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SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — A U.S. cruise ship on an around-the-world voyage that touted its cabins as floating homes suspended its three-year voyage in Cambodia due to fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark.

The MV Odyssey set sail two years ago on a voyage to the seven continents marketed as combining long-term living at sea with global travel. Its operator had offered to “make the Odyssey your permanent home,” with the purchase price of a suite for the lifetime of the vessel starting around $230,000.

For now, it is docked at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand, with no certain departure date.

The ship has been carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, along with 156 crew members, according to Cambodian officials. It has a 650-passenger capacity.

Its Florida-based operator, Villa Vie Residences, said monthly fuel expenses per cabin that historically averaged $1,800 have reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia due to the war in Iran. The company said it sought to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port, but was unable to offset the surging costs.

Traffic has been curtailed in the Strait of Hormuz since the war in Iran began, squeezing supplies of all kinds of petroleum-based fuels, especially in Southeast Asia, and sharply increasing prices.

“We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” Villa Vie Residences said in a statement issued Tuesday. “Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees” while it tries to restructure.

“The company is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements,” it said.

Those on the ship had hoped to sail for years to come

Passengers, however, said they received no support and had to make their own arrangements after being given seven hours notice on Tuesday to disembark. Some were devastated and expressed hope a new company could rescue the venture so life at sea can continue.

Paul and Lynn Montoya, a retired couple from Wyoming, said they bought a window cabin and had expected to sail for years. They boarded the ship 17 months ago in Panama.

Paul praised the concept of residential cruising but said the shipowner lacked the expertise to make the business financially sustainable. While rising fuel costs had been cited publicly as the reason for the suspension, he said the company had already been struggling. Changes to itinerary, unreliable internet access and declining food quality had pushed many residents to leave the ship in recent months, he said.

Lynn said residents were repeatedly asked to contribute additional money for fuel and other expenses, including a fresh call to raise funds for fuel to get out of Cambodia. She said the crew members were also not paid.

“We were tired of every two to four weeks being asked for money for fuel, money for everything,” she said. “We had hopes but they just kept sinking further and further into the hole through mismanagement.”

The company could not immediately be contacted for comment.

For some, the venture was a risk worth taking

Yet for some, even the financial and logistical turmoil couldn’t outweigh the extraordinary experience of traveling the world and living at sea.

Carol Larson, 69, and her sister Crystal Lavering, 72, occupied separate cabins aboard the ship for 18 months. The siblings, from California, described the suspension as heartbreaking, and hoped the cruise would be resuscitated.

“I hope there is a movement for the residents to buy the ship and I am hoping that goes through because it’s a dream to live on the ship and I don’t want it to end,” Larson said.

Lavering said her health improved during her time on the ship, and that she didn’t need to use a cane to walk anymore. “You come to this ship to live … it’s just sad that it’s all over.”

Larson bought her cabin for $120,000, paid in installments, in addition to monthly maintenance fees, under a plan that had promised the possibility of living aboard for up to 15 years. She said she blamed U.S. President Donald Trump for the ship’s woes as fuel costs spiked due to the Iran war, in addition to poor management. But she said she didn’t regret her investment.

“Because it was a startup company, I believe that it was a risk. From the very first day, I said to myself that if it lasts a year, I can walk away and feel like I got my money’s worth … I still feel that way. I feel blessed to have been part of the experiment of residential cruising,” she said.

The cruise began in Northern Ireland in 2024

The ship arrived in Sihanoukville last Friday and was scheduled to depart Wednesday, according to a statement from Long Dimanche, the deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province. He said it was now expected to refuel and depart Cambodia on Saturday, but the ship’s operator has not yet publicly confirmed any date.

Built in 1993 and operated under different names by several cruise lines over the years before being becalmed by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Odyssey was bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023.

Its current cruise, originally intended to last 3 1/2 years, began in October 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the ship had been refitted. A second cruise had been tentatively scheduled to end in August 2030.

The Odyssey is not the first cruise ship Sihanoukville has hosted in crisis.

In February 2020, the MS Westerdam was allowed to dock in Cambodia after being turned away at five ports in other nations because of fears of COVID-19, which just a month earlier had started to spread from China. It carried 1,455 passengers, more than 600 of them American citizens.

After being stranded at sea for two weeks, Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen allowed it to dock for what he said were humanitarian reasons. Cambodia won plaudits as passengers were welcomed ashore and arrangements were made for them to fly home.

Cheang writes for the Associated Press. AP writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this report.

TUI Cabin Manager Rosie Poulios has spent over 30 years travelling across all continents – but there’s one destination that tops her list.

It has beautiful beaches, wildlife, colourful fishing villages and the best news for Brits, absolutely no jet lag. The destination in question? Senegal.

Talking about the West African country, Rosie says it combines “sunshine, culture, character and experiences” that you can’t easily find elsewhere.

Senegal is six hours away from the UK and TUI is reintroducing its direct route from London Gatwick on November 2.

There’s no time difference between Senegal and the UK either, so holidaymakers can get their winter sunshine without any jet lag. 

There’s plenty to do too like exploring Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed island that’s car-free with pastel-colored buildings.

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On the island is the House of Slaves ‘Maison des Esclaves’ a pink-coloured building and memorial museum from 1776 commemorating millions of enslaved Africans.

For those looking to see wildlife, there’s a chance to see all sorts of animals at the Bandia Reserve.

On a safari-style drive, visitors can spot giraffes, zebra and rhino. 

Another popular experience is visiting the Saloum Delta which is waterways and mangroves which is lush with birdlife.

If you go on holiday with TUI, you can book these tours with TUI Musement – full day tours of Goree Island from £69 per adult and £48 per child.

Half-day safaris at Bandia Reserve from £59 per adult and £41 per child. 

When it comes to staying in Senegal, Rosie suggests checking into the Riu Baobab.

The all-inclusive resort has four swimming pools, a waterpark and is a few short steps away from Pointe Sarene beach.

Guests can try out water activities, lazing about by the pool and enjoying meals at its restaurants.

Rosie said:”It gives families all the convenience of an all-inclusive beach holiday while also offering the chance to discover a fascinating destination beyond the resort.

“And it’s brilliant for adults too with kayaking and paddleboarding on offer on the beach, or thatched parasols to laze the day away beneath.” 

TUI offers a one week all-inclusive stay at the Riui Boabab in Pointe Serene from £1046 per person. 

This is based on a family of four departing London Gatwick on November 30.

For anyone who has Africa on their bucket list, Rosie described Senegal as “one of the easiest introductions to Africa you can find.”

Rosie also describes the Senegalese as “some of the friendliest I’ve met”.

She added: “They’re welcoming, proud of their culture and genuinely happy to share their country with visitors.”

“You get the wildlife, the culture, the history and the scenery people dream about, but in a way that feels accessible and completely unintimidating.” 

The best time to visit Senegal is during the dry season from November to May – and temperatures sit around 30C all-year.

LIKE many, I have longed for a Rimowa suitcase, but the brand’s premium prices puts it out of my price range.

I simply can’t justify spending over £1000 on a suitcase, so I was understandably thrilled when I spotted the same luxe aesthetic for just £60 at Dunelm.

Constellation Cabin Suitcase with Front Opening, £60 at Dunelm

The Constellation Silver Cabin Case caught my eye with its sleek silver finish and modern linear hard shell, which gives it a similar, minimalist look to the iconic Rimowa cases.

Like Rimowa, it also has a durable construction with a hard shell protecting the contents, while looking stylish in the Arrivals hall.

It also comes with a 360-degree spinner wheel system, meaning you can glide it along in pretty much any direction.

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But there’s one particular feature that makes it extra appealing to modern travellers like me.

The front-opening opening offers speedy access to your tech essentials, so you don’t have to disturb your perfectly packed suitcase as you’re going through security.

As someone who travels with a laptop, I think that’s actually more useful than simply having a suitcase that looks pretty.

In terms of size, the Constellation Cabin Suitcase measures 55 x 35 x 22cm, including its overall product dimensions, while the Rimowa Original Cabin is 55 x 40 x 23cm.

While they’re the same height, Dunelm’s case is 5cm narrower and 1cm shallower, making it the more compact option.

You’re getting the sleek minimal aesthetic, hard shell construction, 360-degree wheels and a clever tech compartment for £60 rather than £1,090, pocketing £1030 in savings.

With half-term around the corner, this is the sort of cabin case I’d be looking at for a short family break or a European mini break.

Will it meet airline luggage rules?

Before buying, check your airline’s free cabin-bag allowance.

The Dunelm case fits Jet2 and British Airways’ larger 56 x 45 x 25cm allowance, but it won’t be free on every airline or fit under the seat in front.

If you’re looking for underseat bags that nail the designer look, I’ve rounded up some alternatives below.

CabinMax Underseat Cabin Suitcase, £39.95 at ASOS

What’s it good for? Weekend getaways, short city breaks, or business trips where you don’t need multiple outfits or heavy layers.

What you’ll like? It has wide suitcase-style opening, so you don’t have to dig through from the top like a regular backpack.

The Mykonos Hard Shell Vanity Case, £30 at M&S

What’s it good for? Carrying delicate toiletries without worrying about leaks or crushed packaging.

It could also work as a sleek standalone bag for overnight trips if you travel light.

What you’ll like? It has an elasticated rear trolley strap that slips over telescoping suitcase handles for effortless, one-handed wheeling.

Now, these suitcases aren’t Rimowa, so you won’t get the same premium branding, construction or engineering.

But if, like me, you’re mainly after the chic silver aesthetic and some of the practical features seen in expensive luggage, they’re a tempting alternative.

If you’ve had a Rimowa suitcase on your wishlist but can’t swallow the £1,090 price tag, my Dunelm find could be the more purse-friendly alternative.

If you are looking for more dupe deals, you need to read; Our favourite Dyson Airwrap alternatives in the Prime Day sale – including ‘amazing’ 4-in-1 styler down to just £37 and Dunelm launches mushroom lamp alternative to John Lewis version.