Woman who bought every part for three-year cruise banned as WhatsApp chat leaked

A woman who sold all her belongings for a $350,000 dream cruise around the world is claiming she’s been banned from the ship after her private WhatsApp messages were leaked.

Jenny Phenix, a 68-year-old divorced mother from Florida, is among the unfortunate passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey, which has faced serious delays on its three-year journey through Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Many of the travellers have been stuck in Belfast for three months and are even taking Vitamin D supplements to combat the lack of sunshine.

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The cruise has been delayed due to extensive renovations on the ship, purchased by the company in 2023. Life at Sea Cruises isn’t covering food or lodging costs for those waiting, leading several passengers to return home because of the financial strain.

Phenix sold her possessions to join this adventure, intending to pick up some items in Miami along the way. But with the ship no longer scheduled to stop there, she shared in a WhatsApp group concerns the ship might still be undergoing repairs when it finally leaves Belfast – forcing her into a temporary cabin, reports Mail.

Her private messages apparently reached the ship’s management. Kathy Villalba, the Chief Operating Officer, informed 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. Given the overwhelming feedback, we must cancel your contract permanently to uphold the well-being and satisfaction of our community.”

Stunned by the notice, Phenix said: “I was never rude or disrespectful and I never participated in personal attacks.” She said her comments were meant for a private audience, not for social media. She noted many other passengers felt similarly frustrated and appreciated her willingness to voice concerns.

Other stranded passengers, some of whom sold their homes to join this cruise, have shared their own challenges. Holly Hennessy, 67, travelling with her cat, said: “It hasn’t felt like summer. It has been winter as far as I’m concerned. I’m used to the Florida sunshine. I had to go out and buy vitamin D tablets.”

Phenix had pinned her hopes on the cruise after losing $30,000 in a previous venture that went bankrupt. She had waited for Villa Vie to acquire the ship before signing on and had paid an initial deposit, considering whether to spend $120,000 to over $350,000 for a cabin.

After flying to Southampton in May, she anticipated a journey to 425 destinations. Although initially told of a minor delay, the ship’s departure was eventually pushed to Belfast, where further complications arose during dry dock at Harland & Wolff, known for building the Titanic.

CEO Mike Petterson explained issues with certification emerged because the previous owner failed to provide essential repair documentation.

As the delays continued, Phenix returned to Florida and joined a different cruise with Royal Caribbean. While she received a partial refund for the Odyssey, she’s still trying to make sense of the situation. “I cannot even begin to explain the emotional devastation,” she said.

In response to her actions, Mr Petterson said Phenix had violated several terms and conditions and that the founding residents had voted to uphold her suspension. He mentioned those still on board are expected to set sail soon after successful sea trials.

As for the stranded passengers, the company announced it would stop covering their hotel bills, which had already surpassed $2million, citing unsustainability. The residents will then be compensated with onboard credit of up to $200 each day, Mr Petterson said.

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