A woman has spoken out after selling everything to go on a three-year cruise but ending up banned for exhibiting' behaviour impacting community morale'.
Jenny Phenix from Florida, US spent a year-and-a-half selling her possessions and liquidating her businesses - even living out of a suitcase since December 2023 - in order to be ready to up sticks and set sail for a new life onboard cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey.
Alas, the 68-year-old's dreams of cruising the world and traveling around a whopping 147 countries and 425 destinations would later be shattered and all because of some pesky WhatsApp messages.
Villa Vie Odyssey was originally planned to set sail in early May, however, it was delayed leaving passengers set to move on board stranded for around three months.
Not only this, but it was no longer due to be stopping in Miami where Phenix was planning on picking up some belongings.
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Phenix told The Telegraph: "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."
Frustrated by the experience and concerned about further delays and refurbishments risking being given a temporary cabin, Phenix took to a WhatsApp group chat between her and other residents.
She said: "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."
However, the cruise line ended up finding out about her grievances.
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Phenix was informed by chief operating officer Kathy Villalba the company had 'received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding [her] continuous complaints and negativity'.
Villalba continued: "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."
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Phenix defended herself arguing she 'was never rude or disrespectful' or 'participated in personal attacks' and that the conversations were 'private' and she didn't 'post' anything on social media.
She says the whole experience has caused her 'emotional devastation' and taken a 'physical toll' on her too.
Phenix resolved: "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.
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"I will have to stay with my daughter until I figure out a whole new plan for my life."
Phenix says she's been partly refunded after being kicked off the cruise and is waiting for the remaining sum to come through.
Chief executive of Villa Vie Residences, Mike Petterson, said in a statement to The Telegraph: "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."
UNILAD has contacted Villa Vie Odyssey for comment.
Topics: WhatsApp, Cruise ship, Travel, Money, Social Media, Florida, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck