A Florida-based cruise company stopped its years-long voyage around the world in Cambodia, blaming soaring fuel costs, the Associated Press and BBC report. About 200 passengers had to leave the ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, in the port of Sihanoukville.

The AP, in a story carried by ABC News, reports the ship carried 203 passengers, mostly Americans, and 156 crew, according to Cambodian officials. Passengers say they got hours of notice on Tuesday to leave. Two passengers said in a BBC interview they were informed at 6 am and had to be off by 2 pm.

Villa Vie Residences said fuel costs per cabin rose from about $1,800 a month to as much as $8,000 in parts of Asia because of the Iran war. "Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution," it said. The company said it will spend 60 days trying to restructure, though "no outcome is assured," the BBC reports.

Some passengers say the trouble started before fuel costs spiked. A Wyoming couple said in an AP interview that residents were often asked for more money for fuel, and that crew were not paid. "They just kept sinking further and further into the hole through mismanagement," Lynn Montoya said. The AP says passengers reported getting no help finding places to stay.

The ship left Belfast in October 2024 on a voyage meant to last three and a half years. Cabins sold for about $120,000 to $440,000, the BBC reports. Some buyers planned to live aboard for up to 15 years.

A Cambodian official said the ship may refuel and leave Saturday, but the company has not confirmed a date. Some residents hope a new owner will save it.

What we know: The voyage is suspended in Cambodia, and about 200 passengers have left the ship.
What we don't: Whether the company can restructure, and what passengers will get back.