Money Woes Leave Cruise Ship at Anchor : Tourism: The Pride of San Diego is stranded in port. Its owners reportedly have serious financial difficulties.

The Pride of San Diego, a locally based cruise ship that offers daylong cruises to Ensenada, has been forced to suspend service temporarily because of a cash problem, sources who are familiar with the ship’s operations said.

Daily cruises on the ship, one of two competing vessels operating out of San Diego Harbor, could be restored as soon as today, according to the sources, who asked that their names not be used.

The company has entered negotiations that could produce a change in ownership and a needed cash infusion, one of the sources said.

Locally based California Cruise Lines began operating the Pride of San Diego in early January.

The ship offers Las Vegas-style entertainment and gambling for patrons who board the ship in San Diego and cruise to Ensenada before returning to the home port. The Pride of San Diego is owned by a Miami-based company that reportedly has serious financial problems.

Company officials Monday declined to comment on the financial difficulties facing the cruise company.”We’ll issue an official statement to the press as soon as possible,” a spokeswoman said Monday. Customers holding tickets for canceled cruises are being told that they can rebook cruises later in the week.

Word of the Pride of San Diego’s financial woes spread quickly through the waterfront Monday.

“We’re always concerned when publicity affects our marketplace in negative ways,” said Joe Ewart, senior vice president of Starlite Cruises, which operates San Diego’s only other one-day cruise operation.

“But we’re here for the long-term. . . . We’re a viable company, and we intend to be in the marketplace for a long time.” Starlite operates the Pacific Star.

“We’ve set realistic (growth) goals, and we’re very comfortable with our progress,” Ewart said.

“Are we filled each day? No, but we’re moving in the right direction. We’re happy with the success we’ve had so far.”

Starlite, which began operations in San Diego in late December, offers one-day cruises to Ensenada that feature Las Vegas-style shows and gambling.

Starlite is owned by Lelakis Group, a family-owned company that is situated in Greece.