Windstar Runs Aground in Panama, Cruise Cancelled
The luxury cruise operator Windstar Cruises will drydock ship following last week’s grounding in a remote region of Panama.
Windstar reports that Star Pride experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. As a result the ship's December 26, January 2 and January 9 voyages have been cancelled.
According to a statement on the Windstar Cruises Facebook page, Star Pride was “coming into anchor” at Isla de Coiba, off the coast of Panama shortly after 6 a.m. CST on Dec. 22 when she “experienced a grounding.”
The cruise line said all passengers and crew were safe after the incident, and guests left the ship as scheduled for the day’s private island event. Windstar said its technical team performed an inspection “and identified some areas of the hull that are damaged, making the ship unable to sail.”
"As the safety and security of guests and crew is of the utmost priority, the current Star Pride cruise is canceled. Because of Isla de Coiba’s remote location (an island off the coast of Panama), the lack of infrastructure in the area, and the lack of other support vessels, Windstar arranged for sister ship, Star Breeze, along with the Tere Moana (also sailing nearby) to transfer the guests to the mainland. We are grateful and appreciative for the support of the Tere Moana in this time of need," says a statement from the company.
Passengers were transferred to the mainland by Windstar's sister ship, Star Breeze, as well as Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana, which happened to be sailing nearby. They are en route to Golfito, Costa Rica, and will be transferred to San Jose where they can choose to stay for the duration of their vacation, or fly home.
Star Pride passengers will receive a 100 percent refund and 100 percent of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit.
