A global cruise has unexpectedly stopped in Cambodia as soaring fuel prices have made continuing the journey unfeasible. The cruise, which set sail from Belfast in October 2024, was intended to be a continuous world journey with approximately 200 passengers aboard.
Many passengers had sold their homes for the opportunity to live aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey for three and a half years. Unlike typical cruise bookings, they were offered the option to purchase their cabins outright, with prices ranging from $100,000 to over $300,000, depending on the class.
However, due to escalating fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, the operator announced that passengers must disembark. Reports indicate that monthly fuel costs per cabin in some Asian regions have surged from $1,800 to $8,000.
At this time, it remains unclear what assistance passengers will receive for accommodation or whether the cruise will continue in some form, along with the possibility of refunds.
