# Cruise company founder says he’s ‘the villain’ after 200-plus passengers are stranded

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/cruise-company-founder-says-hes-the-villain-after-200-plus-passengers-are-stranded/
- Published: 2026-10-31T21:05:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T23:38:22+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/cruise-company-founder-says-hes-villain-200-plus-passengers-stranded
- Topics: Americas, Business, Companies, World

## Key points

- Fuel costs halted the Odyssey’s voyage.
- 203 residents left the ship in Cambodia.
- Passengers gave differing accounts of their notice.

## Summary

The Villa Vie Odyssey has suspended its round-the-world voyage after fuel costs left its operator unable to sustain the trip, forcing 203 residents to disembark in Cambodia. Founder Mikael Petterson said he feels responsible and is working on a solution, while the ship’s captain described the decision as painful but necessary because fuel supplies were critical.

The ship sailed from Belfast in Northern Ireland two years ago for a planned three-and-a-half-year journey. Some residents had paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for lifetime access, including prices of $299,999 for a single cabin and $499,999 for a double. The captain said residents were given more than 24 hours to leave, while some passengers told the Associated Press they had only seven hours’ notice and had to arrange their own accommodation.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.