Continuous round-the-world cruise comes to an end as Iran war spikes fuel costs

A residential cruise ship that has been sailing around the world continuously for more than two years has evicted passengers in Cambodia after the fallout from the Iran war made fuel prices too expensive to continue its voyage.

The Florida-based operator of the luxury Villa Vie Odyssey announced Tuesday that it was suspending operations in Cambodia and working to identify temporary living arrangements for its residents, many of whom own cabins on the ship and live there permanently.

“Since the conflict began in late February, we have taken significant steps to reduce fuel consumption, including slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port,” Villa Vie Residences said in a statement.

“Those measures have not been enough to offset the extraordinary increase in fuel costs, and we have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses.”

CNN has reached out to Villa Vie Residences for comment.

The Odyssey has been sailing continuously since it left Belfast, Northern Ireland more than two years ago, following months of delays. The 640-foot vessel is described as an “intimate” ship which offers “a new way to live,” reaching “parts of the world other ships can’t access.”

A five-year residency aboard the Odyssey begins at $59,999, while a permanent cabin costs $119,999, according to the Villa Vie website. Owners also pay monthly fees, currently ranging from $3,299 to $9,500 depending on the suite, which cover food, drinks, Wi-Fi, medical visits, housekeeping and other costs. Passengers can also rent cabins from $3,499 per month.

Courtesy Holly Hennessy

The ship was set to visit more than 400 destinations as it perpetually circumnavigated the globe, according to its website.

But surging fuel costs caused by the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have created “unsustainable financial pressure,” Villa Vie Residences said in its statement.

According to the company, monthly fuel costs per cabin have risen from around $1,800 to as high as $8,000 in parts of Asia, which is a heavy importer of energy from the Middle East.

“Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution,” said Villa Vie, adding it is working toward “restructuring and recapitalization” over the next two months but “no outcome is assured.”

Holly Hennessy, who has been aboard the Odyssey with her cat Captain since the ship first set sail, said residents were given less than one day’s notice before they had to disembark, but the writing had been on the wall.

“It’s been incredibly tough since the war,” Hennessy said, noting residents were asked to pay a fuel surcharge back in May. The Odyssey has been cutting back on cooling to conserve energy, she added, which would have made it uncomfortable to stay aboard the ship.

Still, she said, the opportunity to live aboard the ship was “priceless.”

“It was not sustainable as it was set up,” Hennessy said. “That doesn’t diminish the memories, the adventure, the very special moments of having been a true global citizen.”

Sharon Lane, a retiree from California who purchased a cabin on the ship, told CNN in June she planned to live on the Odyssey as long as it was operational. Last year, the cruise company estimated the ship had 15 years of seafaring left.

“This is a home,” said Lane, who poured her life savings into her cabin. “I’m just living on and loving the ship.”

一艘已连续航行两年多的环球住宅游轮，由于伊朗战争的后果导致燃油价格过高，无法继续航行，因此在柬埔寨驱逐了乘客。

总部位于佛罗里达州的豪华游轮 Villa Vie Odyssey 的运营商周二宣布，将暂停在柬埔寨的运营，并努力为船上的居民寻找临时住所。这些居民中许多人在船上拥有舱房，并长期居住在那里。

Villa Vie Residences 在一份声明中表示：“自 2 月下旬冲突爆发以来，我们已采取重大措施来减少燃料消耗，包括放慢航程和增加在港口停留的时间。”

“这些措施不足以抵消燃料成本的异常上涨，我们无法继续承受由此造成的运营亏损。”

CNN已联系Villa Vie Residences寻求置评。

“奥德赛号”自两年多前离开北爱尔兰贝尔法斯特以来，经历了数月的延误，一直持续航行。这艘640英尺长的邮轮被描述为一艘“私密”的邮轮，它提供了一种“全新的生活方式”，能够抵达“其他邮轮无法到达的世界角落”。

根据Villa Vie网站的信息，在“奥德赛号”邮轮上拥有五年居住权的起价为59,999美元，而永久舱位的价格则为119,999美元。业主还需支付月费，目前根据套房的不同，费用从3,299美元到9,500美元不等，涵盖餐饮、饮品、Wi-Fi、医疗服务、客房清洁和其他费用。乘客也可以选择租用舱位，月租金从3,499美元起。

承蒙霍莉·亨尼西惠允

据其官网介绍，这艘船计划环游世界，到访超过 400 个目的地。

Villa Vie Residences 在声明中表示，伊朗战争和霍尔木兹海峡的混乱导致燃料成本飙升，造成了“不可持续的财务压力”。

该公司表示，每个舱室的月度燃料成本已从约 1800 美元上涨到亚洲部分地区的 8000 美元，而亚洲是中东能源的主要进口地区。

Villa Vie 表示：“将全部涨幅转嫁给居民并不是一个现实的解决方案。”该公司还表示，将在未来两个月内进行“重组和资本重组”，但“无法保证最终结果”。

霍莉·亨尼西自奥德赛号邮轮启航以来就一直和她的猫船长待在船上，她说，居民们在下船前不到一天就收到了通知，但其实早有预兆。

“战后日子过得异常艰难，”亨尼西说道，并指出居民们早在五月份就被要求缴纳燃油附加费。她补充说，“奥德赛号”为了节约能源，一直在减少制冷，这使得船上的环境变得十分不舒适。

不过，她表示，能够住在船上的机会是“无价的”。

“就其最初的模式而言，它并不可持续，”亨尼西说。“但这并不会抹杀那些美好的回忆、冒险经历以及作为一名真正的全球公民所拥有的那些非常特殊的时刻。”

来自加利福尼亚州的退休人士莎伦·莱恩在船上购买了一个舱位。她六月份告诉CNN，她计划只要“奥德赛号”还在运营，就一直住在船上。去年，邮轮公司估计这艘船还能航行15年。

“这里就是我的家，”莱恩说道，她把毕生积蓄都投入到了自己的船舱里。“我只是住在船上，我热爱这艘船。”