Windstar Cruises was forced to cancel the scheduled Dec. 26, 2015 cruise from Puerto Caldera to Colon after the Star Pride sustained damages after running aground while attempting to anchor at Isla de Coiba near Panama’s west coast on Dec. 22. For passengers on the ill-fated ship it was a disappointing ending to what should have been a festival Christmas cruise. Not to mention all the planning and packing that goes into a cruise vacation and the great anticipation of being on a sleek little luxury liner. The news of the incident was reported on Windstar’s Facebook page as such:
“On December 22, at approximately 6:15 am CST, Windstar Cruises, Star Pride, experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. All guests and crew are safe. Guests were disembarked as scheduled for the day’s private island event. Windstar’s technical team inspected the ship 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.
Star Pride guests are currently en route to Golfito, Costa Rica. From there they will be transferred to San Jose, Costa Rica where they have the option to stay in Costa Rica for the remainder of their vacation, or to fly home early. Star Pride guests were refunded 100% of their voyage, as well as a 100% of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit. The crew of the Star Pride will join the Star Breeze on Wednesday, Dec. 23rd. The ship will be towed to the port of Balboa in Panama for further inspections and repairs. At this time we are also cancelling the December 26th Star Pride voyage. Letters and call outs will start going out when our Vacation Planning department opens at 6 a.m. Pacific Time.”
The Star Pride is the first of three new power yachts purchased from Seabourn Cruises designed to showcase Windstar’s signature experiences such as the line’s famous deck barbecue, the open Bridge policy, and the celebrated sail-away party. The ship also sports the line's retractable marina at the ship's stern can be lowered for swimming, water skiing, sailing and sunning.
According to Cruise Critic, 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.
It’s sad to see a cruise end this way and another once canceled. At least there were no injuries to any one on board and the passengers will be well compensated. Still we know it’s disappointing especially after packing, planning and great anticipation.
“On December 22, at approximately 6:15 am CST, Windstar Cruises, Star Pride, experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. All guests and crew are safe. Guests were disembarked as scheduled for the day’s private island event. Windstar’s technical team inspected the ship 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.
Star Pride guests are currently en route to Golfito, Costa Rica. From there they will be transferred to San Jose, Costa Rica where they have the option to stay in Costa Rica for the remainder of their vacation, or to fly home early. Star Pride guests were refunded 100% of their voyage, as well as a 100% of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit. The crew of the Star Pride will join the Star Breeze on Wednesday, Dec. 23rd. The ship will be towed to the port of Balboa in Panama for further inspections and repairs. At this time we are also cancelling the December 26th Star Pride voyage. Letters and call outs will start going out when our Vacation Planning department opens at 6 a.m. Pacific Time.”
The Star Pride is the first of three new power yachts purchased from Seabourn Cruises designed to showcase Windstar’s signature experiences such as the line’s famous deck barbecue, the open Bridge policy, and the celebrated sail-away party. The ship also sports the line's retractable marina at the ship's stern can be lowered for swimming, water skiing, sailing and sunning.
According to Cruise Critic, 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.
It’s sad to see a cruise end this way and another once canceled. At least there were no injuries to any one on board and the passengers will be well compensated. Still we know it’s disappointing especially after packing, planning and great anticipation.