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‘Forever cruise’ ship Odyssey impounded in Singapore, records show
NewsNation • • business
Key Points:
- The Odyssey, a "forever cruise" ship that recently evicted over 200 residents in Cambodia, has been impounded in Singapore following a court order to hold the vessel until legal claims are resolved.
- The ship was arrested at the request of Singapore law firm Helmsman LLC, likely representing a fuel supplier, amid unpaid debts estimated at around $500,000 owed by the ship's owner, Villa Vie Residences.
- Villa Vie suspended the cruise citing soaring fuel costs linked to the war in Iran, with monthly fuel expenses per cabin rising from $1,800 to $8,000.
- Passengers like Kit Cassingham, who invested hundreds of thousands in their cabins and monthly fees, were abruptly told to disembark due to fuel shortages and do not expect refunds.
- Cassingham noted prior warning signs, including the company soliciting passenger funds to purchase fuel in August, highlighting ongoing financial instability.
