A woman who sold her belongings to embark on a $350,000 dream cruise has been banned from the ship after her WhatsApp messages were leaked. Jenny Phenix, 68, was among those who signed up for the three-year cruise across Europe, Asia, and the Americas aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey. However, her trip has faced major delays due to the ship’s renovations.
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The divorced mother of two had sold most of her possessions in anticipation of the cruise and planned to stop in Miami to collect her remaining belongings. However, she learned that the ship would no longer be docking there. In a WhatsApp group, she shared her frustrations with fellow passengers. She raised concerns that renovations may continue after departure, which could force her to stay in a temporary cabin because crew members still occupied her reserved cabin. According to the Daily Mail, the messages were leaked to the ship’s owners, Villa Vie Residences, who decided to cancel her contract due to “behavior impacting community morale.”
Phenix was shocked by the ban and insisted that she had not been rude or disrespectful. The company’s CEO, Kathy Villalba, informed her of the decision, citing over a dozen complaints from other passengers about her negative comments. Meanwhile, other passengers have also shared their struggles. Holly Hennessy, a 67-year-old Florida resident, mentioned resorting to Vitamin D tablets after being unable to enjoy the sunshine during the delays.
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Although Phenix received a partial refund, she is still confused by the company’s decision:
‘The frustration among the residents grew after every delay. I tended to be one of the most outspoken in asking important questions. Many of the residents thanked me privately for speaking up for the entire group.’
The Villa Vie Odyssey is expected to visit over 420 ports across 147 countries. However, the ship’s departure has been repeatedly delayed due to ongoing repairs in Belfast. Despite these setbacks, the ship recently completed two successful sea trials, and the company hopes to set sail soon.
