Villa Vie Residences abruptly terminated its global cruise on Tuesday, stranding around 200 passengers in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after the operator suspended operations due to financial collapse.

Passengers aboard the *Villa Vie Odyssey* were given just seven hours to disembark with their belongings, according to Long Dimanche, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province. Many had sold homes and cars to afford cabins marketed as floating residences, with prices starting at $230,000 plus monthly fees of up to $8,000. The company cited soaring fuel costs—exacerbated by the Iran war—as the primary reason, with monthly fuel expenses per cabin rising from $1,800 to an estimated $6,000–$8,000.

Villa Vie Residences stated it had attempted cost-cutting measures, including slower travel and extended port stays, but the losses became unsustainable. The company pledged to assist passengers with temporary housing, though some reported receiving no support and organizing accommodations themselves. Crew members, numbering around 150, were also left stranded, with many now housed in local hotels or attempting to leave the country.

Passengers recounted deteriorating conditions onboard, including unreliable internet and declining food quality, with some leaving the ship early due to repeated requests for additional payments to cover fuel and other expenses. The company announced plans to restructure and recapitalize within 60 days but offered no guarantees. The *Odyssey* is scheduled to refuel in Sihanoukville on Saturday before departing, though its destination and whether any passengers will remain aboard remain unclear.

Originally, the cruise was intended to span three and a half years, visiting 150 countries, and was marketed as a long-term escape for affluent travelers, some of whom sought to avoid political developments in their home countries.