A Florida woman who sold all her possessions for a cabin on board a cruise ship which was stranded in Belfast for more than three months claims she has been banned from the vessel over comments she made on WhatsApp.
The luxury Villa Vie cruise liner was docked in Belfast for more than 12 weeks after problems with the rudders and gearbox led to several delays.
The Telegraph reports that 68-year-old Jenny Phenix claims she has been barred from the ship after raising complaints with other cruise passengers.
Ms Phenix said the repair works might extend into the journey and discussed having to stay in a substitute cabin because staff members occupied the one registered under her name. However, after being made aware of the complaints, management informed her that she was no longer welcome on board.
Villa Vie Residences chief operating officer, Kathy Villalba, informed 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 wellbeing of other passengers.
“Given the overwhelming feedback, we must cancel your contract permanently to uphold the wellbeing and satisfaction of our community.”
Ms Phenix told The Telegraph: “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.”
In a statement shared with the newspaper, Villa Vie Residences chief executive Mike Pettersen 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.”
Cruise ship passengers on the continuous round the world trip had been docked in Belfast for more than three months before eventually departing the city in September.
