A US woman has detailed her experience living on a cruise ship that left hundreds of passengers stranded in Cambodia after the owners said fuel costs forced them to stop.
Sharon Lane had been excited to spend the next 15 years onboard The Odyssey. But she said that within 15 months she began noticing less food being served, fewer ports being visited and more time spent idling.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luxury cruise ship stranded in Cambodia
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Lane, now 78, welcomed NBCLA into her new home, which was sparsely furnished because she sold most of her belongings last year. The retiree had not planned on living in Orange County — or even on land — again.
“We were literally floating out in the ocean, not spending gas to propel ourselves in any one direction or the other,” Lane said.
The 642-foot residential cruise ship, owned and operated by Florida-based Villa Vie, promised a luxurious life at sea.
On Tuesday the company — citing soaring fuel costs — halted operations in Cambodia, leaving 200 passengers stranded.
Lane says health issues forced her off the ship back in August. She said she knew the ship was having a hard time financing their operation when operators allegedly asked passengers to pay additional fuel fees several times over the past several months.
“I went, ‘They got to be out of their minds. How dare they?”’ Lane said.
“I have friends on that ship that couldn’t afford. They sold everything, and they live on Social Security, and they did not have high-end jobs when they were working.”
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She said that even the food onboard began to dwindle on some days.
“They went from lunchtime to almost 7pm — and they would put cookies out. That’s not enough food,” Lane said.
“They were mad people were taking food and hoarding it in their room. You don’t feed them. What do you expect?”
Villa Vie has not responded to NBCLA’s phone calls and emails for comment.
In a statement posted on its website Tuesday, Villa Vie said, in part: “Monthly fuel expense that historically averaged approximately $1800 has recently reached an estimated $6000 to $8000 in parts of Asia. The company cannot simply pass increases of that scale on to residents.”
It goes on to say it’s “working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements.”
Lane said she has heard from friends onboard the ship who say they are not getting help from the company.
“Despite what the owners said to media, they were not given help, any coupons for hotels,” she said.
Her room at sea costs more than $200,000 for 15 years or the life of the ship, according to Lane. She is now working with her insurance company.
“You know the ‘phrase giving the bum’s rush’? That’s what it feels like to me. On one level, I’m sad. On another level, I’m angry,” she said.
Villa Vie said it is working toward restructuring over the next 60 days, but no financing has been finalised.
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