Round-the-world residential cruise ship evicts passengers in Cambodia as Iran war drives up fuel costs

A residential cruise ship that has sailed around the world continuously for more than two years has evicted passengers in Cambodia after the fallout from the Iran war made fuel too expensive, CNN reports.

The Florida-based operator of the Villa Vie Odyssey announced on Tuesday that it was suspending operations in Cambodia and working to find temporary living arrangements for residents, many of whom own cabins and live aboard permanently.

“Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port,” Villa Vie Residences said in a statement.

“Those measures have not been enough to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses.”

The company said monthly fuel costs per cabin had risen from around $1,800 to as high as $8,000 in parts of Asia. It said it is working toward “restructuring and recapitalization” over the next two months, but “no outcome is assured.”

Resident Holly Hennessy said passengers got less than one day’s notice to disembark. “It’s been incredibly tough since the war,” she said.

Another resident, Sharon Lane, who put her life savings into a cabin, told CNN in June: “This is a home.”

A five-year residency on the ship begins at $59,999, while a permanent cabin costs $119,999.