Passengers of the Odyssey ship evacuated in Cambodia after paying up to $600,000

The 203 passengers of the Odyssey ship were forced to disembark in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after Villa Vie Residences asked them to leave the vessel on October 27. They had paid between $120,000 and $440,000 for cabins, while some had invested up to $600,000 to live aboard indefinitely. Many were unable to recover all their personal belongings.

The ship, which departed from Belfast in October 2024, was supposed to offer a three-and-a-half-year journey, with 425 stops in 147 countries. The project was affected by rising fuel costs, which reportedly reached $8,000 per month for each cabin. Port calls were reduced, services deteriorated, and crew salaries became difficult to pay.

Passengers say they lent the company millions of dollars and even contributed to the purchase of fuel. The ship is also said to have accumulated debts at ports, while the company considered restructuring and sought capital. The future of the Odyssey and the repayment of the money remain uncertain. Nevertheless, some former passengers say they would repeat the experience.