A residential cruise ship halted operations in Cambodia on Tuesday amid soaring fuel costs, leaving passengers in limbo after the U.S.company that operates the vessel ordered them to disembark.In a news release, Florida-based Villa Vie Residences said it was working to identify “temporary living arrangements” for people aboard The Odyssey, a 642-foot cruise ship that launched from Belfast three years ago and promised passengers “an unparalleled lifestyle of luxury and exploration” as it toured the planet.Cabins on The Odyssey were for sale or rent.According to the company, the ship can accommodate 650 residents, but it isn’t clear how many were on board Tuesday or where in Cambodia they disembarked.
An executive with the company, Mikael Petterson, declined to provide additional details in an email to NBC News.Earlier this year, in a release announcing the company’s second residential cruise ship, Petterson said The Odyssey was 85% sold.In Tuesday’s release, the company said it had taken significant measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption, but those steps had failed to offset the spike in costs.The Odyssey docked at Harland & Wolf ship repair facility in Belfast Harbour, Northern Ireland, in 2024.
Peter Morrison / AP“Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” the company said.“Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while we work toward restructuring and recapitalization over the next 60 days.
That work is ongoing, and no outcome is assured.”Randy Cassingham, a resident on the boat, wrote in a blog post that he learned his journey was over after a company official posted a note on a message board for the ship shortly after 7 a.m.local time Monday.For SubscribersFOR SUBSCRIBERSYes, we’re already talking about 2028FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmy Acton says she’s learning new things about her childhood in wake of attack adFOR SUBSCRIBERSAs Tennessee manhunt continues, sister of escaped murderer�...