Pensioner sells everything for £265k world cruise - before being kicked off after blunder
Jenny Phenix, from Florida, had been venting to other passengers about delays in a private WhatsApp before being banned from the ship.
Ms Phenix also aired concerns to fellow passengers that refurbishment work could continue even after the ship left Northern Ireland, forcing her to use a temporary cabin.
But after voicing frustrations like these and others in the private chat, she was informed by owners Villa Vie Residences that her contract had been cancelled.
The firm's COO Kathy Villalba told Ms Phenix: “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 insisted she was never rude or disrespectful, and never made personal attacks. "These were private conversations – I posted nothing on social media platforms," she said.
“The frustration among the residents grew after every delay. I tended to be one of the more outspoken in asking important questions.
But she said many of the residents "thanked me privately for speaking up for the entire group".
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She paid a deposit on the initial world voyage, and was planning to decide whether she wanted to buy a cabin or go for the Endless Horizon programme - which allows customers to sail the world for the rest of their days.
But she later decided to abdandon the trip due to the delays, and joined the last leg of another world cruiseliner, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, before returning home to Sunshine State.
Ms Phenix, a divorced mother-of-two, has been partly refunded and is waiting to receive the remaining balance
She told the newpaper she is devastated by the outcome and “will have to stay with my daughter until I figure out a whole new plan for my life.”
Some have been renting hotels in the Northern Irish capital while waiting for the all-clear, while others have left the country until the ship is ready.
Though the cruise firm was initially paying the accomodation costs for passengers which were said to be £382,000 per month, this was “unsustainable”.
Mike Petterson, the chief executive of Villa Vie Residences, said in a statement: “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."
Commenting on the accomodation situation he said: "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.”
