Luxury cruise ship suspends world voyage in Cambodia over fuel costs, stranding passengers

Summary

The Villa Vie Odyssey, a luxury cruise ship on a three-year, around-the-world voyage, has suspended operations in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, because fuel costs have surged, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark. The ship, which offers residential cabins for hundreds of thousands of dollars, launched from Belfast, Northern Ireland, three years ago. Cambodian officials told the Associated Press that it carried 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew members, and that it has a 650-passenger capacity. Florida-based Villa Vie Residences said in a news release that it was working to identify "temporary living arrangements" for people aboard. NBC News reported that the operator blamed the Iran war and rising fuel costs, and CBS News reported that the operator said it had run out of money. NDTV reported that passengers had been told to leave the ship, but that the crew's status was unclear.

Timeline

1. Sydney Morning Herald

   28 Oct 2026, 04:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a luxury cruise liner offering residential cabins for hundreds of thousands of dollars is moored in Cambodia, with its owners unable to cope with the spiralling cost of shipping fuel.

2. NDTV

   28 Oct 2026, 06:08 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that the US cruise ship Odyssey has stopped its world voyage after fuel prices surged, and that passengers have been told to leave the ship, though the crew's status was unclear.

3. NDTV

   28 Oct 2026, 07:25 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that the US luxury cruise ship has halted its world tour over fuel costs, with passengers stranded in Cambodia, and that the ship is docked in Sihanoukville.

4. BBC

   28 Oct 2026, 07:38 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that the Villa Vie Odyssey has suspended its voyage, leaving passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs, and that the operator is working with passengers on "temporary living arrangements."

5. NPR

   28 Oct 2026, 07:57 UTCSource ↗

   NPR reports that a U.S. cruise ship on an around-the-world voyage, which touted its cabins as floating homes, suspended its three-year journey in Cambodia due to fuel costs, stranding 200 passengers.

6. CBS News

   28 Oct 2026, 11:51 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that the U.S. cruise ship MV Odyssey suspended its three-year, around-the-world voyage in Cambodia due to fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark.

7. CBC

   28 Oct 2026, 14:15 UTCSource ↗

   CBC reports that a U.S. cruise ship billed as a floating home suspended its three-year global voyage in Cambodia over fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark.

8. The Guardian

   28 Oct 2026, 15:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the luxury MV Odyssey, slated for a years-long voyage around the world, suspended operations in Cambodia because of high fuel prices, leaving passengers stranded, and that Cambodian officials told the Associated Press it had 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew members.

9. NBC News

   28 Oct 2026, 21:52 UTCSource ↗

   NBC News reports that a cruise ship on a multi-year round-the-world journey left passengers stranded in Cambodia after it ceased operations, blaming the Iran war and rising fuel costs, and that Villa Vie Residences said it was working to identify "temporary living arrangements" for people aboard The Odyssey.

10. CBS News

    28 Oct 2026, 23:48 UTCSource ↗

    CBS News reports that more than 200 passengers, mostly Americans, are stranded in Cambodia after the operator of the luxury cruise ship said it ran out of money due to skyrocketing fuel costs.