Cruise West shuts doors without alerting customers
SEATTLE -- A local cruise line is sinking under financial pressure, and its future remains uncertain.
Cruise West has shut its doors and its reservation lines after hitting hard times months ago. It could not be rescued even after the owners injected money into the company last month, according to one agent. Three of the company's 13 ships are now docked at the Ship Canal.
"It's a sad day for Seattle, because the West family was an integral part of growth in Alaska tourism in the last 60 years," said travel expert, Steve Danishek."They were the moving force behind not only big cruise ships, but little cruise ships and highway tourism in this state."
Cruise West's motto has been: smaller is better. The company has built its reputation and itinerary to Alaska on smaller ships. The Spirit of Discovery, for example, carries just 84 passengers.
Rumors of financial trouble started months ago. On Wednesday, the company's outgoing voice mail message set at least one rumor straight.
"Cruise west has not been sold; however, management is in the process of restructuring the company," said the message.
"There was a $1.5 million personal infusion of cash just last month, and the company was saying to itself, 'You should use credit cards in case anything happens,'" Danishek said. "We know they were for sale. This is not unusual."
It's unclear how many people already paid for future cruises.
On Tuesday, Cruise West abruptly told more than 50 guests aboard its world cruise that they must get off six months early. Those passengers are now stranded in Newfoundland.
The offices of Cruise West were closed on Wednesday, and a call to the office manager was not returned.
Meantime, passengers booked for cruises scheduled to leave this Saturday will have to see if they'll really set sail.
Cruise West has shut its doors and its reservation lines after hitting hard times months ago. It could not be rescued even after the owners injected money into the company last month, according to one agent. Three of the company's 13 ships are now docked at the Ship Canal.
"It's a sad day for Seattle, because the West family was an integral part of growth in Alaska tourism in the last 60 years," said travel expert, Steve Danishek."They were the moving force behind not only big cruise ships, but little cruise ships and highway tourism in this state."
Cruise West's motto has been: smaller is better. The company has built its reputation and itinerary to Alaska on smaller ships. The Spirit of Discovery, for example, carries just 84 passengers.
Rumors of financial trouble started months ago. On Wednesday, the company's outgoing voice mail message set at least one rumor straight.
"Cruise west has not been sold; however, management is in the process of restructuring the company," said the message.
"There was a $1.5 million personal infusion of cash just last month, and the company was saying to itself, 'You should use credit cards in case anything happens,'" Danishek said. "We know they were for sale. This is not unusual."
It's unclear how many people already paid for future cruises.
On Tuesday, Cruise West abruptly told more than 50 guests aboard its world cruise that they must get off six months early. Those passengers are now stranded in Newfoundland.
The offices of Cruise West were closed on Wednesday, and a call to the office manager was not returned.
Meantime, passengers booked for cruises scheduled to leave this Saturday will have to see if they'll really set sail.