By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON - A US residential cruise ship that set out on a three-year world voyage has suspended its operations in Cambodia because of soaring fuel costs linked to the war in Iran, forcing hundreds of passengers to leave their floating homes, The Associated Press reported.

The Odyssey, operated by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, began its seven-continent journey two years ago, offering passengers the opportunity to live aboard a ship while travelling around the world.

The company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged about $1,800, had recently climbed to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia amid the conflict in Iran.

Villa Vie Residences said it had attempted to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the ship's itinerary and spending more time in ports. However, those measures were insufficient to offset the increase in costs.

“We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” the company said, adding that passing the full increase in expenses on to residents was not a realistic solution.

Its immediate priority was to support residents, crew members and employees while working to restructure its operations, the company said.

The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port said in a statement last week that the ship arrived on Oct. 23 for a scheduled five-day visit. It was expected to sail to Vietnam but remained in the Cambodian port on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The vessel was carrying 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, most of them Americans, along with 156 crew members. The ship has a capacity of 650 residents.

Passengers were instructed to leave the vessel, although the status of the crew remained unclear.

The suspension has disrupted a voyage that had a confirmed itinerary extending through November 2027. The company had also planned to introduce a second residential cruise ship in early 2029, but its announcement about the Odyssey did not address whether those plans would be affected.

The suspension highlights the financial pressures that sharp increases in fuel prices can place on long-distance maritime travel, particularly operations designed around extended stays at sea and residential living.

The war in Iran has contributed to volatility in global energy markets, raising costs for fuel-dependent industries. For residential cruise operators, which must balance the expenses of operating a large vessel against the affordability of long-term passenger packages, a sustained increase in fuel prices can pose a significant financial challenge.