Founder of 'Endless Cruise' Blames Trump's Iran War for Collapse

Mikael Petterson, the founder of Villa Vie Residences and its "endless cruise" ship the Odyssey, has stated he is the "villain" in the story of the voyage's collapse but asserts that former U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran was the ultimate cause.

Around 200 passengers were given seven hours to pack their belongings and disembark the Odyssey in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, this week after Villa Vie Residences announced it had suspended operations. The ship, which departed Northern Ireland in October 2024, was intended for a continuous voyage with residents able to rent or purchase cabins for life.

Petterson, who launched the company in 2023, apologized for the collapse and stated he was doing everything possible to support the passengers. However, he pointed to rising oil prices, exacerbated by Middle East conflict, as the reason the cruise could not continue under its current budget. Villa Vie stated that per-cabin monthly fuel expenses had surged from an average of $1,800 to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia, a "cascading effect" that impacted the cruise's sustainability.

He specifically blamed "nobody that's tried residential cruising has succeeded and we have gone further than anyone else," but added, "I think we would have been absolutely fine and we would have seen this through, if there was no Iran war." Petterson claimed that escalating oil prices due to disruption to supply routes, dwindling supplies, and destroyed energy infrastructure sent prices skyrocketing.

Passengers recounted turmoil and a lack of communication, with some describing being "coerced" into providing additional funds. The company had previously requested collective loans from passengers, including a $2.2 million request in April and further requests in September and recently for funds to cover fuel costs. Passengers reported that these funds were not returned.

Conditions on the ship reportedly deteriorated, with services like internet and television being interrupted. Crew members also began disclosing that their payments had been stalled, leading some residents to voluntarily contribute funds to support them. The company's statement indicated that it could not pass on such significant fuel cost increases to residents, placing its operating model under unsustainable financial pressure.

The Odyssey was planned to visit over 400 ports with an "around-the-world" trip every three and a half years. Petterson acknowledged the dire situation for his clients, stating that they were "counting on me to make the decision here, and there's nothing else I'm focused on."