The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise suspended its around-the-world voyage on Tuesday, Oct. 27. More than 200 passengers who lived aboard the MV Odyssey had to leave the ship in Cambodia. The operator, Villa Vie Residences, says fuel costs forced the decision. Here is what happened, what cabins cost, and what’s next.
As of Oct 29, 2026, 6:20 AM ET. This story is still developing, and the numbers below come from the operator and from news outlets, not from court records. We will update this page as new details arrive.
Villa Vie Odyssey cruise suspended: what happened
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise left Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024. NPR reports the voyage was first meant to last about three and a half years, and was marketed as combining long-term living at sea with global travel. Villa Vie Residences, a Florida company, sold cabins that buyers could treat as permanent homes.
On Tuesday, the operator said it was suspending operations. “We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” it said in a statement, according to NPR. The ship had arrived at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, from Thailand on Oct. 23. Cambodian officials say it carried 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew.
Passengers told NPR they had seven hours’ notice to leave. AFP, citing local authorities, also reports seven hours. Business Insider quotes passengers who say eight, so the exact notice differs by account.
The ship is still docked, and NPR reports no certain departure date. A Cambodian deputy governor says it should refuel and leave on Saturday, Oct. 31. The operator has not confirmed that date.
Why the voyage stopped: the fuel costs
The operator’s explanation is fuel. According to CBS News, CEO Mikael Petterson said the war with Iran, which began in late February, pushed fuel from an average of about $700 a ton to between $2,000 and $3,000. He said the ship burns 700 to 800 tons a month. In a statement, the company said fuel per cabin rose from an average of $1,800 a month to between $6,000 and $8,000.
Petterson also told CBS that monthly expenses jumped from $400,000 to $2 million. The company slowed the itinerary and spent five or six days in each port to cut fuel use, but that did not close the gap. These are the company’s figures. We could not check them independently.
These are the company’s figures. We could not check them independently.
Petterson told CBS the ship ran out of money while it searched for a financial partner, and that the plan is to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We found no report of a filed petition. He told Business Insider that a deal with an investor fell apart last week, and that the company may seek a court-supervised restructuring or liquidate.
Some passengers tell a longer story. Paul and Lynn Montoya told AP the company was already struggling, citing itinerary changes, unreliable internet and declining food quality. Lynn Montoya said residents were asked for money every two to four weeks and that crew were not being paid. Those are their accounts. NPR could not reach the company for comment.
Villa Vie Odyssey price: what a cabin cost
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise sold cabins at several price points. NPR reports that the purchase price of a suite for the lifetime of the vessel started around $230,000. Business Insider reports that permanent cabins ran from $119,999 to $439,999. The operator’s own website still listed permanent residency from $119,999 when we checked this morning.
Carol Larson, 69, told AP she paid $120,000 in installments for her cabin. AFP notes that figure leaves out monthly maintenance fees. Her plan promised up to 15 years aboard. CBS describes the original offer as a 15-year minimum guarantee of residency.
None of the outlets we read printed the monthly fee. We cannot give you a cost per month for living aboard. The $1,800 to $8,000 figures above are what the operator says it spent on fuel per cabin. They are not what residents paid.
Villa Vie Odyssey stranded passengers: what happens now
Villa Vie Odyssey stranded passengers are now scattered. AFP reports that some have flown out of Sihanoukville while others are staying in the city. Villa Vie says it is “working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements,” per NPR.
Several passengers describe little help. Randy Cassingham told AFP the company did “absolutely nothing” for them, and that passengers had no list of hotels. Villa Vie did not respond to AFP. Benjamin Schatz, a retiree, told CBS he is “heartbroken” and that some people now have very little money.
Larson told AP she does not regret her choice. She hopes residents can find a way to buy the ship. Nothing we have seen shows that plan is in motion.
Refunds are the open question. No source we checked says whether residents will get money back, or how a bankruptcy would treat what they paid. Until the operator or a court says so, treat refunds as not yet confirmed.
What is residential cruising, and what to ask before you book
Residential cruising means buying or renting a cabin on a ship that keeps sailing, so the ship becomes your address. CBS reports that some Odyssey residents sold their homes to buy in. Villa Vie promised residents a place aboard for years, and that promise is now in doubt.
If you are curious about long cruises after the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise news, here is our view, not legal advice. Ask what is guaranteed in writing, and whether the contract lets the operator ask residents for more money. Ask what happens to your payment if the operator fails, and who pays if you must leave in hours. Keep a plan for getting home.
If you would rather book something with an end date, see our Thanksgiving trips that make sense this year, plan a long weekend in Paris, or try day trips that need no passport. You can find more Travel on High Tea Magazine too.
FAQ: what readers ask about the Villa Vie Odyssey
Where is the Villa Vie Odyssey now?
It is docked at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, with no certain departure date, per NPR. Cambodian officials say it should refuel and leave Oct. 31.
How much did a cabin cost?
The Villa Vie Odyssey price started around $230,000 for a suite, per NPR, and ranged from $119,999 to $439,999 for permanent cabins, per Business Insider.
Is the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise cancelled?
The operator calls it a suspension. CBS reports the CEO plans to file for Chapter 11. No restart date has been announced.
Will passengers get refunds?
That is not yet confirmed. No source we checked reports a refund plan.
Sources we opened this morning: CBS News, NPR and AP, AFP and Villa Vie Residences.