U.S. Cruise Ship Odyssey Ends Voyage, Passengers Lose Homes

Suspension of Voyage Due to Fuel Costs

The U.S. cruise ship MV Odyssey, designed for residential world travel, ended its journey in Cambodia, disrupting the lives of hundreds onboard who treated the ship as their home. The Odyssey’s voyage combined long-term sea living with global visits across seven continents.

On October 28, 2026, the ship docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and ceased operations due to skyrocketing fuel costs. Originally, fuel expenses per cabin averaged $1,800 monthly but soared to $6,000-$8,000, particularly in Asia during the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Company’s Response and Efforts

Villa Vie Residences attempted to slow down the ship’s itinerary and increase port stays, aiming to reduce fuel use. Nevertheless, they couldn’t mitigate the financial losses incurred by high operating costs. The company acknowledged, “Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” emphasizing their commitment to supporting those affected, including residents, crew, and employees.

Impact on Passengers and Crew

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port confirmed the Odyssey’s arrival on October 23 for a planned five-day stopover. Initially intended to proceed to Vietnam, the ship remains in port. Onboard were 203 passengers from 15 countries, predominantly from the U.S., and 156 crew members. The Odyssey could house up to 650 residents. While passengers were instructed to vacate the vessel, the crew’s future remains uncertain.

Future Plans

The cruise ship had plans to continue its voyage until November 2027. Villa Vie Residences also intended to launch a second residential cruise ship by early 2029. However, the future of this new ship was not clarified amidst the Odyssey’s voyage suspension.

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