Cruise Logistics: Odyssey departs Cambodia after passenger evacuation
The vessel left Sihanoukville with crew aboard following a suspension of its three-year global voyage due to fuel costs.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
The MV Odyssey has left Cambodia, ending a week of uncertainty for the vessel and its former passengers.
Tang Sochetkresna, director of the Tourism Department of Preah Sihanouk province, confirmed the ship departed the port of Sihanoukville late Tuesday. Only crew and other personnel remained on board. He stated that he did not know the ship's next destination. Media reports suggest a creditor has taken over management and is sailing the vessel to Singapore, a major maritime hub.
The ship, owned by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, was on an around-the-world cruise when it suspended its planned three-year voyage. The suspension was triggered by a sharp rise in fuel costs. The company noted that monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, have reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. This spike is linked to the war in Iran and curtailed traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Oct. 28, the ship was docked in Sihanoukville for a scheduled stop. Passengers were given a few hours to disembark. The vessel has a capacity of 650 passengers and carried 156 crew members. It is not clear how many crew departed with the ship. Most of the 203 passengers were Americans.
Nearly 100 passengers remained in Sihanoukville after the evacuation. Others were visiting other parts of Cambodia or had traveled to other countries. The company had previously sought to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, but it could not offset the surging costs.
The Odyssey was built in 1993 and bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023. Its current cruise began in October 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after a refit. The company had planned a second cruise and the purchase of a second ship to operate in a similar capacity.
Passengers reported paying more than $300,000 for a suite for the lifetime of the vessel. The company had asked passengers for financial contributions for several months to keep the ship operating. Social media debate has focused on whether the operation was financially viable from the start.
