SEATTLE -- Windstar Cruises will relocate the Wind Star to Tahiti
after the ship currently based there suffered a fire and was taken
out of service.
All 127 passengers were evacuated from the Wind Song after a
fire broke out in the ship's engine room Dec. 1, Windstar said. No
injuries were reported.
The line is working with the French Navy to arrange for the ship
to be towed to the capital, Papeete, where Windstar will assess the
ship's damage.
The Wind Song's sister ship the Wind Star will be redeployed to
Tahiti and take over the scheduled season beginning Jan. 24; the
Wind Star's Costa Rica, Belize and Panama itineraries -- as well as
seven Tahiti itineraries through Jan. 17 -- have been canceled.
Passengers on the canceled sailings can rebook on other Windstar
or Holland America Line cruises and receive a $250 per person
shipboard credit. Agents will receive $100 additional rebooking
commissions.
Passengers who choose not to rebook will receive a full refund
plus a 10% future cruise credit certificate. Travel agent
commissions will be protected, Windstar said.