'Endless' cruise grinds to a halt after two years at sea with passengers told to disembark as fuel supplies run dry off the coast of Cambodia

Passengers on board a full-time residential cruise have reportedly been told to pack their things and disembark due to a fuel shortage.Guests on residential ship Villa Vie Odyssey off the coast of Cambodia have been informed they must leave the ship, as it has suspended operations.An announcement on the internal messaging board yesterday, according to Residential Cruising, said: 'Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the fuel necessary to continue operations. 'As a result, the Odyssey will enter a temporary layup this afternoon, with crew remaining onboard to maintain the vessel and its essential systems.'All residents must disembark by 2pm today. For those who are unable to collect all their belongings before disembarking, please coordinate with Guest Services to arrange an orderly return using the shuttles.'Fuel costs have risen sharply in the regions where the company has been operating due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. On an equivalent per-cabin basis, monthly fuel expenses that historically averaged approximately $1,800 (£1,350) recently reached an estimated $6,000 (£4,500) to $8,000 (£6,000) in parts of Asia. Villa Vie Odyssey is a residential cruise with full-time passengersThe company cannot pass increases of that scale on to residents, and the resulting shortfall has placed its current operating model under unsustainable financial pressure. The cruise line is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements. A statement from Villa Vie Residences says: 'Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port. 'Those measures have not been enough to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses. Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. 'Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees while we work toward restructuring and recapitalisation over the next 60 days. That work is ongoing, and no outcome is assured.'It follows a chaotic launch for the Villa Vie Residences Odyssey in 2024, which was scheduled for a May departure - but ended up being delayed for months.It eventually left almost five months later than planned, following numerous delays and last-minute repairs. The ship, built in 1993, has sailed for several different cruise lines, including Cunard (as Crown Dynasty) and, most recently, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as Braemar. Guests paid between $99,999 and $899,000 for the multi-year cruise.Critics have jumped in, with one writing on CruiseCritic: 'As someone who has followed Odyssey with great interest since Belfast, and enjoyed the regular YouTube videos from some of the residents, I feel terribly sad about it all and wish those who are affected the very best.'They added: 'If that is correct, I can’t even begin to imagine the trauma for those who ‘sold up’ on land and put everything that they had into this venture. 'Could they lose absolutely everything? I sincerely hope not, but fear that they might. Many are elderly and have been offloaded in Cambodia with total uncertainty.'The cruise line announced this summer that it would be launching a second residential cruise ship.Villa Vie Residences will launch Legacy in 2029.It is expected to have larger living quarters than the existing ship.Plus, it will boast dining venues, larger public spaces, enhanced wellness facilities and luxury amenities, according to The Independent.