A couple who sold their belongings to spend their retirement travelling the world on an 'endless' cruise have made a disturbing allegation about what happened onboard before passengers were suddenly ordered to leave.
Paul and Lynn Montoya, from Wyoming, had dreamed of spending their later years exploring different countries without ever needing to pack up and return home.
They reportedly paid $179,000 (£134,000) for a cabin aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship offering passengers the opportunity to live at sea while travelling around the globe.
However, after approximately 17 months onboard, their dream came to an unexpected end when the cruise operator suspended operations in Cambodia.
Now, the couple have revealed what they claim was happening behind the scenes, including repeated financial demands and a growing sense that something was seriously wrong.
What have the couple accused the cruise operator of doing?
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lynn alleged that passengers were repeatedly pressured to provide additional money to keep the ship operating.
She claimed that requests for emergency funding often came while the vessel was docked, leaving residents concerned that they would be unable to continue their journey unless more money was raised.
According to Lynn, the couple ultimately spent approximately $450,000 (£338,000) on their cruise experience, considerably more than the original price of their cabin.
She alleged that the company had approached 22 residents seeking a collective loan of $2.2 million, with repayment arrangements promised.
However, Lynn claimed that the expected repayments had not arrived.
She also alleged that passengers were asked to raise another $1.5 million in September, followed by a further request for $360,000 while the ship was stranded in Cambodia.
The couple described feeling increasingly pressured by the requests, particularly when they were made shortly before scheduled departures.
Lynn said the situation had become so uncomfortable that passengers joked about feeling trapped onboard.
These are allegations made by the residents and have not been independently established in full.
What happened to the crew onboard?
The couple also claimed that the ship's financial difficulties had begun affecting crew members.
According to Lynn, some employees were experiencing delayed wages as the company's financial situation deteriorated.
She said residents became concerned about the crew's welfare and began collecting money to support workers whose payments had reportedly been affected.
Lynn claimed passengers were able to provide at least $100 each to 128 crew members.
Separate reporting by CBS News described financial documents indicating that the operator owed substantial sums to suppliers and crew members before the voyage was suspended.
The allegations have raised questions about how the cruise was being financed and whether residents were being asked to cover costs that would normally be the responsibility of the operator.
What warning signs did passengers notice?
Paul and Lynn claimed that conditions onboard had been deteriorating for months before the cruise was suspended.
Speaking to LADbible, Paul alleged that the company had repeatedly changed its itinerary and that passengers had experienced interruptions to their internet service.
He also claimed that food quality and availability had declined significantly.
Lynn said the loss of internet access had made it difficult for residents to contact family members, check bank accounts and manage their personal finances.
Meanwhile, other passengers told news outlets that they had become increasingly concerned about the company's ability to pay for fuel and essential supplies.
CBS News reported that internal documents showed the cruise operator had faced serious financial difficulties months before operations were suspended.
Why were passengers forced to leave the cruise?
Villa Vie Residences announced that it was suspending operations in Cambodia after experiencing significant increases in fuel costs.
The company explained that its operating expenses had risen to unsustainable levels, particularly while travelling through parts of Asia.
According to the operator, average monthly fuel expenses per cabin had increased from approximately $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 in some locations.
More than 200 passengers were onboard when the decision was announced.
Residents were reportedly given only hours to collect their belongings and leave the vessel, forcing many to arrange temporary accommodation at short notice.
Some passengers had sold their homes or invested substantial portions of their retirement savings in the cruise, leaving them facing considerable financial uncertainty.
What has Villa Vie Residences said?
Villa Vie Residences has attributed the suspension to extraordinary fuel price increases and mounting operating losses.
The company said it was exploring restructuring and recapitalisation options in an attempt to address its financial difficulties.
It also stated that it was working to assist affected residents and crew members during the disruption.
However, no confirmed agreement to restart operations had been announced at the time of reporting.
The company has not publicly addressed every individual allegation made by the Montoyas.
Do the couple regret moving onto the cruise?
Despite the financial uncertainty and the abrupt end to their journey, Paul and Lynn have insisted that their experience was not entirely negative.
They explained that living onboard had allowed them to visit extraordinary destinations and develop close friendships with people from around the world.
Paul told LADbible that even if the voyage ultimately lasted only 18 months, they had still experienced something remarkable.
Lynn similarly acknowledged that losing their investment would be disappointing but said the memories and relationships they had gained were invaluable.
For now, the couple face an uncertain future as the cruise operator attempts to resolve its financial difficulties.
And while their dream of a permanent life at sea may have ended sooner than expected, their allegations have raised serious questions about what happened during the voyage's final months.
