Mr. Bilgemart:
Once the Hunters and Warships come after you, it is hard to do regular plundering. At that point though, chances are your cargo is full and you are going for full royals. The Bounty Hunters, from what I've seen, seem to ONLY give Royal Chests. So now its not harder to get them, its just a different tactic that's needed.
Back on topic, I said that this is a good improvement. Its really good and I like and and all that, but I think that this isn't it... looking at the hunter ships, I can tell that ship customization and new ships is near. I bet you that that update is going to follow this one.