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Take a look inside the 'never-ending' Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship stranded in Cambodia

Take a look inside the 'never-ending' Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship stranded in Cambodia

Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey was designed with the idea of residents being able to spend the rest of their days aboard a luxurious cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean cruise ship Jewel of the Seas sails through blue water near green islands.
The Odyssey cruise ship was designed to live on.
  • Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey ship was meant to be a 'never-ending' luxury cruise.
  • But its voyage ended just over 2 years after it first set sail.
  • From its luxurious suites to gym facilities, take a look inside the doomed cruise ship.

In the famous ancient Greek poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus' journey home took him 10 years. The voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship was much shorter.

The promise of Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey cruise ship was that passengers could purchase or rent one of the rooms, with the idea of spending the rest of their days aboard a luxurious cruise ship.

The company had retrofitted the 33-year-old ship and sold permanent cabins priced from $119,999 to $439,999.

However, the company suspended the cruise ship's operations on October 27, 2026, just over two years after it first set sail. Villa Vie Residences cited rising fuel costs as the reason.

"I think we would have been absolutely fine — and we would have seen this through — if there was no Iran war," Mikael Petterson, founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie, told Business Insider this week.

With photos from Villa Vie Residences' media kit for the Odyssey, and information from its official website, take a look inside the doomed Villa Vie Odyssey.

The Odyssey is 195 meters long and could house 650 residents.
White cruise ship ODYSSEY sails through blue water in front of a glacier and rocky mountains.

Residents could either opt for full ownership of a room or rent one for a shorter-term stay.

It offered a culinary experience using local ingredients from every place it traveled.
Large formal dining room set with round tables, white linens, glassware, and chairs under a circular ceiling feature.
Thistle Restaurant

The Thistle Restaurant offered a daily menu that rotated on a 14-day cycle, with an emphasis on healthy, locally sourced cuisine.

The buffet-style Palms Café also had a 14-day rotating menu.
Chef works at a buffet station beside a long restaurant serving counter with food trays and plates.

Lunchtimes also included an American grill for those missing a taste of home.

The Coral Club was the spot for late-night entertainment.
Lounge with a small stage, bar, blue seating, and shell-patterned carpet in a warmly lit interior.
Coral Club

It offered activities such as live music, dancing, and karaoke.

Another socializing space is The Morning Light Pub.
Elegant lounge bar with red leather seating, bar stools, wood paneling, large windows, and patterned green carpet.
Morning Light Pub

It offered a café menu in the mornings and turned into a bar in the evenings.

The Observatory also offered a similar day-to-night vibe.
Curved wooden bar with cream stools inside a lounge overlooking water through large slanted windows.
Observatory

On Deck 8, The Observatory was a café that turned into a sunset-watching spot in the evening.

Villa Vie describes the Neptune Lounge as the place for "top-tier entertainment."
Empty lounge with red seating, cocktail tables, a stage, curtains, and a grand piano under a patterned ceiling.
Neptune Lounge

It offered local entertainment from each destination, such as live music and shows.

The Business Center offered a place to work for residents.
Open-plan office with wood desks, black chairs, indoor plants, glass partitions, and a paneled ceiling.
The Business Center.

Connected to Starlink, the Business Center was open to all residents at no extra charge, with private offices available as well.

The Fitness Center features cardio and strength-training equipment, along with ocean views.
Bright fitness room with treadmills, stationary bikes, weights, mirrors, and one person exercising on a treadmill.
Fitness Center

It also offered classes, such as yoga and wellness sessions.

On Deck 3, there is a spa equipped with a sauna and steam room.
Warmly lit changing area with wooden bench, towels, cabinets, shower room, and tiled walls.
Spa and Steam room
There was an on-site hairdresser in the spa.
Warmly lit hair salon interior with styling chairs, mirrors, product carts, posters, and tiled flooring.
Odyssey spa
As well as a nail salon.
Spa treatment room with manicure polish display, pedicure chair, lamps, and massage tables in adjoining rooms.
Spa

There is also a medical center on-site Deck 2.

On Deck 8, there is a pool deck.
Cruise ship pool deck with lounge chairs, sunbathers, bright blue water, and ocean views beyond the railing.
People by pool

It's also equipped with jacuzzis.

The deck also has a pickleball court.
Players rally on an outdoor pickleball court on a ship deck under cloudy skies.
Pickleball court
One of the room types available for rent was the porthole villa.
Cruise ship cabin with a double bed, two round windows, wall lamps, curtains, and ski slope artwork.
Porthole Villa

During meal times, all residents were given access to complimentary wine and beer.

The balcony suites have a separate living area.
Compact guest room interior with bed, desk, mirror, wall-mounted TV, and door in warm beige decor.
Balcony suite
The superior suite had a private balcony, a separate living area, and an additional living space.
Spacious hotel-style cabin with a large bed, sofa, desk, wall art, and a person seated in an armchair reading.
Superior suite
Read the original article on Business Insider