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.