Key facts
- Americans Lynn and Paul Montoya spent $179,000 on a cabin and about $6,000 monthly fees for the Villa Vie Odyssey.
- The residential cruise ship operator suspended operations due to soaring fuel prices.
- About 200 passengers were forced to disembark in Cambodia.
- The company is seeking to restructure and recapitalize, but no deals are finalized.
- Passengers reported issues like lack of internet and deteriorating food quality prior to the suspension.
Americans Lynn and Paul Montoya sold their home and cars in Wyoming to buy a cabin on the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, planning to spend their retirement sailing the globe. Their dream lasted 17 months before the operator, Villa Vie Residences, abruptly announced this week that soaring fuel prices were forcing it to suspend operations. The Montoyas and approximately 200 other passengers were informed they had to disembark from the Odyssey at a port in Cambodia. Paul Montoya stated that the company had run out of money and had difficulties paying the crew, and they were not expecting any money back. Villa Vie Residences said it was seeking to restructure and recapitalize, but no deals had been finalized. Residents had noticed growing problems aboard the ship, including requests for more contributions and loans for fuel, as well as deteriorating food quality and a lack of internet service in Cambodia.