From the more Windjammer trouble department:

Windjammer Cruises has canceled three more weeks worth of cruises. Worse yet, Windjammer is being very hazy about when those people will get refunds. We understand there are also still lots of people waiting for refunds from canceled sailings even farther back. Windjammer is now also even unwilling to refund any charges for changing air fare for those who were on the canceled cruises.

In preparing today's edition of Cruise News Daily, we spoke with Sandi Copes of the Attorney General's office in Florida. She told CND that they have been contacted by 34 people regarding Windjammer. That doesn't necessarily mean 34 official complaints have been filed with them, but it is at least one step in the process. Depending on their circumstance, the individuals may go on to file full complaints.

She said that right now their office is conducting an internal review of the situation. She said that is a preliminary step to deciding whether or not to take some action against Windjammer.

Copes encouraged all consumers having a problem with Windjammer (even if they are not in Florida) to either call the Attorney General's office or register the information on their website. She said that helps them see if there is a trend, and it assists their office in deciding a course of action.

They'd like to hear from anyone who feels Windjammer hasn't dealt with them fairly, including people who have not been refunded money for canceled cruises, people who have had to resort to getting a chargeback on their credit cards, and people who are owed money for air fare to meet up with canceled cruises (especially those who may have gotten to the port before they found out the cruise was canceled).

Inside Florida, the number to call is 866-966-7226.
Outside Florida, the number is 850-414-3990.
The Attorney General also has an online complaint form.

From the no surprise department:

The Miami Herald reports that troubled Windjammer Barefoot Cruises has canceled two more weeks of cruises, October 14 and October 21. The bright spot, if there is one, is that at least Windjammer seems to have communicated with someone. In recent weeks, passengers, crew members and media have reported being unable to elicit responses from anyone at Windjammer's corporate offices. Beyond the new cancellation dates, however, the promises of new investors and return to normal service "shortly" sound like those that we've heard from dying cruise lines in the past.

Note: Link is valid at time of posting.

More Trouble for Windjammer

Official word about anything from Windjammer Barefoot Cruises seem nonexistent, but as anyone following the story knows, there are clear signs of trouble. But there is official word from the investor who at one time appeared to be their rescuer: The deal is off. Not only that, but now he's in the group of people filing suit against the line.

An article in the Miami Herald today, spells it all out. Basically the Herald article says that Jerry Ceder claims he broke off negotiations with Windjammer when he found they were also in negotiations with another investor, despite the contract with him that prohibited them from doing that. Not only that but TAG Virgin Islands which was believed to be part of the financial rescue, now tells the Herald that they were never involved.

Ceder's lawsuit claims he advanced Windjammer $373,000 during the negotiations to pay expenses and keep the ships from being arrested. He then says he became aware of Windjammer soliciting other investors. He wants his money back in addition to unspecified damages.

More trouble for the troubled line.

Note: Link is valid at the time of posting.

From the rumor department:

The rumors on the message boards all seem to be running in the direction that Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is not operating. One reports that the previously-announced investor has backed out, and the company is out of funds. One ship remains under arrest.

Posters on the message boards say that when they call the Windjammer office, they are told everything is fine, and for customers to send payments as scheduled.

We have no independent confirmation of this, we are just reporting that we have seen the rumor. Readers may want to investigate the situation before sending funds or traveling to board one of their ships.

From the bailout department:

The Miami Herald reports that Windjammer Barefoot Cruises is about to receive a cash infusion from TAG Virgin Islands, a private equity firm, which will apparently end up controlling the cruise line. The article characterizes the four-ship operation as a "troubled company."

It seems to be, according to the article, because, among other reasons, three of the four ships are docked, two due to labor disputes. There are also stories of sailings that don't go because supplies aren't released to the line, passengers' hotels not being paid for as promised while they await the delayed departures, and so forth. The unverified reader comments posted to the article seem to tell similar tales.

The Herald article quotes a spokesman as saying it will take three to six months to implement new plans once the new investor takes the helm.

Note: Link is valid at the time of posting.