list of hotel options.
Most of the roughly 200 passengers are now looking for temporary accommodation in Sihanoukville before moving on to Thailand. Randy, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said the situation is particularly difficult. "Between drugs and radiation I have very limited energy and stamina. It was easy to be on the ship, where I could lie down in my own bed whenever needed; other kinds of travel are difficult," he said.
Company Statement and Financial Pressures
In a statement released on Tuesday, Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel expense per cabin, which historically averaged approximately $1,800, has recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company said it cannot pass increases of that scale on to residents, and the resulting shortfall has placed its operating model under unsustainable financial pressure.
The firm said it is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements, and is working to support those affected as plans develop. It added that no financing or transaction has been finalised and that no outcome is assured.
Despite the upheaval, Randy remained optimistic: "All this said, I really think the overwhelming mood is that it was a fantastic adventure, and it was great while it lasted. We made some great friends and have amazing memories, and saw things we never would have seen otherwise."
