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US cruise ship ends global voyage due to fuel costs; 200 passengers lose their homes
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • business
Key Points:
- The U.S.-based residential cruise ship Odyssey suspended operations in Cambodia due to a sharp rise in fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to disembark.
- Fuel expenses per cabin surged from an average of $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 amid the war in Iran, making continued operations financially unsustainable.
- The company attempted to reduce fuel consumption by slowing the itinerary and increasing port stays but still faced significant operating losses.
- The ship, carrying 203 passengers and 156 crew members, docked in Sihanoukville on October 23 and has remained there, with passengers asked to leave and the crew's status uncertain.
- Originally planned to operate until November 2027, the Odyssey's suspension raises questions about the future of the company's second residential cruise ship slated for 2029.
