Villa Vie Residences Halts Cruise, Leaving Passengers Stranded in Cambodia

Paul and Lynn Montoya, a retired couple from Wyoming, found themselves standing in a town square in Cambodia on Oct. 27 with only the essentials they could carry. The MV Odyssey, a residential cruise ship operated by the Pembroke Pines based company Villa Vie Residences, stopped its journey abruptly. The captain ordered all passengers to leave the vessel by 2 p.m. that day. The company gave no financial assistance for hotels or transport.

The sudden end to the trip disrupted a lifestyle the Montoyas had adopted in April 2025. The couple sold their house, cars, and most of their personal property to fund their move into a cabin on the ship. They had planned to live on board for at least four years to complete a full circumnavigation. Instead, the journey ended after 18 months. During that time, the couple visited 50 countries, including Japan. They described the ship as their home, noting that the common areas served as their living and dining rooms. They left behind a scratch-off map on their cabin door that marked every country they had seen.

Villa Vie Residences attributed the halt to financial pressure from rising fuel prices. In a statement posted to its website on Oct. 27, the company said extraordinary increases in fuel costs made its operating model unsustainable. The statement noted that monthly fuel expense per cabin, which historically averaged about $1,800, recently reached an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia. The company said it could not pass these increases onto residents. It added that it is supporting residents, crew, and employees while it evaluates restructuring and recapitalization alternatives over the next 60 days.

Lynn Montoya said the financial warnings began in April of this year. She stated that the operator asked residents for loans to cover fuel costs. She said the requests came every two to four weeks, with amounts of $1.5 million each. The couple said they had no idea the trip would end so suddenly. Paul Montoya said the lack of communication and compassion caused them significant anger. They are now in Malaysia and plan to travel to Australia to stay with friends while they decide on their next steps. The couple described themselves as homeless because they sold their assets in the United States to fund the voyage.

Mikael Petterson, the founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie Residences, spoke to FOX Business Insider over the weekend. He said he feels awful because residents are counting on him to make decisions. He described himself as the villain in the story but said he is focused on finding a solution. The company is based in Pembroke Pines. It said it is working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements.

The Montoyas said the community aspect of residential cruising was a major draw. They said they knew the other passengers well and created their own entertainment, including theater performances and lectures. They valued the slow travel style, which allowed them to unpack and avoid jet lag. Now, they are evaluating their options from abroad. The company’s statement acknowledged that this is a difficult and disruptive period for those affected.