Luxury cruise ship forces 200 residents off vessel in Cambodia
Fuel costs linked to Middle East conflict drove the operator to end its temporary layup, leaving long-term cabin holders to find new housing.
By Adriana Abebe ·
More than 200 passengers were ordered off a luxury residential cruise ship while it was docked in Cambodia this week.
The vessel, operated by Villa Vie Residence, entered what the company described as a temporary layup period. The decision forced long-term residents to disembark and arrange their own lodging.
Dwight and Sheila Greene of Fort Worth were among those affected. The couple bought a cabin on the Odyssey in May with the intention of making the ship their permanent home.
They documented their life at sea through video blogs. Dwight Greene referred to the vessel as their personal aircraft carrier because they frequently traveled on and off the ship.
Villa Vie cited rising fuel costs caused by conflict in the Middle East as the primary reason for the layup. The company stated in a release that it tried to lower consumption by slowing down the itinerary and staying in port longer.
Those measures failed to cover the extra operating losses. The company said it could no longer sustain the financial burden of running the ship at current fuel prices.
The Greenes said they had previously paid extra fees to help keep the vessel afloat. They noted that many passengers were aware of financial issues before the ship stopped moving.
Public records from NBC News show Villa Vie faced a lawsuit last year. The suit alleged the company misstated its financial health.
The couple left personal items on the Odyssey as they boarded a different cruise they had already booked. Dwight Greene said the move signals their belief that the ship will return to service.
He described the situation as crushing for those who lost money or faith in the project. He said he remains full of hope and faith that they will survive the disruption.
