Florida-based cruise ship company promised never-ending voyage, took tens of thousands of dollars from passengers, then abandoned them in Cambodia citing fuel costs

A cruise ship that offered passengers the opportunity to live on board for years has left Cambodia without its residents after its owner suspended operations, citing soaring fuel costs linked to the Iran war.The Villa Vie Odyssey departed from the port town of Sihanoukville early on Wednesday (November 4), carrying around 50 crew members but no passengers.

More than 200 people who had paid tens of thousands of dollars for long-term stays on the vessel were forced to disembark last week.The ship's Florida-based owner, Villa Vie Residences, suspended operations, saying rising fuel prices caused by the Iran war had made running the vessel prohibitively expensive.According to Taing Sochitkrishna, head of the Sihanoukville tourism department, in Cambodia, around 100 passengers remained in Cambodia, while the others largely flew to other destinations in the region.Passengers collected their remaining belongings from the ship on Tuesday, with many saying they did not expect to return."There are still many things on the ship that I wish I could take with me," Shirine Thomas, from…