Originally published October 9, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 9, 2007 at 5:31 PM
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...
Seattle Times travel staff
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
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 11:33 AM
Get ready for Thanksgiving flight delays, thanks to New York
UPDATE - 12:30 PM
Biofuel used on Boeing 747 flight
Thanksgiving travel plans expected to grow slightly
Ask Travel: A free day in Prague

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
8 Drawer Dresser with Attached Mirror - $200
8 seat pecon formal dining table and china hutch - $1500
A American Table, Chairs and Bench - $275
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
Give yourself a treat and visit Watson Kennedy's Holiday Open Houses
More minding the store
events for Monday, Nov. 23
- Contractors equipment and vehicle auction
- Pitch Black Weekend Sale at Mapel
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Black Friday Sale
- Dish It Up! Totally Truffles
editors' picks
More shopping guides- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
326 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
200 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
170 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
135 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
93 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
78 - New Husky recruit: Enes Kanter
75 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
69 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
64 - Ranking the Pac
53
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Taste | The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit

