Round-the-world cruise ship seized in Singapore

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 15:14 · Archive

The Odyssey, a round-the-world cruise that stranded 200 passengers in Cambodia, has been seized in Singapore.

The Odyssey, a round-the-world cruise operated by US-based Villa Vie Residences, has been seized in Singapore following a court order. The ship left around 200 guests stranded in Cambodia last month when the operator abruptly suspended operations, citing extraordinary increases in fuel costs. The vessel is now anchored in Singapore port waters under arrest.

The ship departed Belfast in October 2024 and was intended to undertake a three-and-a-half-year voyage covering 150 countries. Passengers could buy cabins outright for $120,000 to $440,000, which allowed them to stay aboard beyond the initial voyage, or pay for a five-year residency. Monthly cabin rentals were available from $3,500. The cruise was beset with problems from the start, with departure delayed four months because of repairs and paperwork.

Crew aboard the vessel are reported to be well, with arrangements for their welfare being managed by the vessel's creditors, according to Singapore's port authority. A Singapore law firm, Helmsman LLC, has been named the arresting solicitor, though it is not clear which party it represents.

How it is being reported

• Cruise that left passengers stranded in Cambodia seized in Singapore after running out of moneyA cruise ship which left passengers stranded in Cambodia has been seized in Singapore after its American operator ran out of funds. The Villa Vie Odyssey, which set off from the UK and promised holidaymakers a three-and-a-half-year adventure across the globe, is now anchored in Singapore's port waters, according to local authorities. Roughly 200 passengers were left stranded last month in Sihanoukville, Cambodia , when Villa Vie Residences suddenly halted operations, blaming "extraordinary increases in fuel costs". Singapore's port authority confirmed that crew members remaining aboard are…GB News · 10 Nov, 15:04
• Singapore seizes ‘forever’ cruise ship that dumped passengers in CambodiaVilla Vie’s Odyssey taken by port authorities following court order obtained by vessel’s creditorsFinancial Times · 10 Nov, 09:43
• 'Cruise for life' ship seized in SingaporeIt comes weeks after the cruise came to a sudden end, leaving 200 guests stranded in Cambodia.BBC News · 10 Nov, 01:49

In this story: Odyssey · Villa Vie Residences · Singapore · Cambodia · Belfast · Sihanoukville

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log