On Friday, the CEO of the company behind the doomed Odyssey cruise ship apologized to residents, many of whom are now stranded in Cambodia. Hours later, that apology was gone.
Villa Vie Residences CEO and founding partner Kathy Villalba sent Odyssey residents a message on Circle, the ship’s internal messaging platform, saying she was sorry for the “pain, the loss, and the uncertainty” they face after the voyage came to an abrupt halt this week.
Villa Vie had promised residents of its 509-cabin ship a chance to live permanently at sea and circumnavigate the world every three-and-a-half years. On Tuesday morning, residents were given only a few hours’ notice to disembark.
Business Insider reviewed screenshots of the memo, which was deleted hours after it was posted. Three Villa Vie residents with access to Circle confirmed the memo’s contents and that it was no longer visible.
In it, Villalba said the media attention had become “overwhelming” and that she had been advised to refrain from making further public comments.
Villalba and Villa Vie did not respond to requests for comment on the memo or why it was deleted.
Read more of our reporting on the Villa Vie Odyssey
In the apology note, Villalba said the company was still in talks with potential investors and expressed hope that a resident-led initiative to buy the ship would succeed.
You can read the full text here:
Dear Residents, I owe all of you a message, and I am sorry if it has taken me this long to find the words. I think part of me has been in denial that this could really be happening. Even now, we continue to speak with potential investors, holding on to whatever hope remains because I simply cannot imagine letting this dream go. The media attention has become overwhelming, to the point that reporters are now contacting our families, including people who have nothing to do with the company. On the advice of counsel, I have been asked to refrain from making further public comments, particularly as even conversations within Circle are no longer private. But I couldn’t remain silent without telling you how deeply sorry I am for the pain, the loss, and the uncertainty so many of you are facing. I know so many of you are hurting, scared, and angry, and I wish more than anything that I could take that pain away. For nearly two years, this wasn’t just a business to me. It was my entire life. I poured my heart, my soul, and everything I had into it The ship was my baby, but it was your home, and in so many ways, all of you became my family. I care for this community as though it were my own children, through the good days and the difficult ones. My team used to call me the “Resident Wikipedia,” because I knew all of you by name and by story. That meant so much to me, because getting to know each of you individually was the best part of all of this. The thought of losing it leaves a hole in my heart that I cannot begin to describe. Thank you for believing in two ordinary people with an extraordinary dream. Together, we created something truly special. We traveled the world, built friendships, shared laughter and tears, and experienced a way of life that so few people ever get to know. I still don’t want this to be the end. I sincerely hope the resident initiative succeeds, and we stand ready to assist wherever we reasonably can to help preserve the lifestyle you have all grown to love. Please know that we love and care about each and every one of you. Through the good and the bad, even through the disagreements and disappointments, that has never changed. Above all, I hope everyone is safe, supported, and looking after one another during this incredibly difficult time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this dream. With love, Kathy <3
