You know I hate these "awards", but I feel compelled to provide the information because some people find them of great interest.
The Yachts of Seabourn has won the 2009 Travel & Leisure Magazine Award as the No. 1 Small Ship Cruise Line.
What is interesting is that the category was dominated by river cruises with Silversea being No. 3 and Regent not even in the category (and, I might add, properly not). Next cruise line was Windstar at No. 7 followed by SeaDream at No. 8.
I am not sure what Lindblad Expeditions has done to garner No. 5, but suffice it to say whatever the standard (other than multiple votes), Seabourn and Silversea would logically need to be measured by a different standard than Linblad...IMHO.
Showing posts with label Windstar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windstar. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Windstar Situation May Be Improving, But Caution Is Warranted
Windstar's owner, Ambassador's International, has been selling off some of its assets in order to stay afloat (pun intended). It is exiting its Majestic America cruise operations and has recently sold its marine group after selling its travel and events a month ago. But there are other assets which it needs to sell that it is apparently having trouble finding buyers for.
On Friday it stated that unless it can renegotiate with its lenders/debtors, sell other assets and find some financing it may find itself curtailing certain operations and still speaks of the bankruptcy option, according to Seatrade.
With occupancy at around 85% on significantly discounted fares, if you are interested in experiencing Windstar sooner may be an option, while later may not be.
On Friday it stated that unless it can renegotiate with its lenders/debtors, sell other assets and find some financing it may find itself curtailing certain operations and still speaks of the bankruptcy option, according to Seatrade.
With occupancy at around 85% on significantly discounted fares, if you are interested in experiencing Windstar sooner may be an option, while later may not be.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Windstar's Sails May Be Luffing Very Soon.
It was reported today that Ambassadors International, the parent company of Windstar's owner, Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC, missed a $1,800,000 interest payment on the notes (loan) it used to purchase Windstar.
Ambassador warned that if it cannot sell its non-Windstar assets it may fail as a going concern.While it states that the tight credit market has made finding viable purchasers of these assets difficult, one must note that fire-saleing assets to keep one asset afloat (so to speak) is not a good sign regardless. It has disclosed that bankruptcy may be in its future if the sale of assets, restructuring of debt, etc. is not put in place. Ambassadors stock, it is reported, was trading at $0.39, far below the $1.00 level required to maintain the stock being listed on NASDAQ.
If you are booked on a Windstar cruise I would be sure that you have paid with a credit card. If you have not and are not in a penalty period, I would strongly suggest that you cancel your cruise and, if still wanting to take a chance, rebook with a credit card. Also, if you do not have insurance nd you paid with cash, strongly consider it, but be sure that you will have coverage in the event Windstar ceases operation. Right now I do not see any exclusion, but that sort of information can change quickly.
Windstar has been a favorite for those seeking a unique upscale cruise experience. The cruise line was sort of the step-child when it was owned by Carnival Corp. and was kept under the Holland America wing. In 2007 Carnival Corp. sold the company to its present owners.
Ambassador warned that if it cannot sell its non-Windstar assets it may fail as a going concern.While it states that the tight credit market has made finding viable purchasers of these assets difficult, one must note that fire-saleing assets to keep one asset afloat (so to speak) is not a good sign regardless. It has disclosed that bankruptcy may be in its future if the sale of assets, restructuring of debt, etc. is not put in place. Ambassadors stock, it is reported, was trading at $0.39, far below the $1.00 level required to maintain the stock being listed on NASDAQ.
If you are booked on a Windstar cruise I would be sure that you have paid with a credit card. If you have not and are not in a penalty period, I would strongly suggest that you cancel your cruise and, if still wanting to take a chance, rebook with a credit card. Also, if you do not have insurance nd you paid with cash, strongly consider it, but be sure that you will have coverage in the event Windstar ceases operation. Right now I do not see any exclusion, but that sort of information can change quickly.
Windstar has been a favorite for those seeking a unique upscale cruise experience. The cruise line was sort of the step-child when it was owned by Carnival Corp. and was kept under the Holland America wing. In 2007 Carnival Corp. sold the company to its present owners.
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