A luxury cruise ship carrying 203 passengers has suspended its round-the-world voyage in Cambodia after soaring fuel prices pushed its operator into financial difficulties.
According to The Guardian and the Associated Press, the MV Odyssey is docked at Sihanoukville port, with passengers facing uncertainty over when their journey might resume.
The ship, operated by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, began its continuous world voyage in Belfast in October 2024.
“Extraordinary increases in fuel costs have placed our current operating model under unsustainable financial pressure,” the company said in a statement.
The operator said it was arranging temporary accommodation for passengers while exploring financial restructuring options over the next 60 days.
Fuel costs have risen sharply since the US war with Iran began in February, disrupting global oil supplies.
The company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin in parts of Asia had increased from $1,800 to as much as $8,000.
Some passengers had invested heavily in the residential cruise, purchasing cabins for long-term stays.
Carol Larson, 69, told the Associated Press she paid $120,000 for her cabin and had lived aboard for 18 months.
Despite the disruption, Larson said she did not regret her decision: “Because it was a startup company, I believe that it was a risk,” she said.
