For people living permanently aboard a cruise ship, losing passage also means losing their homes. Residents aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey were ordered to take their belongings and leave the vessel in Cambodia.
Here's what to know
Villa Vie cited "extraordinary increases in fuel costs" as the reason for suspending operations, Futurism reported, citing Travel Gossip and other outlets.
According to Villa Vie, monthly fuel expenses had been about $1,800 per cabin before climbing as high as $8,000.
"The Odyssey will enter a temporary layup this afternoon, with crew remaining onboard to maintain the vessel and its essential systems," CEO Kathy Villalba said Tuesday in a message board post. "All residents must disembark by 2 pm today." Futurism noted that neither the announcement or a news release included an apology to residents.
More background
People's plans to move into the shipboard homes had already been disrupted in 2024. A delayed departure left residents stranded in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for months.
Passengers had also complained about abrupt cancellations that prevented them from visiting promised destinations, Futurism reported. Plus, they faced everyday problems aboard the vessel, including unreliable plumbing and spotty Wi-Fi.
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For Odyssey residents, their accommodations represented an investment and a place for the personal belongings they had brought aboard. That arrangement is the basis of residential cruising, wherein customers rent or purchase cabins to live at sea for years.
Futurism also reported that residents had not received advance warning.
What's being done?
Villa Vie said it suspended operations to avoid charging for extreme fuel expenses. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," the company stated, per Futurism.
Villalba noted the company was "unable to secure the fuel necessary to continue operations."
Where can I learn more?
Trouble in the cruise industry extends to booking scams, disputed marketing, and concerns about fuel use.
• Norwegian Cruise Line investigated scam emails containing real booking details sent to guests.
• In London, cruise leaders acknowledged burning 12 tonnes of fuel daily and admitted greenwashing.
• Antarctica tour guides quit their dream jobs as booming cruises undermined their confidence.
• Celebrity Cruises faced backlash after AI-generated brochure images sparked accusations of false advertising.
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