'Cruise for life' ship impounded in Singapore
The gist
Singapore's port authority says the Villa Vie Odyssey was arrested under a court order.
Around 200 passengers were earlier put off in Cambodia; some sold everything to pay.
How it unfolded
- Oct 2024The Odyssey set off from Belfast on a voyage meant to last three-and-a-half years and cover 150 countries, after a four-month delay for repairs and paperwork.
- Aug 2026Sailing into Singapore on a separate occasion, the operator warned passengers of financial troubles, raised money from guests to keep the cruise going and mentioned the risk of being detained.
- Oct 27, 2026Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel cost per cabin in parts of Asia had risen to as much as $8,000 from $1,800, and that steps to cut fuel use could not offset the 'extraordinary increase'.