Cruise line dumps Antigua after murder
SAN FRANCISCO – Star Clippers is dropping calls in Antigua in the wake of the murder of one of its passengers on the island, USA Today reports.
The sailing ship line says it will substitute the Caribbean island of Nevis on upcoming itineraries of the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. The ship normally calls in Antigua every two weeks.
“Star Clippers has called at Antigua for many years without incident, and with its long sailing and yacht history, the island has always been a popular destination with our guests,” Star Clippers CEO Mikael Krafft said in a statement.
“We are taking this decision after much deliberation, and we will continue to monitor the security situation in Antigua and evaluate our options for next winter season regarding returning to the island.”
Star Clippers passenger Nina Elisabeth Nilssen, 29, of the San Francisco area, was found dead January 19 on a trail just off the island’s famed Pigeon Point Beach.
Named one of the “world’s sexiest” beaches in 2007 by Conde Nast’s Concierge.com, Pigeon Point is popular with tourists visiting the island.
USA Today said the murder is the latest serious crime against tourists in Antigua.
A 38-year-old Australian man visiting the island last year on his yacht was shot dead while walking with his girlfriend and daughter.
And in 2008 Antigua was the scene of a double murder of a honeymooning British couple – incidents that have raised questions about the safety of visiting the island.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
United Airlines to be the sole US airline to fly to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City from October
Iberia adds new US, Latin America routes
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
RX launches WTM Spotlight with an inaugural event in Saudi Arabia
What’s new on Route 66 in Arizona