Windjammer Barefoot Cruises has apparently cancelled the Nov. 3 departure of the Legacy, a cruise billed as the restart of the financially troubled line.
Two members of the Burke family, which owns the company, have promoted a $399 offer for a weeklong cruise on Legacy as part of the "Windjammer Restart" program.
The discounted fares were purportedly to be used as "startup money for food, fuel and wages." The company's four sailing ships have been laid up in ports in the Caribbean and Costa Rica. Joseph Burke, the youngest son of founder Capt. Mike Burke, has been joined by Danny Walsh, Capt. Burke's grandson, in trying to resurrect the line.
While company executives have not responded to phone or email messages left by Travel Pulse Daily on and off for two months, Joseph Burke and Walsh have posted messages on a website of devoted fans in recent days -- most recently to promote the Nov. 3 cruise.
However, on Nov. 1, a memo apparently signed by Walsh said the Nov. 3 cruise is cancelled. "We would like you to know that we will be sailing on the week of the 17th," the memo reads. The message invites passengers already in Costa Rica to board the Legacy. "Feel free to call to rebook, we will cover air charges," the message states.
However, the company's website, which on Oct. 31 included a PayPal link for booking the $399 fare, did not include any notice of the cancellation on Nov. 1.
Several travel insurers are no longer covering Windjammer voyages, and ASTA (American Association of Travel Agents) has issued a cautionary alert to its members.
For more information, call 800-327-2600 or visit www.windjammer.com.
Source: Modern Agent
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