Crew members aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship in Cambodia are facing financial uncertainty after the vessel suspended operations, with some workers reportedly going without pay for more than a month.
More than 150 crew members remain aboard the ship in Sihanoukville, where its operator, Villa Vie Residences, halted operations last week amid rising fuel expenses linked to the war with Iran.
Speaking to NBC News, workers and residents said some crew members have also experienced repeated payment delays.
One crew member from India, who works for a third-party contractor, said his wages had been delayed for three months and he had not received a paycheck since September.
“We were getting to know the financial condition is not good. That’s why we are getting paid late.”
Several crew members said they wanted to remain aboard while the ship moves to another port, where they hope it will be easier to disembark and arrange their journeys home.
Two Indonesian waiters said they hoped the vessel would resume sailing, adding they were able to stay aboard and receive meals.
The ship is expected to remain in Sihanoukville until Wednesday, according to the city’s Tourism Department director Tang Sochetkresna. Its next destination remains unclear.
Villa Vie said it had been unable to absorb the operating losses caused by rising fuel costs and was pursuing restructuring and recapitalization.
The company previously reported monthly fuel expenses reaching as high as $8,000 per cabin in parts of Asia, compared with an average of $1,800.
The vessel’s financial troubles have also left residents uncertain about its future.
The Villa Vie Odyssey began operating two years ago as a residential cruise ship, offering cabins priced between $59,000 and $439,000, alongside monthly fees.
Some residents sold their homes and belongings to live aboard while traveling around the world.
Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship seized by lender
Last week, Villa Vie Odyssey residents were told to gather their belongings and leave within hours.
A proposed rescue deal also fell through after Sagar Capital said it failed to reach an agreement with the ship’s lender and found Villa Vie Odyssey had “substantially more debt than we anticipated.”
According to the company, the lender and Columbia Ship Management had taken control of the vessel and intended to sell it at auction. The company announced the news to the residents, saying:
“The lender has taken possession of the ship, but that does not mean the Odyssey’s future has been decided. No sale has been scheduled.”
Residents have since raised money to help crew members facing delayed wages.
Wendy Thilesen, who lived aboard for a year, said she and other residents gave money to workers so they would have funds to leave the ship and support themselves.
“We’re trying to get them some money so that they can at least have money to get off the ship and live for a while until their stuff gets straightened out and they get out of here.”
Some crew members also face difficulties leaving Cambodia because of visa issues.
Iryna Marynkina, the ship’s lead nurse, said several workers scheduled to disembark were unable to leave because of uncertainty over visa arrangements.
An Indian crew member told the outlet he hoped his employer would send his paycheck and help him return home.
“I don’t know about the company’s future. I just want to go home now. I’m so tired mentally.”
