Cruise ship suspends voyage in Asia due to fuel costs, stranding 200 passengers

The U.S. cruise ship MV Odyssey suspended its three-year around-the-world voyage in Cambodia because of fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to leave the vessel. The ship is docked at Sihanoukville port on the Gulf of Thailand, with no confirmed departure date. Built in 1993 and later operated under different names, the Odyssey was bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023; its current itinerary began in October 2024 in Belfast after refitting. Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel expenses per cabin, previously averaging about $1,800, climbed to an estimated $6,000–$8,000 in parts of Asia amid disruptions tied to the Iran war and reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The company blamed mounting operating losses and said it couldn’t pass costs to residents. A blogger said passengers received only seven hours’ notice, with limited help arranging transport and hotels.