Stranded Cambodia cruise ship ‘asked passengers for fuel money’ as crew members still not paid

A US Cruise ship stranded in Cambodia in the midst of an around-the-world trip asked passengers for money to refuel, as crew members working on board the Odyssey still haven’t been paid. Lynn Montoya, who is travelling on the three-year trip alongside her husband Paul, said residents on board the cruise ship were repeatedly asked to contribute additional money for fuel and other expenses, including a call to raise funds for fuel to leave Cambodia. Lynn said crew members working on the ship had also not been paid amid a lack of funds and soaring fuel costs. “We were tired of every two to four weeks being asked for money for fuel, money for everything,” she said. “We had hopes, but they just kept sinking further and further into the hole through mismanagement.”The MV Odyssey set sail two years ago on a trip intended to go around the world, with suite prices starting at around $230,000 (£172,000), but ran into trouble in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after running out of fuel. For now, it remains docked in Cambodia with no certain departure date. Guests were told at 6am on Monday that they had to disembark by 2pm that day. The cruise ship has capacity for 650 passengers, but 203 were on board - mostly Americans - when it suspended operations. There were also 156 crew members on board the ship. Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator of the MV Odyssey, said monthly fuel expenses per cabin that used to average around $1,800 (£1352) , have skyrocketed to $6,000-$8,000 (£4,000-£6,000) in parts of Asia due to the ongoing war in Iran. Crew members have reportedly yet to be paid (Reuters)Traffic has largely been suspended in the Strait of Hormuz, an essential shipping lane transporting a vast proportion of the world’s oil, putting a major strain on fuel prices and sharply increasing costs - especially in Southeast Asia. The cruise liner firm tried to decrease its fuel consumption by slowing down the itinerary and spending more time docked in port, but ultimately was unable to curb soaring fuel prices. In a statement on Tuesday, Ville Vie Residences said: “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 is now supporting residents, crew and employees. The company is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements.” Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin were among hundreds of guests who looked forward to a new life at sea when they boarded residential world cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey in October 2024.The 56-year-olds sold a business to fund a $100,000 (£75,000) cabin on the ship – plus monthly maintenance fees of $3,500 (£2,633). Lanette ran a windshield-replacement company from the ship, and the pair documented their journey on their Living Life on a Cruise YouTube channel.The couple said they knew leaving was possible because rumours had circulated on the ship about financial difficulties, but the eight-hour notice still surprised them. Villa Vie Odyssey embarked on an endless world cruise in 2024 but has suspended operations in Cambodia (Reuters)Lanette said: “Our immediate reaction was a deep sense of heartbreak at having to leave the home and community we had built over the past two years. “It was difficult to process the news while packing up our life and saying goodbye to the place we had come to love.”She said Villa Vie helped unload suitcases and provided shuttles to and from the port, but it has not helped with paying for hotels.Lanette said a fellow resident has offered to help others struggling financially with lodging costs and is working to arrange a charter flight to San Francisco.She said: “Villa Vie has not given us a date for returning onboard. Regardless of whether operations resume, we have decided to move on. The company was planning to increase our maintenance fees, which would have priced us out.”The couple now plan to stay at a hotel in Sihanoukville for about a week, then spend some time in Phnom Penh, and travel to Vietnam, Bali in Indonesia, and Thailand, where they hope the lower cost of living will help sustain their lifestyle while they figure out their longer-term plans.Sharon Lane is a former resident but still owns a Villa Vie Odyssey suite (Sharon Lane)Lanette said: “We’re doing well, considering everything, but we are heartbroken. There have been many hugs and tears. We loved our two years aboard, the adventures, the friendships, and especially the community. Many residents are settling together off the ship, so those connections are continuing on land.”Other residents have complained about a lack of communication and support from the cruise line. One former resident, Sharon Lane, who had to leave the ship last year due to health issues, says her friends on board have been left confused.She told The Independent: “There seems to be confusion as to what is being provided to residents. “Communication has been an ongoing issue. I am very concerned for my friends. They need to figure out transport, visas, housing; it is very stressful. It took me weeks to arrange my departure, and they [only] had a few hours.”Sharon still owns a cabin on the ship because her contract terms don’t let her rent it out, and a sale now looks unlikely.She added: “I’ve lost money; everyone who owns has or will lose money. It is devastating for some who sold their own properties to fund this. It breaks my heart. I hope the owners of the ship keep the interests of the residents in mind.”The Independent has contacted Villa Vie Residences for further comment.