Cruise Ship MV Odyssey Suspends Operations in Cambodia as Fuel Prices Climb

The operator of the MV Odyssey has suspended the ship's operations in Cambodia, leaving passengers stranded at the port of Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand. The Guardian reported the suspension on October 28, 2026, saying it came because of high fuel prices.

The ship was carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew members when operations stopped. It has a capacity of 650 passengers. Its operator, Villa Vie Odyssey, is based in Florida. The departure date for the ship is unclear.

The MV Odyssey began a continuous voyage around the world from Belfast in October 2024, and it was on a three-year trip when it suspended operations, according to ABC News. The company describes the vessel as a residential cruise, one that combines the comforts of home with travel. Its website says the voyage visits 425 destinations.

The operator said the monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had risen to as much as $8,000, from $1,800. The rise comes during a wider energy shock. The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping passage for oil, has been effectively closed since February 28, the start of the US war on Iran. Oil prices climbed above $117 per barrel in October 2026.

The operator said it is coordinating disembarkation, meaning passengers leaving the ship, and temporary living arrangements. It also said it is evaluating restructuring and recapitalization alternatives over the next 60 days. Restructuring is the reorganising of a company's debts and obligations, and recapitalization is the process of changing how it is funded. The announcement was published on the company's website under the title "Villa Vie Residences Suspends Operations in Cambodia as It Pursues Restructuring and Recapitalization."

Reuters reported that an inside villa on the Villa Vie Odyssey costs $120,000.