A woman banned from joining residential ship Villa Vie Odyssey when it set sail on an “endless cruise” from Belfast in October is elated to finally be able to board next month.
Bonny Kelter, one of two would-be passengers whose contracts were terminated for making critical comments in a private WhatsApp group, has reached an agreement with Villa Vie Residences.
She will now join the ship in Panama City on December 17, just in time for the South America segment of its maiden three-and-a-half-year world cruise.
The initial sailing, originally planned for May, had been delayed by a series of repairs and inspections, leading to frustration among passengers who had already committed substantial sums for their new homes aboard the vessel.
Bonny, who paid over £75,000 for her cabin, was left stranded onshore when the ship finally departed in October, despite having already moved nine boxes and two suitcases onboard – including her medicines and jewellery.
“I am happy that Villa Vie Residences and I were able to resolve our issues,
“I am elated about joining the ship and beginning the fulfillment of my lifetime dream of traveling the world while living aboard a cruise ship.”
Bonny Kelter
The other woman banned over the WhatsApp messages, Jenny Phenix, remains in dispute with Villa Vie Residences, highlighting ongoing tensions among those affected by the delays.
The Odyssey represents a growing trend of residential cruise ships, where passengers purchase cabins to live aboard full-time as the vessel travels the globe.
For some, it offers a dream lifestyle of adventure and community, while for others, delays and disputes have cast a shadow over the experience.
Villa Vie Residences has not yet commented on the matter, but the controversy surrounding the bans raises questions about how companies handle customer dissatisfaction, particularly in the context of high-cost ventures like residential cruising.
With tickets often costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, maintaining positive relationships with residents is critical to the success of these floating communities.
The delayed start to the Odyssey’s journey was not the only issue to cause frustration.
Passengers had also voiced concerns about transparency around ship readiness and communication from the company.
For Bonny, though, her upcoming embarkation signals a fresh start after months of uncertainty.
The Odyssey is set to visit destinations across South America in its upcoming leg, including Colombia, Peru, and Chile, offering passengers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the continent while living in the comfort of their floating homes.
As for Bonny, her much-anticipated reunion with her possessions – and her dream of endless travel – is now just weeks away.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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