Luxury cruise passengers stranded in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs

A luxury cruise ship on a years-long voyage around the world suspended operations because of extraordinarily high fuel costs, leaving passengers stranded in Cambodia.

The US-based operator of Villa Vie Odyssey said it was working with passengers on disembarkation plans and "temporary living arrangements".

It is unclear how many were on board, but the nearly 200 m (656ft) vessel can carry up to 650 passengers. It departed Belfast in October 2024 for a "continuous voyage around the world".

Global fuel prices have soared since the Iran war started earlier this year. The ship's operator said monthly fuel costs per cabin in parts of Asia have risen from $1,800 to as much as $8,000 (£6,000).

The company said it had taken "significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port". But those measures proved insufficient to "offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs".

"Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," it said.

The company would spend the next 60 days on "restructuring and recapitalisation", though "no outcome is assured", it said.

The Villa Vie Odyssey's voyage was expected to span 3.5 years and cover nearly 150 countries, according to its website.

Delays arose as the ship underwent repairs, leaving passengers stranded in Belfast for months and costing the company millions of pounds.

The ship was more than 750 days into its circumnavigation before it announced the suspension of its journey on Tuesday, leaving passengers stranded in Cambodia.

According to its website, the Villa Vie Odyssey has several bars and restaurants, a pool deck, and a pickleball court.

Permanent residencies in its cabins range from $120,000 to $440,000. These cabins are also available for rent from $3,500 a month.

Bloomberg reported that around 200 passengers were on board when they were ordered to disembark in Cambodia, citing the cruise operator's founder.