Windjammer Barefoot Cruises — A Sinking Ship?

Other posts by MountainMama

My husband and I went on a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise of the Caribbean back in 1999 for our honeymoon. We absolutely loved it — from docking at tiny islands (Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda) to the crazy party atmosphere on board (toga party anyone?). It was laid-back and casual and just what I expected a “barefoot cruise” to be.

We’d fully intended to take a family trip on one of the “kids allowed” ships to celebrate my *cough* 40th birthday *cough* in the summer of 2009, which also marks our 10th wedding anniversary. I even thought about renewing our wedding vows (cue to me in a darling white sundress, barefoot). We even told our kids about the idea, explaining to my young son that he could be the ring bearer (heck, yeah, I’m expecting a 10-year anniversary band). He replied, “Won’t I be hot in the BEAR costume?”

Well, since last fall, Windjammer has been in some deep financial doo-doo. Canceling sailings left and right, and giving some customers just 72 hours’ notice! I mean, I’d be FURIOUS if my much-anticipated trip was canceled at the last minute, and trust me, some of these folks are bleepin’ mad.

A Mr. Nelson sent 200 to 300 faxes to the Windjammer office just to tick off the powers that be, who, apparently, are being very tardy about giving refunds for the cruises (and, sorry, but Windjammer won’t help you out with any non-refundable air or accommodations costs associated with the canceled cruise).

Windjammer management has been less than up front about the many canceled cruises. Check out the website’s home page — no mention of cancellations. You need to dig deep in the “Press Room” to find information. Owner Joey Burke promises that a “New Windjammer” will be unveiled, as soon as “restructuring” is complete. He’s posted very little on the company’s Coconut Telegraph forum (which is chock full of horror stories about canceled sailings).

I’ll be keeping a close eye on the goings-on at Windjammer, cuz I’d really love to celebrate on a tall ship next summer. But until they get their act together, I’m not booking a thing! Stay tuned.

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January 9, 2008 | Filed Under Family Travel, Romantic Getaways 

Comments

15 Responses to “Windjammer Barefoot Cruises — A Sinking Ship?”

  1. CajunMama says:
    January 10, 2008 at

    Oh my gosh. You went to Jost Van Dyke? Did you see Kenny Chesney? Oh, he is yummy!

  2. MountainMama says:
    January 10, 2008 at

    No Kenny Chesney. What is up with his 28-inch waist, anyway? I’d feel like an amazon next to him!

  3. Beth says:
    January 11, 2008 at

    What about a cruise on a Maine Windjammer. I’ve sailed on both the J&E Riggin and Timberwind. They are a great sailing adventure like Barefoot, but sail up in Maine. Its beautiful. The Timberwind take kids on all of their trips. Check them out at Maine Adventure Sails.

  4. MountainMama says:
    January 11, 2008 at

    I grew up in N.H. and know the Maine/NH coast well–for this special trip I *really* want tropical Caribbean!

  5. Beth says:
    January 12, 2008 at

    Ahhh yes….and warm weather sure is nice….have you tried the Star Clippers?

  6. MountainMama says:
    January 12, 2008 at

    No, and I’ve heard of them, and will Google to check out! Thanks!

  7. Oberammergau 2010 & Travel Planning « Traveling Mamas says:
    March 23, 2008 at

    [...] thought plenty about how I want to celebrate my 40th birthday and 10th wedding anniversary in 2009 (ideally on a Windjammer cruise, if the company gets its financial act together), I haven’t booked a thing. With young children, [...]

  8. Reality says:
    October 13, 2008 at

    Sorry to say you will need to find another ship to sail!!! Boats are seized and final auction of the companies assets were auctioned off last month. What a shame…family greed.
    What a beautiful destination…have fun!

  9. Leslie says:
    March 6, 2009 at

    I am so sad that they are gone. Just like you MountainMama I honeymooned on a Windjammer ship in 1999 (Yankee Clipper). I was blessed to have been able to go on the Polynesia the following year and take the kids on a JuniorJammer on the Legacy in 2004. I was just about to lay a deposit for the whole family to go on a Windjammer through the Panama area when the troubles came. Glad I did not put down a deposit. I wanted to sail with them on my 10 year anniversary and sadly will not be able to. (I also turn 40 this year :-)

  10. Kathy says:
    March 6, 2009 at

    I was thinking of planning a cruise next year after I retire, and am heartsick to learn of Windjammer’s fate. I had the good fortune to sail on the Fantome twice before she was destroyed in Hurricane Mitch, and have sailed on the Poly and the Mandalay. The cruises were the one thing my husband and I both completely agreed upon for the most wonderful times together. I did see where the Mandalay was purchased by a company in the Galapagos so maybe we can see her again. Once you sail on a tall ship, your heart will always be there. Only an Alaskan cruise interests us beyond tall ships.

  11. craig says:
    April 1, 2009 at

    I miss the fun of the windjammer experience. 30 weeks of cruising since 2000 with them intil they went under so to speak. They got me for $4000.00 but I feel if I average it into all the good times that were pretty cheap it was still a good deal. I have been on the Arabella and the Caledonia in the last two years. The Arabella is a real sailing ship that started off as a sailing vessel. Great time on it. Also a great crew. The Caledonia was fun also but needs a bit of tweeking. The crew is great. The deck is not user friendly. The deck of the Arabella is 1/6 th the size but much more comfortable. Not to mention their little hot tub on deck. The Caladonia has very few surfaces that are not at a large degree tilt. The real tilted deck where the outside bar is has a combo of deisel fumes and septuc gases alternating between sips of your drinks. The first week of the 2 weeks I was with them I was actually hungry. Portions very very small. The second week I think they heard a bit of mumbling from a few passengers and the portions became larger. The food is very good. All the things that are not fun on board can be corrected and I hope they do so. I need a repalcement ship to the Mandalay, but that is a tall order. Not to mention Capt. Matt and his crew. I would suggest trying both ships. Good sailing. Craig

  12. craig says:
    April 1, 2009 at

    Does anyone have ships that have the windjammer barefoot cruise feeling that they can recommend. Craig

  13. alby says:
    April 3, 2009 at

    i can’t believe the windjammer barefoot cruises are just gone…back in the ’80s, my wife and i sailed on the flying cloud and the polynesia…both were absolutely wonderful ships with interesting captains, great crews and passengers that became friends for years…the captain of the polynesia was a scottish guy who wore 18th century captain’s garb, and shot off a small cannon when entering and leaving a port…all while a bagpipe version of “amazing grace” played over the ship’s stereo system…sounds kind of goofy now, but we loved it…good food, GREAT parties, stops at places i’ve dreamed about returning to for years since…little jost van dyke, salt island, the baths at virgin gorda, saba…man, what a shame they’re gone…

  14. Crappycappy says:
    June 22, 2009 at

    Check out Arabella. As easy going as Windjammer but more modern ship and better credibility.

  15. Kiki says:
    June 28, 2009 at

    I sailed the Poly as a single for my 30th birthday, I wanted to sail again with my husband this year, for my 40th and our 5th anniversary. I was heart broken to find that they were no more. I am checking out a few, but Windjammer was very reasonably priced.

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