A residential cruise ship that has been continuously circling the world for more than two years has evicted its passengers in Cambodia after soaring fuel prices in the aftermath of the Iran war made it impossible to continue the voyage.
The Florida-based operator of the luxury Villa Vie Odyssey announced Tuesday that it has ceased operations in Cambodia and is working on temporary housing arrangements for its residents. Many of the residents own cabins on board the ship and live there permanently.
“Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including delaying journeys and increasing time spent in port,” Villa Vie Residences said in a statement.
“These measures were not sufficient to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we were unable to sustain the resulting operating losses.”
CNN has reached out to Villa Vie Residences for comment.
The Odyssey has been sailing since leaving Belfast, Northern Ireland, more than two years ago after months of delays. The 640-foot vessel is described as an “intimate” vessel that offers a “new way of life” reaching “parts of the world that no other ship can access.”
According to Villa Vie’s website, a five-year stay on the Odyssey starts at $59,999, and a permanent cabin costs $119,999. Owners also pay a monthly fee that covers food, drinks, Wi-Fi, medical visits, housekeeping, and other expenses. Prices currently range from $3,299 to $9,500, depending on the suite. Passengers can also rent cabins starting at $3,499 per month.
The ship was scheduled to circumnavigate the globe forever, visiting more than 400 destinations, according to its website.
However, rising fuel costs due to the Iran war and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz are creating “unsustainable financial pressures,” Villa Vie Residences said in a statement.
The company said monthly fuel costs per room have increased from about $1,800 to as much as $8,000 in parts of Asia, which are heavy importers of energy from the Middle East.
“Passing on the entire increase to residents is not a realistic solution,” Villa Vi said, adding that the company is working on “restructuring and recapitalization” over the next two months, but “results are not guaranteed.”
Holly Hennessy, who has been on board the Odyssey with her cat, the captain, since it set sail, said residents were given less than a day’s notice to disembark, but the writing was on the wall.
“It was an incredibly tough post-war situation,” Hennessy said, noting that residents were asked to pay fuel surcharges in May. She added that the Odyssey has reduced cooling to conserve energy, making it uncomfortable to stay on board.
Still, she said the opportunity to live on board was “invaluable.”
“It hasn’t been sustainable since its inception,” Hennessy said. “That doesn’t take away from the memories, adventures, and special moments of being a true global citizen.”
Sharon Lane, a retiree from California who bought a cabin on the Odyssey, told CNN in June that she planned to live on board as long as the ship was in operation. Last year, the cruise company estimated that the ship had 15 years left to sail.
“This is home,” Lane said, putting his life’s savings into the cabin. “I just love boats and live for it.”
