Cruise Ship Abandons 200+ Passengers Mid-Trip in Cambodia
Villa Vie Odyssey departs Cambodia with no passengers, leaving many stranded.
The Brief
- Over 200 passengers were forced off the ship in Sihanoukville.
- Owners cited fuel costs as reason for abandoning the voyage.
- Some passengers remain in Cambodia, others flew to other regions.
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship left Cambodia early Wednesday with no passengers aboard, according to Taing Sochitkrishna, head of the Sihanoukville tourism department.
The vessel's owner, Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, suspended operations last week, citing fuel price increases from the Iran war as making operations prohibitively expensive.
Passengers unloaded their belongings from the ship on Tuesday, with many expressing surprise at being left without a clear plan for their future.
Shirine Thomas, a passenger from Wilmington, North Carolina, stated she was unable to take all her belongings, saying, 'There are still many things on the ship that I wish I could take with me.'
The ship had been operating for at least 755 days, offering passengers the chance to rent or buy long-term or permanent residences on board.
The ship's final destination remains unconfirmed, with some passengers and maritime tracking websites suggesting it was heading to Singapore. Villa Vie Residences has not responded to media inquiries.
More in Asia
-
Air India Resumes Nonstop Flights to New York
Air India renews nonstop routes between Delhi/Mumbai and New York after Iraq airspace becomes available.
-
Iran's security chief meets Putin in Moscow
Discussions focus on regional security and gas pipeline project.
-
Unilever to Expand India Strategy to Africa, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Unilever plans to use India's growth model in emerging markets to boost revenue.
-
Young India Police School to Start Classes in New Block Next Year
Director General of Police directs completion of Academic Block-I for next academic year.