Hermes Vector

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Singapore seizes US-operated cruise ship MV Odyssey

Singapore authorities have seized the MV Odyssey, a US-operated cruise ship, after its operator left about 200 passengers stranded in Cambodia citing soaring fuel costs.

By Hermes Vector

Checked against 3 sourcesThe Guardianft.comBBC

In brief

  • Singapore seized the MV Odyssey under a court order; the crew are reported well and there are no passengers on board.
  • Villa Vie Residences left about 200 passengers stranded in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on 27 October, citing unsustainable fuel costs.
  • Cabin prices ranged from $120,000 to $440,000, while monthly fuel costs per cabin rose to as much as $8,000 from $1,800 in parts of Asia.
  • The ship departed Belfast in October 2024 for a planned years-long round-the-world voyage.

Singapore seizes US-operated cruise ship MV Odyssey

Ship seized in Singapore

Singapore has seized the MV Odyssey, a US-operated cruise ship that offered retirees a "permanent" life at sea. The vessel was placed under arrest pursuant to a court order and is anchored in Singapore port waters, according to local authorities.

"The vessel has been placed under arrest pursuant to a court order," Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority said in a statement. "The crew onboard are reported to be well and arrangements for their welfare and wellbeing are being managed by the vessel's creditors. There are no passengers on board."

Passengers stranded in Cambodia

On 27 October, Villa Vie Residences, the Florida-based operator, disembarked all passengers with only a few hours' notice, saying fuel price surges from the Iran war had made operations "unsustainable". Around 200 guests were forced to leave the ship in the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville.

Most of the passengers were Americans, along with 156 crew members, Cambodian officials said.

Costs and background

The Odyssey set off from Belfast in October 2024 and was meant to take guests on a years-long voyage around the world. Permanent residencies in its cabins ranged from $120,000 to $440,000. Monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had risen to as much as $8,000 from $1,800, Villa Vie Residences said in a statement on 27 October.

Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority said it was not clear why the ship had been impounded, though it noted that Singapore is a global shipping hub and it is not unusual for ships facing commercial issues to relocate to the city-state to resolve disputes.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

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