Cruising has become so popular over the years that some people decide to just live on a cruise ship.
Of course, if you’re going to live on a cruise ship full-time, you don’t really need to have a whole lot of things on land. So many people sell their homes and most of their possessions before they make the transition from living on land to living on a big boat.
That was exactly what Jenny Phenix did. The 68-year-old Floridian put everything on the line for the traveling experience of a 3.5-year cruise that would take her to 147 countries, 425 destinations, 7 continents, and 100 islands. She sold her business and possessions, raising close to the $330,000 she would need to board the Villa Vie Odyssey‘s maiden voyage.
But before the ship was even ready to take passengers, she was banned from ever stepping aboard.
Multiple delays
The voyage had admittedly been delayed several times. It was originally supposed to set sail in May 2024, but that got moved to July and, most recently, September.
Problems were found while the ship was in dry dock at the Harland & Wolff shipbuilding yard in Belfast (yep, that’s where the Titanic was built). Because the vessel had been idle for four years during the pandemic, its certifications expired, so Villa Vie had to start from scratch.
CEO Mike Petterson had told CNN in early September that work on the ship that had been recommended in the past needed to be carried out, but documentation on past repairs was also never provided.
The delay left several passengers, including Phenix, stranded in Belfast, waiting for the ship to be approved to sail.
PC: Villa Vie
Delays caused problems…
However because of the delays, the ship would no longer be docking in Miami, and that’s where Phenix had planned to pick up the rest of her stuff for the duration of the cruise.
On top of that, due to ongoing refurbishment work that’s due to continue on the ship even after it departs Belfast, she would have to use a temporary cabin since the crew would use the one she paid for.
…and grumbling
Phenix was part of a group WhatsApp chat with other would-be passengers and vented her frustrations at the multi-pronged situation.
Phenix claims her messages were later shared with the owners of Villa Vie Residences, who operate the ship and resulted in them canceling her trip, citing “behavior impacting community morale.”
Banned!
Chief Operating Officer Kathy Villalba 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,” Villalba said, as per the Telegraph.
Phenix was stunned by this news. She explained: “I was never rude or disrespectful and I never participated in personal attacks. These were private conversations – I posted nothing on social media platforms,” she insisted.
“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.”
Phenix—who has been partly refunded for the sailing she’s been banned from and is waiting to get the remaining balance—paid an initial deposit on the worldwide voyage. She planned to decide onboard whether she wanted to cough up between $120K and $330K for a cabin or join the ‘Endless Horizon program’, which lets passengers enjoy unlimited cruises for the rest of their lives.
The trip would involve 425 destinations in 147 countries, with Phenix explaining: “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.”
She said…
Phenix says she’s been “living out of a suitcase” since December while waiting for the ship to be ready. She claims she has been left majorly disappointed over her ban from the upcoming voyage with Villa Vie.
“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. I will have to stay with my daughter until I figure out a whole new plan for my life,” Phenix said.
They said…
Meanwhile, Villa Vie Residences Chief Executive Mike Petterson insisted that 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,” he said.
“We have nothing else to comment on the ongoing dispute.”
Of the delays, he added: “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.”
Incidentally, Villa Vie Residences told residents last week that it would stop paying the $500,000 monthly cost of covering hotel bills, saying the expense was “unsustainable”.
Of Phenix, Petterson said: “She didn’t just complain in the chats but created a very hostile and toxic environment amongst residents. After receiving dozens of complaints and multiple cancellations directly related to the mayhem she created, we decided to suspend her contract entirely. This was subsequently voted on by the residents who overwhelmingly decided to uphold her suspension.”
Phenix, meanwhile, has gone back to Florida. She says the ordeal has worn her down.
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