Mikael Petterson, CEO of the Florida‑based Villa Vie Residences, told a press briefing that soaring fuel prices—driven by the war in Iran—made it impossible to keep the 36‑meter luxury vessel, the Villa Vie Odyssey, running.
More than 200 people, who had paid between ₹1.5 million and ₹3 million for long‑term leases, were forced to disembark last week with nothing but a suitcase of memories. “I thought I’d be sailing the world for years,” said Shirine Thomas, 45, from Wilmington, N.C., as she gathered her few belongings.
The ship left Sihanoukville early on Wednesday, November 4, carrying only 50 crew members. Passengers who stayed behind were left with no clear timeline, so the local tourism office stepped in, offering temporary accommodation while the company’s representatives remained silent.
It appears the Odyssey is heading toward Singapore, according to maritime trackers. If the vessel fails to return, Singapore authorities say they may auction it off to recoup losses. Petterson, however, has hinted that the company is exploring “all options to get the vessel back.”
Legal teams are already drafting complaints against the company, and a group of displaced passengers is gathering signatures for a class‑action suit. Meanwhile, the vessel’s crew, now without passengers, are negotiating new contracts to keep the ship afloat.
The incident has sparked a debate about the safety nets for cruise‑residents and the volatility of the global fuel market, raising questions about how long‑term cruise living can truly be sustainable.