Seattle-based Cruise West: 65 layoffs, world cruise halted, company says it’s restructuring

Cruise West: 65 layoffs, world cruise halted

SEATTLE — A Seattle-based cruise line known for its Alaska voyages is laying off 65 employees and has halted new bookings and ended a world cruise.

The Washington state Employment Security Department has received the legally required layoff notification. The department says Cruise West laid off 24 employees Wednesday and another 41 are to be laid off starting Friday.

The Seattle Times says Cruise West terminated a world cruise aboard its Spirit of Oceanus earlier this week in Newfoundland, Canada.

As of Thursday, the company website contains just a short statement about what it calls its restructuring efforts. It notes it has stopped accepting new bookings.

The cruise line says it plans to operate some cruises through October, including departures from Seattle and Portland, Ore. Cruise West says it will also complete cruises or land tours already under way in Alaska.

The statement says Cruise West will not respond to any media inquiries.

Information from: The Seattle Times, www.seattletimes.com