Star Clippers announced today that it will not operate in the Far East next winter due to concerns about piracy. The cruise line has had a ship based in the Far East for over a decade. Instead the tall ship Star Clipper will ply the waters of the Caribbean starting in November where it will sail 7-day, round-trip cruises from St. Maarten.

“Geopolitical conditions not related directly to the destinations themselves’ dictated the decision”, said Star Clippers owner Mikael Krafft. He stated that the company hopes to return to Thailand and Malaysia when the piracy situation in the Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean is resolved.

Worried about the growing piracy issues in the Indian Ocean, the Yachts of Seabourn has decided not to operate a series of cruises in the Indian Ocean aboard Seabourn Legend in late 2010 and early 2011.

Instead, the vessel will reposition back to North America and at the end of its Mediterranean season to cruise in the Caribbean over the winter. Seven-day itineraries will sail between Fort Lauderdale and St. Thomas, or round-trip from St. Thomas.

Seabourn president and ceo Pamela Conover said the decision was “regrettable”, but noted that it was done for passenger safety.

Seabourn had a brush with pirates in 2005 when the Seabourn Spirit fended off a hijacking attempt off the coast of Somalia firing guns and rocket launchers.