Passengers on a live-aboard round-the-world cruise say they were abruptly asked to leave the ship and given solely hours to disembark.
Villa Vie Residences, which operates the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, stated on Tuesday it had halted operations as a consequence of surging gasoline prices.
The ship was docked on the port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia when the announcement was made, with passengers saying they got solely eight hours to disembark.
“On October 27, 2026, we obtained discover from the CEO at round 6 a.m. that each one residents needed to disembark by 2 p.m. that day,” passengers Lanette Canen and John Bodin informed Enterprise Insider by electronic mail.
Canen and Bodin have been on the Odyssey because it first set sail in September 2024 and run a YouTube channel known as Dwelling Life on a Cruise about their experiences on board.
“We knew leaving was a risk, however the eight-hour discover nonetheless shocked us,” they stated.
The couple shared a video on their YouTube channel that seems to point out the second a workers member introduced that passengers should depart the ship.
“Sadly, they had been unable to safe the gasoline essential to proceed operations,” a male voice says within the video.
A discover on the Villa Vie Residences web site says the corporate is working with residents to rearrange short-term residing preparations and that it’s evaluating restructuring choices over the following 60 days.
Mikael Petterson, government chairman of Villa Vie Residences, informed Enterprise Insider he understood residents’ emotions of shock and disappointment.
“I get it. I get it. I really feel terrible,” he stated in a cellphone interview. “They’re relying on me to make the selections right here and there is nothing else I am targeted on. I am the villain within the story, however I am doing every part I can to help the residents on an answer ahead.”
Petterson stated that till final week, he was in talks with a possible investor and was anticipating a brand new infusion of money. When the deal fell aside, he stated, the corporate was out of choices.
Villa Vie Residences Chief Government Kathy Villalba did not instantly reply to requests for remark.
Hovering gasoline prices
TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP by way of Getty Photos
Villa Vie Residences stated in an announcement Tuesday that the surging cost of fuel for the reason that starting of the Iran warfare had made working the cruise liner more and more tough.
The corporate stated its month-to-month gasoline bills per cabin, which had beforehand averaged about $1,800, had risen as a lot as 344% in elements of Asia, to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000.
“Because the battle started in late February, we have now taken vital steps to cut back gasoline consumption, together with slowing the itinerary and spending extra time in port,” Villa Vie Residences stated.
“These measures haven’t been sufficient to offset the extraordinary enhance in gasoline prices, and we have now been unable to proceed carrying the ensuing working losses.”
On August 1, Villalba, the CEO, despatched residents a message titled “Pressing operational replace” on an inner messaging platform. Within the message, she referenced a “gasoline contribution” that had been beforehand requested of residents. Enterprise Insider has seen a screenshot of the message.
“When the gasoline contribution was requested a number of months in the past, participation was not common,” she wrote in the message. “The contributions obtained helped some, however they coated solely a part of the extraordinary enhance in gasoline prices.”
Villalba wrote that the “cash-flow” problem had continued, and the Odyssey wanted 650 metric tons of gasoline, including that gasoline costs had nearly doubled.
“We’ve got now reached a important level. The dearth of full participation, mixed with the unprecedented enhance in gasoline prices, means we should make rapid and inventive operational selections to protect the voyage,” her message stated.
It continued, “We’re asking each Resident who didn’t beforehand contribute to please accomplish that now. We’re additionally asking those that are capable of present extra help to contemplate serving to with this rapid gasoline requirement.”
Villalba described the monetary want as “actual, rapid, and essential to hold Odyssey shifting.” It went on, “This can be a second when preserving our dwelling and persevering with the voyage requires help past contractual minimums from those that are capable of present it.”
Residents scrambled to go away their cabins
Among the many passengers requested to disembark on Tuesday with only some hours’ discover was Barbara Fiegel, 62, who has lived together with her accomplice aboard the ship since December 2024.
“Everyone’s simply shocked, all people’s simply saddened by this entire problem,” she stated. “We’re nonetheless processing, attempting to debate what we’ll do.”
Fiegel stated she and her accomplice booked a resort room in Cambodia, then returned to the ship Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon to empty their secure and pack their belongings. “At present, as we approached, as we went again on the shuttle again to the ship, I could not cease crying,” she stated.
They plan to return on Thursday to gather their remaining objects. Fiegel described the environment on the Odyssey as a “ghost city.”
Joel Greiff, 57, moved aboard the ship initially of the month and deliberate to stay on the ship for 10 or 20 years or extra. “I don’t suppose that might be taking place,” he stated.
When residents had been informed to disembark, Greiff emptied his cabin. “I personally grabbed every part,” he stated.
He stated he wish to return if Villa Vie Residences resumes operations. If not, he’s planning to maneuver to Thailand. Within the meantime, he has rented an condominium in Cambodia for a month.
Greiff stated he plans to return to the Odyssey on Thursday to help different residents and “assist with their baggage, assist them discover a place, and simply begin getting them and all their stuff off the ship.”
Jacob Shamsian contributed to this story.
Have you ever spent any time on the Villa Vie Odyssey as a cabin proprietor, renter, or workers member? When you’ve got a narrative to share, get in contact with this reporter: jzitser@businessinsider.com.
