Passengers who sold their homes for a 'never-ending' cruise are stranded in Cambodia after soaring fuel costs halt the voyage

Around 200 passengers aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey were given until 2pm to disembark at the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville after operator Villa Vie Residences suspended operations, citing fuel costs that had surged from roughly £1,350 to £6,000 per cabin each month. The company says it will use 60 days for "restructuring and recapitalisation", but warns "no outcome is assured".

The Odyssey departed Belfast in October 2024 on a planned three-and-a-half-year voyage taking in nearly 150 countries — more than 750 days in, the trip is finished.

Before the suspension, passengers had reportedly been asked to contribute to fuel costs — one original passenger, who had previously been stranded in Belfast during the delayed departure, said she is 'not certain what the next steps are'.