Fuel costs hit $8,000 per cabin as Odyssey cruise ship seized in Singapore

The Villa Vie Odyssey is now anchored in Singapore port waters, seized by local authorities after its round-the-world voyage ended prematurely in Cambodia. The seizure marks the end of a journey that was supposed to last three and a half years but was cut short by financial strain on the ship's US-based operator.

Villa Vie Residences halted operations in Sihanoukville last month, forcing roughly 200 passengers to leave the vessel. The company cited sharply higher fuel costs as the primary reason for the suspension. Singapore's port authority confirmed the ship was arrested under a court order. Crew members remaining aboard are reported to be well, with creditors overseeing their welfare arrangements.

Helmsman LLC, a Singapore law firm, is handling the legal proceedings for the arrest. It is not yet clear which party the firm represents in this dispute. The financial difficulties that led to the seizure had already disrupted the itinerary earlier in the year, prompting the operator to seek additional funds from passengers to keep sailing.

The Odyssey departed Belfast in October 2024 with a plan to visit 150 countries. The business model allowed customers to buy permanent cabin residencies for between $120,000 and $440,000. Others could rent accommodation for shorter trips, with monthly rentals starting at $3,500. The ship experienced a four-month delay before leaving Belfast due to repairs and paperwork issues.

Operational problems emerged while the vessel was in Vietnam, where crew members reportedly bought food from local grocery stores after a supplier refused deliveries over unpaid bills. During an earlier stop in Singapore in August, passengers were warned about the company's financial state. The operator raised money from guests to continue the voyage and acknowledged the risk of detention.

Passenger Holly Hennessey told the BBC that guests were asked to consider a fuel surcharge as prices climbed. The planned itinerary had also been reduced substantially. In a statement dated October 27, Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs per cabin in parts of Asia rose from $1,800 to as much as $8,000. This increase was driven by the Iran war, which pushed up fuel prices earlier in the year.

The company stated that efforts to reduce fuel consumption failed to offset the rising costs. It added that it was helping residents find temporary accommodation in Cambodia following the halt in operations.