Villa Vie Residences promised cruise lovers at least a three-month voyage on what the company hopes will become a perpetual cruise. However, a 68-year-old Florida woman won’t get to traverse the world’s oceans on the Villa Vie Odyssey after the operator banned her for complaints in a private WhatsApp group chat over the cruise’s lengthy delays. Villa Vie Residences stated her contract was canceled for “behavior impacting community morale,” and she was effectively voted off the boat by the other residents.
Jenny Phenix was concerned that the work to refurbish the Odyssey and prepare the ship for permanent residents would continue even after its eventual departure from Belfast, Northern Ireland, according to the Telegraph. The Odyssey was initially scheduled to leave over three months ago. Villa Vie Residences booked alternative onshore accommodation for residents, allowing them to use the ship’s amenities during the day. This week, the company told residents that it would not cover hotel costs anymore, calling the $500,000 monthly expenditure unsustainable. Fenix told the newspaper:
“I was never rude or disrespectful and I never participated in personal attacks. These were private conversations – I posted nothing on social media platforms.”
“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 divorced mother of two paid a deposit and planned to decide whether to buy a cabin once onboard. Phenix feared she would have to live in a temporary cabin unless the crew moved out of her permanent residence. If everything went to plan, she would have moved all her belongings onboard once the ship reached Miami. Now, she will move in with her daughter as she figures out what to do next and waits for her refund. Villa Vie Residences stated:
“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.”
This isn’t the first time Fenix missed out on a residence at sea. She’s still owed $30,000 by Life At Sea after the venture filed for bankruptcy. While I understand the allure of traveling the world, doing so on a ship that has been mothballed for years is a recipe for disaster. The Villa Vie Odyssey will hopefully set out on its perpetual cruise next week.