Residents of the MV Odyssey had hours to leave a ship marketed for years of living, and its owner now owes about $500,000, CBS News reported.
The luxury cruise ship was arrested in Singapore, where court records list law firm Helmsman LLC as the arresting solicitor, though the firm’s client is not identified, CBS News reported.
A source familiar with the matter told CBS News the arrest likely came from a fuel supplier. The vessel is now operated by its lender after owner Villa Vie Residences fell behind on payments.
Villa Vie Residences owes one supplier in the area approximately $500,000, according to CBS News. It is unclear whether that supplier hired Helmsman LLC to seek the arrest.
Newsdive.net reported the same court documents name Helmsman LLC without identifying its client. The outlet confirmed the owner owes a local supplier about $500,000.
Tnnews.ai described the court-ordered arrest as preventing the Odyssey from leaving Singapore while disputes over unpaid bills are resolved.
The MV Odyssey launched in October 2024 on a round-the-world voyage marketed as a years-long floating residence, tnnews.ai reported. The journey ended abruptly last month in Cambodia.
Residents on board had just hours to disembark, CBS News reported. Newsdive.net confirmed passengers were given only a few hours to leave.
Accounts from multiple sources familiar with the final weeks described a scramble to find fuel while stuck in Singapore, crew rushing to obtain provisions after food shipments ended, and temporary detention in Hong Kong, CBS News reported.
The ship is currently being operated by its lender after Villa Vie Residences could not keep up with payments, CBS News reported. Tnnews.ai noted the lender had effectively taken charge of day-to-day operations by the fall.
Court records list Singapore law firm Helmsman LLC as the arresting solicitor. A source familiar with the matter told CBS News it is likely a fuel supplier, though the firm’s client remains unidentified.
Villa Vie Residences reportedly owes about $500,000 to at least one supplier in the region. CBS News reviewed records showing the debt, though it is unclear if that supplier initiated the legal action.
When did the cruise end? The voyage launched in October 2024 and ended last month in Cambodia. Residents on the ship had just hours to disembark, according to CBS News.
The arrest moves the saga from logistical chaos at sea into a courtroom fight over debts and control, tnnews.ai reported.
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