A woman who sold all of her possessions in anticipation of living on a cruise ship for three years claims she was banned from going on it due to her private WhatsApp messages.
Jenny Phenix, 68, who is from Florida, had planned to spend the next few years sailing the seas on the Villa Vie Odyssey.
In preparation for the voyage, Jenny had sold all of her excess possessions and liquidated her businesses, but grew frustrated when the cruise was hit with lengthy delays.
She had voiced her frustration in private messages, but claims she was allegedly banned from the trip by the ship's owner after her WhatsApp messages were leaked to him.
Jenny had allegedly taken umbrage at many issues with the trip, including that it was delayed by four months before its maiden voyage was due to set sail, as well as the itinerary being changed.
She told The Telegraph: "During the past year and a half I have liquidated businesses and possessions, eagerly awaiting my new life cruising the world."
However, the divorced mother of two ended up "living out of a suitcase" since December while waiting to board the Villa Vie Odyssey.
She had traveled to Southampton in England in May, where she had been due to board the ship on the 15th, but was told the ship had been moved to Belfast, Ireland, and would be setting off on the 30th instead.
Unfortunately, the boat was unable to set sail then either, as more issues came up while it was dry docked.
The ship's certifications had allegedly expired as it sat idle for four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning its owners had to start all over again, the Telegraph reports.
Passengers were left waiting for four months, and were told that the ship's itinerary had also changed and would no longer dock in Miami, where Jenny had planned to pick up the rest of her belongings.
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She also says she was told that after the cruise began, she would have to stay in a temporary cabin as the crew was still using the one she'd booked for her three-year trip.
Jenny had shared her concerns over the developments in a WhatsApp group with other passengers, but claims she soon received a notice from the owners of Villa Vie telling her that her reservation had been canceled for "behavior impacting community morale."
Kathy Villalba, the ship’s chief operating officer, allegedly told her: "We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity.
"This behavior has significantly impacted the morale and well-being of other passengers."
The notice also allegedly told her that due to "overwhelming feedback" from other passengers they had to "permanently" cancel her contract in order to "uphold the well-being and satisfaction of our community."
Jenny was left shocked by the action, telling the outlet: "These were private conversations – I posted nothing on social media platforms.
"The frustration among residents grew after each delay. I tended to be one of the more outspoken in asking important questions. Many of the residents thanked me privately for speaking up for the entire group."
Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson told the Telegraph that Jenny "broke multiple terms and conditions and signed a non-disclosure agreement."
It is not the first time that Jenny's plan to live on a cruise ship has ended in disaster, however, as she had previously planned to sail on the Life At Sea, which was due to set sail on November 30, 2023.
Devastatingly, just days before it was due to leave, the company shared a notice on November 17 announcing that the cruise was canceled as it hadn't been able to buy the ship.
Life At Sea Cruises filed for bankruptcy and Jenny claims she is still owed the $30,000 deposit she'd paid.
The experience did not put her off wanting to live on a cruise ship and Jeny had waited for Villa Vie Residences to buy the Villa Vie Odyssey - formerly owned by Fred Olsen and named the Braemar - before buying her spot on the "Endless Horizons" program, which allows "individuals to retire on a luxury cruise ship with unlimited lifetime cruises."
The price of the program starts at $300,000 and guests were required to pay at least half of that upfront as a deposit.
Jenny claims she has been partially refunded after her spot was canceled and is waiting for the remainder of her deposit to be reimbursed.
The Odyssey has recently undergone sea trials to get recertified but is yet to begin its three-year voyage, which is set to visit 425 destinations in 147 countries.
Jenny has returned to Florida following the disappointment of being banned from the ship, telling the Telegraph: "I cannot even begin to explain the emotional devastation and the physical toll this has taken on me.
"It is still very hard for me to discuss, as I had the same dream everyone else on that ship does, and they took that from me seemingly without a thought."
She added that she will have to live with her daughter until she can "figure out a whole new plan for my life."
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