Ally

Star Clippers’ 170-passenger Star Flyer will be positioned in Papeete year-round from December 16 next year to operate seven, 10 and 11- night cruises around French Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands.

Anjie McFarlane, snr vp sales and marketing for Star Clippers, said the Monaco-based company has received ‘tremendous support and co- operation’ from the French Polynesian Government.

McFarlane said sister ship Star Clipper will reposition to Phuket for the seasonal cruise programme around Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore that is currently operated by Star Flyer.

Star Clipper will also undertake the annual ocean crossing to Athens at the end of the Phuket season for a cruise programme around Greece and Turkey.

The 227-passenger flagship, Royal Clipper, will continue to operate round-trip Barbados cruises during the European autumn and winter and cruise the Mediterranean in spring and summer.

Australia, which has direct flights to Papeete with Air Tahiti Nui, is expected to be a key market for Star Clippers’ Tahiti venture and Creative Cruising will produce all-inclusve air, sea and land packages.