Dozens of American passengers, some of whom had paid up to $440,000 for a 15-year dream cruise, were left stranded in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the company operating the voyage, Villa Vie Residences, abruptly suspended business.
Hundreds of people aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey were given approximately seven hours' notice to leave the ship on Monday morning, October 28. Randy Cassingham, a former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee and cruise blogger from California, described the situation on his website Residentialcruising.com as 'Abandon Ship!'. He and his wife Kit were among those forced to disembark.
Villa Vie Residences, based in Florida, stated in an official announcement that the decision to suspend operations was due to the high cost of fuel, exacerbated by geopolitical events, which created "unsustainable financial pressure." The company indicated it would seek additional funding over the next 60 days.
The Ville Vie Odyssey, launched in 2024 with a 720-capacity, was marketed as a "new model of global living at sea," allowing residents to live aboard for extended periods. The "First Perpetual World Cruise" was planned to last 15 years, visiting 147 countries, with passengers living tax-free on board aside from federal income tax.
Cassingham noted that residents were aware of mounting problems with the cruise line, stating that the announcement "didn't come out of the blue." He cited a "cascade of problems piling up on one another, from the business model to mistakes by management to the mentioned crisis in fuel cost and availability, and more." He also criticized Villa Vie CEO Kathy Villaba for failing to offer an apology.
Shirene Thomas of Madison, Wisconsin, shared on Facebook that she had been left "homeless" by the company's actions, adding that Villa Vie was offering no assistance with lodging or travel arrangements. Thomas stated she was evicted at 2 p.m. on Monday, having been notified at 6:30 a.m. that same day.
In a statement, Villa Vie explained that fuel expenses per cabin had risen dramatically, from $1,800 a month to between $6,000 and $8,000, due to sharp increases in fuel costs in Asia. The company asserted it could not pass these costs on to residents, placing its operating model under significant financial strain. Villa Vie stated it was working with residents to find temporary accommodation and was focused on supporting passengers, crew, and employees while pursuing restructuring and recapitalization efforts.
Crew members expressed their dismay. Lucas Clyne, a crew member, shared on Facebook that it was heartbreaking to see residents leave what they considered home. The cruise experience was advertised as all-inclusive, covering meals, wine, and beer, with bi-weekly housekeeping.
The Odyssey's maiden voyage, which departed Belfast in May 2024, was reportedly delayed by four months due to necessary repairs and inspections. Despite these early issues, Villa Vie had previously announced plans for a sister ship, the Legacy, scheduled to set sail in 2029, with its founder Mikael Petterson claiming at the time that 85% of cabins on the Odyssey were sold.