Australian retiree loses $200,000 as Villa Vie cruise ship seized
Melbourne retiree lost $200,000 on 15-year cruise ship lease after just 25 months.
A residential cruise ship once billed as a floating home has been seized by authorities. The operator abandoned more than 200 passengers in Cambodia.
The Villa Vie Odyssey arrived in Singapore this week under control of its lender. The Florida-based owner blamed fuel prices for making operations too expensive.
Melbourne retiree Frances Paroissien, 78, had poured her life savings into the venture. She had already lost $85,000 on a cancelled cruise line.
Paroissien bought a cabin for $200,000 on a 15-year lease. Frances Paroissien spent just 25 months aboard before being given just seven hours to leave.
With no home in Australia to return to, she has rented an apartment in Thailand for six months. One Australian passenger from Brisbane was also forced off.
Many residents had paid tens of thousands to live at sea for years.
- $200,000
- Paroissien's lease price
- 25 months
- Time aboard before eviction
- $85,000 on cancelled Life at Sea venture
- Previous investment lost
- More than 200
- Passengers stranded
Why it mattersResidents invested life savings into a retirement model that collapsed overnight.
AustraliaAt least two Australian residents lost their homes and major financial investments when the cruise ship company suspended operations without warning.
Corroborated by7NEWS
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 h ago
