Couple who've spent $460,000 to live on 'endless' cruise left 'heartbroken' after being forced to leave

A couple who spent hundreds of thousands of pounds to live permanently at sea after giving up their home have spoken out about their heartbreak after everyone was suddenly booted off the ship.

The Villa Vie Odyssey, marketed as a voyage to the seven continents with long-term living, suspended its three-year journey in Cambodia due to fuel costs, forcing hundreds of passengers to become stranded.

Its operator had offered to 'make the Odyssey your permanent home' and had been scheduled to leave Belfast in May 2024, but was delayed for months due to unexpected repairs.

It eventually set sail in October, heading for France, and managed two years at sea.

But residents were suddenly told to disembark while the company said it was 'working to address extraordinary increases in fuel costs and evaluate restructuring and recapitalisation alternatives’ earlier this week.

The company said its fuel costs had risen from an historical average of $1,800 (£1,350) per cabin to an estimated $6,000 (£4,500) to $8,000 (£6,000).

"Our immediate reaction was heartbreak"

Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin were among the hundreds of guests who were turfed off the boat after planning for the life at sea after boarding in October 2024.

After two years, with costs of around $100,000 for a cabin (£75,000) and monthly additional fees for maintenance at $3,500 per month (£2,633), it is estimated they spent in the region of $460,000 (£343,000).

The pair have long-documented their journey on their Living Life on a Cruise YouTube channel, which has been covered throughout their trip by LADbible.

But their happy travels came crashing down when, along with hundreds of others on board, they were told they had to leave the ship in Cambodia with just hours notice.

Lanette and Johan went for the full ownership option on their cabin and still have around 12 years left of their lease onboard the ship.

Lanette told the Independent: “Our immediate reaction was a deep sense of heartbreak at having to leave the home and community we had built over the past two years.

“It was difficult to process the news while packing up our life and saying goodbye to the place we had come to love.”

She explained how company Villa Vie helped unload suitcases and provided shuttles to and from the port but offered no financial support for hotels.

Despite a lack of clarity, she added: "Regardless of whether operations resume, we have decided to move on. We’re doing well, considering everything, but we are heartbroken. There have been many hugs and tears."

Sharing an emotional post online, they wrote: "It’s been a crazy, exhausting few days packing up our home of two years and saying goodbye. I don’t think it’s all sunk in yet.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent love and support. We’re behind on replying, but we appreciate you so much.

"Somehow we’re still smiling. We’ve got each other, friendships we’ll keep long after leaving this ship, and plenty more adventures ahead."

200 passengers booted off ship

For now, the ship is docked at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand, with no certain departure date.

The ship has been carrying 203 passengers, mostly Americans, along with 156 crew members, according to Cambodian officials. It has a 650-passenger capacity.

Other people on board have also since hit out, including Paul and Lynn Montoya, formerly of Wyoming, who had decided to sell their home and belongings and embark on the adventure.

The couple also shared their experience through the Lynn and Paul's Excellent Adventure YouTube channel, and had parted with $179,000 for their own cabin.

Speaking to LADbible this week, Lynn said that her fellow passengers were emotional after the announcement, adding: “Disbelief, crying, sadness, and then that immediate rush that you're losing your home and you have to pack everything up or or take whatever you can with you.

“We left a lot of our stuff behind in the cabin. We took two large suitcases and two smaller suitcases and a backpack, but that was really just our essentials, probably for a two-week period.”

The ship arrived in Sihanoukville last Friday and was scheduled to depart on Wednesday, according to a statement from Long Dimanche, the deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province.

He said it was now expected to refuel and depart Cambodia on Saturday, but the ship’s operator has not yet publicly confirmed any date.

Villa Vie Residences said in a statement: “We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses.

"Passing the full increase on to residents is not a realistic solution. Our focus now is on supporting residents, crew, and employees.

“The company is working with residents to co-ordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements".

The LADbible Group has contacted Villa Vie Residences for comment.