The Odyssey, a cruise ship planned for a multi-year global journey, faced a setback in Singapore. Villa Vie Residences, the company behind the venture, ran out of money, leading to the ship's seizure. The Odyssey set sail from Belfast in October 2024, aiming to visit 150 countries over three and a half years. However, the plan fell apart, leaving passengers stranded in Cambodia last month.
About 200 guests had to leave the ship in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, when operations stopped due to rising fuel costs. The ship now sits anchored in Singaporean waters, confirmed by the local port authority. The authority reported that the crew is in good condition. The ship was arrested following a court order, with creditors handling the crew's welfare.
Helmsman LLC, a Singapore-based law firm, has been appointed as the arresting solicitor, although the client they represent is unnamed. The Odyssey offered a unique living experience, allowing passengers to buy cabins for permanent residence. Prices ranged from $120,000 to $440,000, or guests could rent for $3,500 a month.
The cruise faced issues from the outset, including a four-month delay due to repairs and paperwork. While docked in Vietnam, crew members had to buy food locally as the company owed money to a vendor. Financial struggles were communicated to passengers as early as August during the ship's previous stop in Singapore. At that time, guests were asked to contribute financially to keep the voyage going, and the risk of detention was mentioned.
Holly Hennessey, a passenger, said guests were asked to consider paying a fuel surcharge as prices soared, severely impacting their itinerary. The financial troubles worsened due to the Iran war, which increased fuel costs in parts of Asia from $1,800 to as high as $8,000 per cabin monthly. On 27 October, Villa Vie Residences stated that despite efforts to reduce fuel consumption, these measures couldn't counter the "extraordinary increase in fuel costs." The company is coordinating with residents to find temporary living arrangements while they stay in Cambodia.
The Odyssey returned to Singapore earlier this month, weeks after the cruise's abrupt end in Cambodia. Mikael Petterson, the ship's founder, had promoted the idea of owning a home on a ship that sails the globe.
