Windstar Cruises 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.
All guests and crew are safe, Windstar said. 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 were damaged. No oil or other containments were discharged in the area. The team determined the ship was unable to sail and the cruise was cancelled.
Windstar arranged for sister ship Star Breeze and Paul Gauguin’s Tere Moana (also sailing nearby) to transfer the guests to Golfito, Costa Rica. From there they were transferred to San Jose, Costa Rica, where they had the option to stay in Costa Rica for the remainder of their vacation or fly home early. Star Pride guests were refunded 100 percent of their voyage, as well as 100 percent of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit. As the Star Breeze itinerary was impacted during its assistance to the Star Pride, Star Breeze guests were refunded 75 percent of their voyage and received 75 percent of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit.
Windstar has dispatched a technical team to evaluate the Star Pride on site in Isla de Coiba. The ship is stabilized and will be towed to Balboa, Panama, for further evaluation and repairs. The Star Pride crew members have been deployed to Balboa or other ships, while those near the end of their rotations have been sent home.
In accordance with standard flag state protocol, the Bahamas Maritime Authority will undertake an investigation of the grounding incident.
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