SEATTLE -- Windstar Cruises shifted itineraries after a fire on its
Tahiti-based Wind Song appears to have left the vessel a total
loss.
Windstar will relocate the Wind Song's sister ship, the
148-passenger Wind Star, rather than give up on the line's
year-round presence in French Polynesia. That ship takes over
seven-day Tahiti sailings Jan. 24.
"We made such a huge marketing push for Tahiti; we didn't want
to lose any skip on that at all," said a spokeswoman for
Windstar.
The Wind Star's 2003 Belize, Costa Rica and Panama itineraries
as well as its summer season in Greece have been canceled.
Windstar also may tweak its 2003 Europe programs on the Wind
Surf and Wind Spirit, although the line has not released any
information.
The Wind Song has long been Windstar's Tahiti ship. It debuted
there in 1987 and sailed there for 10 years. After a four-year
hiatus, the ship returned -- with fanfare -- in March.
The fire started in the ship's engine room, officials said. The
cause of the fire has not been determined, but the damage to the
ship is "significant," parent company Carnival Corp. said in a
Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Carnival said the ship was fully insured and there should be no
material impact to the company's fiscal 2003 earnings.
Passengers were evacuated to the nearby island of Tahaa and then
set up in the Sofitel Maeva Beach on the island of Tahiti. Guests
were given $700, unlimited signing privileges at the hotel and
options to fly or ferry to nearby islands for excursions, the
spokeswoman said.
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.
Guests who cancel will receive a full refund plus a 10% future
cruise credit certificate. Travel agent commissions will be
protected.