Couple Who Sold 31 Cars for Life at Sea Given 7 Hours to Leave Ship
A cruise sold as a 15 year home lasted just over two years for the Hawaii couple who traded a car rental fleet for a cabin. The Spirit knows a bet on the sea when he sees one.
On Tuesday 27 October 2026, ship time in Cambodia, residents of the Villa Vie Odyssey were ordered to leave the vessel by 2pm, about seven hours after the notice appeared. Among them were Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, the Hawaii couple who sold their Maui car rental business, a fleet of 31 vehicles, to live at sea for 15 years.
The ship left Belfast on 3 October 2024 and has since visited nearly 60 countries, according to the couple. Then came a message from the company's CEO. It said the Odyssey could not secure the fuel to keep running, so it was entering a temporary layup in Sihanoukville, with crew staying aboard. The couple had left the ship on 1 October to travel and flew back into Cambodia on 25 October, so they came home to a packing order.
Thirty one vehicles, one cabin, one very long horizon. gluwugulu.
The company says it will work on restructuring and recapitalization over the next 60 days, but it has warned that no outcome is assured. Residents get shuttle access to collect their belongings, and the line says it is helping to find temporary housing. Bodin said he felt for the people who had put their life savings into the ship.
The Spirit has watched plenty of people push a house onto one number. Few push it onto a ship, and he watches those hands quietlu, with respect.
Some voyages end in a harbour nobody picked. May the next port be a kind one.
Would youluwu sell everything for a life at sea?
No right answer. Just your gut, and the Spirit watching.
