Two California sisters are among 203 passengers, most of them Americans, stranded in Cambodia after a Florida-based cruise line abruptly suspended its month-long residential cruise, citing “extraordinary” fuel costs, according to an Associated Press report and company statements.
The Villa Vie Residences ship, which had promoted a “new model of global living at sea,” offering long-duration cruises, “has suspended its operations in Cambodia as the company works to address the extraordinary increase in fuel costs and evaluate restructuring and recapitalization alternatives,” according to a company statement earlier this week.
The Fort Lauderdale-based company said it faces “unsustainable financial pressure” as fuel costs have jumped by about $5,000 per month per cabin for trips across Asia – from about $1,800 per month to as much as $8,000 per month in recent weeks – and “passing the entire increase on to residents is not a realistic solution.”
U.S. diesel fuel prices rose from an average of $3.68 a gallon a year ago to $6.32 Friday, according to AAA.
The cruise line said it was working with its guests to coordinate their temporary living arrangements, but the Associated Press reported that many disembarking passengers said they received little or no support after the cruise suddenly ended — a cruise that many planned to continue for 15 years.
The MV Odyssey sailed from Belfast two years ago, urging people to “make the Odyssey your permanent home”, with the price of a suite for the life of the ship starting at around $230,000.
Carol Larson and her sister, Crystal Lavering, both from California, were among those forced to jump ship this week. Larson told the Associated Press that she paid $120,000 in installments for her cabin, plus monthly maintenance fees. His sister bought her own cabin. Larson said he was promised the chance to live on board for up to 15 years.
“Even though we put a lot of money into it, I’m not at all sad that we did it,” Larson, 69, told the Associated Press. “It was a wonderful opportunity. If things went better, if it wasn’t for the war (with Iran) … and oil prices going through the roof, I think this is an industry that could really thrive.”
Larson said she blames President Trump for the ship’s financial woes due to the U.S.-initiated conflict with Iran, which has dramatically reduced the transportation of oil from the Middle East.
Sharon Lane, who now lives in Orange County, told NBC LA that she had been on the cruise for months but left in August for health reasons. But before that, she noticed the ship was struggling financially, asking passengers to pay extra fuel fees or cut back on food. Last week, she said she heard from friends telling her the company wasn’t helping them find temporary hotels or flights.
“You know the expression give your butt a rush? That’s how I feel,” Lane, 78, said. “On the one hand, I’m sad. On the other hand, I’m angry.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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