Windjammer cruise line struggles to sail out of financial woes

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, which offers popular casual cruises on tall ships in the Caribbean, has sailed into a sea of financial trouble lately, with cruises abruptly canceled and crew unpaid this month.

However, the Florida-based cruise line has vowed it will sail again although cruises are canceled at least through the week of Oct. 21.

"We are actively working with several investor groups on a viable plan to continue the Windjammer tradition." said Danny Walsh, operations manager of the company that his grandfather founded 60 years ago.

Critical payments have been made to shipboard staff and debt obligations, the cruise line said in a statement issued Monday. And "arrangements are now under way to restart the cruises in the Caribbean and Costa Rica. Essential crew and staff are working to continue vital operations on all the ships in the Windjammer inventory. A communications plan is being developed to alert future customers as to their cruise status," the cruise line said.

The abrupt cancellation of cruises had left many passengers high and dry, including some who had flown to departure ports.

Windjammer has been in severe financial difficulties for several months, with fierce divisions and legal battles among the family members who control the company, that culminated in the cessation of cruises this fall.

Those whose cruises have been canceled can wait to see if the cruise line reschedules them for a later date. Or travelers who paid by credit card can file with credit-card companies for reimbursement (under federal fair-credit laws for services not delivered). It's best to move quickly since there are time limits on credit-card reimbursement, and if Windjammer files for bankruptcy it could get even more complicated.

Windjammer has many loyal repeat passengers, including some who have been fundraising to help crew members stranded when the company abruptly halted its cruises.

The cruise line has posted some information about its plight and plans on its much-simplified Web site, www.windjammer.com There is also some recorded information on its phone line, 800-327-2601.

A Windjammer passengers bulletin board, run by an Everett woman, has many updates and discussions online at www.jammerbabe.com/flotilla/

Kristin Jackson: kjackson@seattletimes.com