13 January 2010
Star Clipper bids farewell to the Far East:

Star Clipper have announced that the Star Clipper is to leave the Far East and following its summer sailings in the mediterranean it will reposition to St Maarten in November 2010.
The four-masted tall ship will sail alternating itineraries from St Maarten to ports where large cruise ships don't usually call. The Leeward islands itinerary will feature calls at Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Guadalupe, Antigua and St Barts. The Tresure islands route will visit Anquilla, Virgin Corda, Norman island, Tortola, Jost van Dyke, St Kitts and St Barts.

This repositioning will also enable Star Clipper to offer two 14 night sailings through the Panama canal in early 2011. Star Clipper Panama canal sailings have always been very popular with the spring Star Flyer sailing selling out in record time and both these new sailings are expected to fill very quickly.

Mikael Kraft owner and president of Star Clippers explained. "This region of the Caribbean has proven very popular with our guests in the past and provides and interesting mix of the colonial heritage of the British, French and Dutch. Plus having two ships in the Caribbean provides an opportunity for Royal Clipper and Star Clipper to easily rendevouz off Dominica for tall-ship racing which is an amazing thrill and always much appreciated by our guests"

For more than a decade Star Clippers have deployed a tall-ship to the Far East during winter. The Far East itineraries featuring Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have been well received, however geopolitical conditions not related directly to the destinations themselves have dictated this decision.

Explaining the decision Mr Kraft said

"Ensuring the safety and security of our guests and crew is of our highest priority. and that is what we have considered in taking this difficult decision. Due to the rise of piracy in the Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and the increasing boldness of the pirates, we believe it is not prudent to transit those areas between our cruising grounds in the Mediterranean and the Far East. It is our sincere hope that the piracy situation can be alleviated and when that happens we plan to return to Thailand and Malaysia" Kraft added.

I am pleased to advise that the full sailing schedule for Star Clippers new Caribbean itinerairies has now been added to our website and bookings are now being taken.

Early booking discounts of 10% will apply to all bookings made before the 31st March 2010.

Call or email now for prices and availability.