Villa Vie Residences'
residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey reportedly departed Cambodia
for Singapore at around 00:00 local time on Wednesday, November 4, after the
lender took possession of the vessel.
The ship's AIS track indicated Singapore as her destination. A company
message to residents, obtained by CBS News, confirmed the change of
control. "The lender has taken
possession of the ship, but that does not mean Odyssey's future has been
decided," the message said. "No sale has been scheduled. We believe
there is time to bring forward a viable plan and are working to do
that." Villa Vie founder and
Executive Chairman Mike Petterson told CBS News the lender had assumed
responsibility for the vessel.
"They have now the responsibility to pay the crew, fuel and the
operations of the vessel and safekeeping of the vessel," Petterson
said. Sources cited by CBS News
said the ship could eventually be auctioned in Singapore. Management is seeking an operational
partner and a funded restructuring plan to recover the ship. "This is a 30- to 90-day process,
and, during that process, we have time to get a restructure done,"
Petterson said. He added that the
lender would be, "willing to work with a funded plan". Executives
have since reiterated that refinancing cannot be guaranteed. In its message to residents, Villa Vie
estimated that a Chapter 11 proceeding could cost US$3 million in its first 60
days. It proposed relying on debtor-in-possession financing and resident
maintenance collections, together with new capital and experienced operators. Sources interviewed by CBS News
said a lender's refusal to provide financing ended a resident-led effort to
purchase the ship. The proposal had attracted pledges from 169 residents
prepared to contribute more money.
Villa Vie suspended operations on October 27, citing its inability
to obtain fuel. At the time, 203 passengers and 156 crew were on board. Residents were given until 14:00 that day to
disembark. Some former residents have
complained that their belongings were still aboard when the ship sailed. Most former residents remain in Cambodia. BTV
News Global reported on November 2 that nearly 30 had flown home and more
than 60 were staying in hotels in Preah Sihanouk Province. Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism coordinated
hotel discounts of 40 to 50 per cent for the passengers. The 24,344GT Villa Vie Odyssey was
built in Spain and entered service in 1993. She sailed as Braemar for
Fred Olsen Cruises, which acquired her in 2001.
A 31-metre mid-body was added in 2008, giving
her a length of 195 metres. Villa Vie took delivery in February 2024, and the
ship departed Belfast on her residential voyage on October 3, 2024.