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Save/ShareWindjammer Barefoot Cruises has an intense following among many budget travelers. Windjammer's four yachts and schooners offer laid-back Caribbean itineraries. With main decks close to the waterline, its boats are small enough to allow passengers to dive off the side, when anchored. The cost of the cruises is typically $1,000 to $2,000 a week per person, including meals and taxes.
This summer has been a bad one for Windjammer, though. The company has had money problems. Workers have recently gone on strike. And this week, Windjammer, one of the last family-owned cruise lines, was taken over by a buyout company, according to the Miami Herald. The new owners will hopefully inject enough cash to resolve the strike and help repair the fleet.
You'll find more Windjammer coverage at CruiseCritic.com.
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I'd call that more than "a rough patch." The Wall Street Journal story about the past few weeks was about the worst I've ever seen for a cruise company--and that's saying a lot! Most of the crews hadn't been paid for week and were borrowing food from sympathetic sailors who knew them. Passengers were stranded in ports because the ships couldn't get water--their bill hadn't been paid for months! They kept taking bookings though and collecting those deposits...
Posted By Tim on August 26, 2007, 10:57 PM
Hi, Tim,
You raise a great point. Assuming that what's been reported is true, Windjammer treated its customers awfully this summer.
I was reluctant to hit the company too hard because I want for it to survive because it gives great value to customers. It's one of those situations where I wanted to balance out the bad news with the more positive news that an infusion of cash is on the way, thanks to a buyout company. I interviewed dozens of Windjammer passengers a couple of years ago for a story and I was blown away by the intense love they felt for the windjammer experience.
By the way, you've had some great posts at your Cheapest Destinations blog--which is a real service to budget travelers. http://travel.booklocker.com/
Regards,
Sean
Regards,
Sean
Posted By Sean on August 27, 2007, 11:37 AM
Thanks Sean. I agree that people (used to) love them--not like they're Princess Cruises. That makes it all the more sad that they blew it in such a major way across the whole line of ships. --Tim
Posted By Tim on August 27, 2007, 12:32 PM
I experienced it first hand this summer. Though I have to admit I was very lucky. My wife purchased a trip on the Poly the first week in August(6 - 11). We were to depart from Aruba and spend 5 days and six nights sailing between the ABC's. Well the boat was late. We were to board Sunday and we did not get on until 4:00pm Tuesday. We were left standing at the dock Sunday afternoon.
The story we were told was that the boat had thrown a drive shaft in May. We were told that due to delays in Columbia the boat would be late.
to make a long story short, we DID get to sail from Tuesday night until our return on Saturday. Unlike many of the stories I have read about trip just previous to mine and just after mine...we sailed. The crew was fantastic. We made it to all isalnds, but did miss the little extras. The boat did seem a little tired, but it was exactly as I had thought it would be. The crew was also working very hard on it at every stop. Really no different than a regualr cruise ship.
We are currently negotiating with Windjammer for compensation for the trip since we did not get all we paid for, but again I am happy for what we did get and, IF they can make it, plan to take an annual trip with them.
I do feel bad for those that were left high and dry on their cruises, but I hope Windjammer will step up to the plate, offer curises to compensate those shorted and once agin have its grateful following, because it truely is a wonderful experience.
Scott and Robyne
Posted By Scott E. Seeley on August 31, 2007, 3:12 PM