Piracy fears have forced Star Clippers to pull next winter’s Far East cruises in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and transfer them to the Caribbean.
From November 2010, the 170-passenger Star Clipper will be based in St Maarten in the Caribbean and sail two alternating seven-night itineraries.
The Leeward Islands itinerary calls at Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St Barts. The Treasure Islands itinerary visits Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, Tortola, Jost van Dyke, St Kitts and St Barts. Prices start from £1,145 per person cruise-only.
Star Clippers owner Mikael Krafft said the Far East itineraries, featuring Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, have been popular for more than 10 years, but piracy has forced it to abandon the region.
He said: “Due to the rise of piracy in the Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and the boldness of the pirates, it is not prudent to cross the areas between our cruising grounds in the Mediterranean and the Far East.
“Ensuring the safety and security of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and that is what we have considered in taking this difficult decision.”
In October, Yachts of Seabourn pulled its 2010/11 Indian Ocean cruises because of fears of piracy. Both Fred Olsen Cruise Line and MSC Cruises also changed 2010 itineraries last year to avoid cruising through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden.
Krafft added: “We hope the piracy situation can be alleviated, and when that happens, we plan to return to Thailand and Malaysia.”
Star Clippers will have two ships in the Caribbean next winter, with the 228-passenger Royal Clipper based in Barbados. The cruiseline’s third ship, Star Flyer, will be based in Costa Rica for the first time, sailing two seven-night voyages from Puerto Caldera on the west coast.