Villa Vie Residences Halts Odyssey Voyage After Fuel Costs Triple

The Odyssey, a residential cruise ship that launched a three-year global tour in 2024, has suspended its voyage. The Florida-based operator, Villa Vie Residences, made the decision after fuel costs for the vessel tripled in recent months.

Monthly fuel expenses per cabin had historically averaged $1,800. During the current conflict in Iran, those costs rose to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company stated it tried to manage the budget by slowing the itinerary and increasing time spent in port. Those measures were not enough to offset the surge in fuel prices.

Villa Vie Residences said it could not continue carrying the operating losses. The company noted that passing the full increase on to residents was not a realistic solution. Its current focus is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while it restructures.

The ship docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Cambodia on Oct. 23. The port authority initially announced a five-day visit. The vessel was scheduled to head to Vietnam but remained in the port on Wednesday.

The Odyssey carried 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, the majority of whom are Americans. A crew of 156 members also worked aboard the vessel. The ship has a total capacity of 650 residents.

Passengers have been instructed to leave the ship. The status of the crew remained unclear as of the latest reports.

The vessel had a confirmed itinerary through November 2027. Villa Vie Residences had planned to launch a second residential cruise ship in early 2029. The statement regarding the suspension of the Odyssey did not address the future of that second ship.