Tourismupdated 13m ago2 min read
MapOdyssey Cruise Ship Seized in Singapore After Operator Runs Out of Money
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Odyssey cruise ship seized in Singapore under court order. More than 200 passengers disembarked in Sihanoukville, Cambodia last month.
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Odyssey arrested in Singapore
The Odyssey, a residential cruise ship that set off from Belfast in October 2024, was seized in Singapore and anchored in Singapore port waters after its US-based operator ran out of money. Singapore's port authority said, "The vessel has been placed under arrest pursuant to a court order," and it added that the crew onboard were being managed by the vessel's creditors. The Odyssey had left passengers stranded in Cambodia, with around 200 guests forced to leave the ship last month in the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville after Villa Vie Residences suspended operations citing "extraordinary increases in fuel costs".
The Odyssey was meant to go on a three-and-a-half-years voyage covering 150 countries, and the ship's permanent residencies in its cabins ranged from $120,000 to $440,000. The vessel had been "placed under arrest pursuant to a court order" while Singapore law firm Helmsman LLC was named the "arresting solicitor".
Fuel costs and forced exit
Villa Vie Residences said in a statement on 27 October that monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had risen to as much as $8,000 from $1,800, and it said its steps to reduce fuel consumption were insufficient to offset the "extraordinary increase in fuel costs". Passengers were given options including buying their cabin outright for staying onboard beyond its initial voyage, paying for a five-year residency, or renting a cabin for days-long tours. Hindustan Times reported that more than 200 passengers were given just seven hours to leave the ship at the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville on October 28.
Florida-based Villa Vie Residences marketed the vessel as a floating home offering residents the opportunity to travel indefinitely, and the arrest followed the collapse of operations. A source familiar with the matter told CBS News that the legal action was likely initiated by a fuel supplier, and Villa Vie reportedly owed a supplier in the region approximately US$500,000. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority said, "There are no passengers on board," confirming that the ship was anchored in Singapore's port waters.
Creditors, claims, and next steps
Singapore law firm Helmsman LLC was named as the "arresting solicitor," but it remained unclear which party it represented, while CBS News reported the seizure citing court records. The Straits Times said a source familiar with the matter told CBS News that the legal action was likely initiated by a fuel supplier, and it reported that Villa Vie reportedly owed a supplier in the region approximately US$500,000. The Odyssey was meant to cover 150 countries, and the cruise was beset with problems from the start, including a departure delayed for four months because of repairs and paperwork.
The Hindustan Times account said the vessel departed Cambodia on November 4 without passengers and with approximately 50 crew members on board, and it said the ship was moved to Singapore ahead of a possible auction. The BBC reported that the company had warned passengers of its financial troubles in August and had mentioned the risk of being detained then, while Holly Hennessey said the itinerary had been "severely curtailed".