Fuel costs force US cruise ship to suspend multiyear voyage in Cambodia
Hundreds of passengers are stranded after the ship’s three-and-a-half-year voyage is cut short due to fuel costs.
A United States cruise ship has suspended its around-the-world voyage in Cambodia, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark with no confirmed departure date.
The MV Odyssey, operated by Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, arrived at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville on Friday. The company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, had climbed to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia.
The company said it tried to reduce consumption by slowing the ship and spending more time in port but could not offset the rising costs.
The ship was carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew members, Cambodian officials said. Some passengers said they received only seven hours notice to disembark and had to arrange their own accommodation.