Dwight and Sheila Greene of Fort Worth bought a cabin aboard Villa Vie Residence's Odyssey last May, hoping to make the ship their home at sea. This week, they were among the passengers told to leave the ship in Cambodia as it entered what the company called a "temporary layup period."
The company cited rising fuel costs amid conflict in the Middle East. In a statement, it said it had cut fuel use since the conflict began in late February by slowing the itinerary and spending more time in port. The company said those steps were not enough to offset the increase in fuel costs and that it could not keep covering the resulting operating losses.
The Greenes said they had contributed additional money earlier this year to help keep the ship operating. Dwight Greene said that most people who had paid attention knew there were issues. Records obtained by NBC News show a lawsuit filed last year that alleges the company misrepresented its financial stability. The Greenes said they are not blaming anyone.