Jenny Phenix was told she was affecting ‘community morale’ (Picture: Facebook)
A woman who ‘lived out of a suitcase’ to fund an around-the-world cruise was banned from the ship before she even set foot on board after her WhatsApp messages were leaked.
Jenny Phenix, from Florida, was messaging fellow passengers in a private group chat to complain that a four-month-delay in sailing meant the Villa Vie Odyssey would no longer call into Miami.
The 68-year-old also said she was worried refurbishment work would mean she would have to use a temporary cabin as the one she had booked was still being used by crew.
After sharing her concerns, she received a notice from the ship owners that her contract had been cancelled for ‘behaviour impacting community morale’.
Villa Vie Residences cancelled her contract, with chief operating officer Kathy Villalba saying: ‘We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity.
‘This behaviour 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.’
Ms Phenix said she was worried refurbishment work would mean she would have to use a temporary cabin (Picture: Facebook)
But Ms Phenix insists she was ‘never rude or disrespectful’, saying she was simply engaging in private conversations.
She said: ‘The frustration among the residents grew after every 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.’
The ship was due to visit 425 destinations across 147 countries.
She said: ‘During the past year and a half I have liquidated businesses and possessions, eagerly awaiting my new life cruising the world. I have been living out of a suitcase since December 2023.
‘Along with many others, I flew to Southampton originally to embark on this journey on May 15.
‘We had been notified of one short delay, but nothing seemed critical and, of course, travel plans and hotel reservations had been made months in advance.’
The Odyssey, a US cruise liner operated by Villa Vie Residences docked at Harland & Wolf ship repair facility in Belfast Harbour (Picture: AP)
But the first major change to the schedule was to move the ship’s departure to Belfast on May 30, but the date kept being pushed back as problems at the dock yard arose.
The Odyssey had already been laid up for four years due to Covid, meaning new safety inspections had to be carried out.
It has undergone sea trials but is yet to set sail.
The mum-of-two has returned to Florida after joining the last leg of another world cruise, the Royal Caribbean’s nine-month Serenade of the Seas voyage.
She said: ‘I cannot even begin to explain the emotional devastation and the physical toll this has taken on me. It was weeks before I could talk about the situation and could even explain it to my children.
‘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.
Ms Phenix insists she was ‘never rude or disrespectful (Picture: Facebook)
‘I will have to stay with my daughter until I figure out a whole new plan for my life.’
Meanwhile other passengers waiting to set sail on the Odyssey have been waiting in Belfast.
But Cilla Vie Residences said they would stop covering the cost of their hotel fees as the £382,000 expense was ‘unsustainable’.
One couple from the US, Steve and Angela Theriac, have now flown back home while they wait for the ship to sail.
Others are choosing to remain in Belfast, with Holly Hennessy, 68, who is travelling with her cat Captain, saying: ‘The fact that VVR will no longer cover hotels is no concern to me as I’ve paid most of my own all along.
‘Other residents agree that the expenses couldn’t be covered for ever. I remain positive and optimistic that our ship will sail.’
Villa Vie Residences said: ‘Ms Phenix broke multiple terms and conditions and signed a non-disclosure agreement. The founding residents voted and agreed to uphold her suspension and we plan on respecting that decision. We have nothing else to comment on the ongoing dispute.
‘As for the accommodations, we have paid more than $2 million for people’s living expenses for four months. We have hundreds of residents spread out throughout Europe and are asking people to book their own hotel rooms until we launch next week. Their costs will be compensated with onboard credit of up to $200 a day.’
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