Villa Vie cruise leaves around 200 passengers stranded in Cambodia
A US cruise company stranded around 200 passengers in Cambodia after suspending operations due to soaring fuel costs.
Villa Vie Residences sells programs that let people live on a cruise ship. The company markets this as a luxury option for retirees.
The company suspended operations suddenly. The company said soaring fuel costs caused the shutdown.
Per-cabin monthly costs jumped from about $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 in parts of Asia. Passengers got just seven hours to pack and leave the ship, the Odyssey.
This happened during a stop in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville. Some flew out right away.
Others stayed in the city. The company said it is working to find temporary housing for those stranded.
Passengers had paid from about $85,000 to live on the ship and travel the world without stopping. The ship was set to refuel and leave on October 31.
- 203
- Passengers stranded
- 156
- Crew stranded
- 7
- Hours to disembark
- $1,800 to $6,000-$8,000
- Monthly cost jump
Why it mattersMany retirees are now homeless thousands of miles away after the company stranded 203 passengers and 156 crew members. They sold their homes for the voyage and have limited support.
AustraliaThe ship visited Australia's east coast earlier this year; Australian passengers among those stranded are now far from home without immediate return plans.
Corroborated bybbc.com·theguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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