US cruise ship ends global voyage in Asia due to fuel costs
Villa Vie Residences has suspended the global voyage of its cruise ship, the Odyssey, due to skyrocketing fuel costs in Asia. Passengers have been forced to disembark as the company attempts to restructure its operations.
Why it matters
The incident illustrates the impact of geopolitical instability and rising energy costs on the luxury travel and residential cruise industry.
<p>A US cruise ship on a residential world voyage has suspended its operations in Cambodia due to fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to abandon their floating homes.</p> <p>The Odyssey set sail two years ago on a three-year voyage to the seven continents marketed as combining long-term living at sea with global travel.</p> <p>The Florida-based company said monthly fuel expenses per cabin that historically averaged US$1800 (NZ$3209.80) has recently reached an estimated US$6000 to US$8000 (NZ$10,699.30 to NZ$14,265.70) in parts of Asia during the war in Iran. Villa Vie Residences said it sought to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, but was unable to offset the surge in fuel costs.</p> <p>"We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses," it said.
Headlinne story · 7 newsrooms
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