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Fuel costs jump from $1,800 to $8,000: Cruise ship residents forced ashore in Cambodia

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Villa Vie Odyssey was carrying 203 passengers and 156 crew members when the operator suspended services in Cambodia. Although the company previously slowed sailing speeds and prolonged port stays to conserve fuel, monthly expenses surged up to $8,000 per cabin and could not be passed along to travelers. Local authorities in Preah Sihanouk province confirmed that while some residents have already flown home, others remain in Sihanoukville as the vessel prepares to refuel and leave.

Key points

  • Villa Vie Residences plans to spend the next 60 days pursuing financial recapitalization…: Villa Vie Residences plans to spend the next 60 days pursuing financial recapitalization and restructuring to address unsustainable losses.
  • Cabin investments that ranged from $120,000 to $440,000 face immediate uncertainty as the…: Cabin investments that ranged from $120,000 to $440,000 face immediate uncertainty as the operator coordinates temporary housing ashore.
  • The ship is scheduled to refuel in Cambodia before officially departing the country on Sa…: The ship is scheduled to refuel in Cambodia before officially departing the country on Saturday.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Hundreds of people living aboard a cruise ship that had been travelling around the world for more than two years were forced to disembark in Cambodia after its operator suspended operations, citing soaring fuel costs linked to the Iran war.

The owner of the Villa Vie Odyssey, Villa Vie Residences, announced on Tuesday that it was suspending operations and disembarking passengers in Cambodia while working to arrange temporary accommodation for them, Reuters reported.

Monthly fuel expenses, which had historically averaged around $1,800 per cabin, have recently risen to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia, the company said in a statement.

“The company cannot simply pass increases of that scale on to residents, and the resulting shortfall has placed its current operating model under unsustainable financial pressure,” it said.

The ship had been cruising the world for at least 755 days, offering passengers the option to rent or buy long-term or permanent residences on board. It can accommodate up to 650 people, although its rooms were still being filled.

Reuters reported.

The vessel had 203 passengers and 156…

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