Dozens of American passengers have been left stranded in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the company operating the 15-year-long "Perpetual World Cruise" abruptly suspended business.
The ship, the Ville Vie Odyssey, owned by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, left hundreds of people disembarked with only seven hours' notice on Monday, October 26th.
Randy Cassingham, a passenger from California and a writer for Residentialcruising.com, described the situation in a post titled "Abandon Ship!" He noted that the eviction announcement came around 7 a.m. Eastern time.
In an internal message, Villa Vie CEO Kathy Villaba stated that the company was unable to secure the necessary fuel for continued operations, leading to the ship entering a "temporary layup." She instructed all residents to disembark by 2 p.m. that day.
Cassingham indicated that passengers were aware of ongoing problems with the ship, describing 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 criticized Villaba for not issuing an apology.
Shirene Thomas of Madison, Wisconsin, posted on Facebook that she had been left "homeless" by Villa Vie's decision, adding that the company was providing no assistance with lodging or travel arrangements. Thomas stated she was evicted at 2 p.m. after being notified at 6:30 a.m.
Villa Vie Residences issued a statement attributing the suspension to sharp increases in fuel costs in Asia. The company reported that per-cabin expenses rose from $1,800 a month to between $6,000 and $8,000. According to the company, these increased costs placed its operating model under "unsustainable financial pressure."
The company stated it was working with residents to find temporary accommodation and acknowledged the "difficult and disruptive period" for passengers and crew. Villa Vie also mentioned efforts to reduce fuel consumption, such as slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port.
Villa Vie aims to secure additional funding and restructure over the next 60 days. Crew members expressed heartbreak over the situation, with one noting that for many, the ship was a "home filled with memories, friendships, laughter, and moments that have become part of our lives."
The Ville Vie Odyssey launched in 2024, promising a "new model of global living at sea" with cabins costing up to $440,000 for the 15-year voyage, which planned to visit 147 countries. Passengers were exempt from property and state taxes.
Problems reportedly began before the ship's maiden voyage in May 2024 from Belfast, which was delayed by four months due to repairs and inspections. Despite these issues, Villa Vie had announced plans for a sister ship, the Legacy, due to set sail in 2029, with founder Mikael Petterson claiming 85 percent of Odyssey cabins were sold.
The cruise was advertised as all-inclusive, covering meals, wine, and beer, with housekeeping services provided every other week.
