The Seychelles offers the visitor a tropical beauty that is difficult, if not impossible to match anywhere else in the world. Spread out over a vast area of the Indian Ocean, they offer everything from quiet sophistication and enchanting scenery to wild and uninhabited nature reserves, where the very remoteness of the islands has protected them from the worst excesses of mankind. We know the region well having operated vessels there for almost thirty years and if ever there was a region perfect for expedition cruising it is here, a timeless world of wonders both below and above the water.
Setting sail from Tanzania, we have a full day to explore atmospheric Zanzibar before we spend time discovering Latham Island, an important seabird breeding site with spectacular reefs, and the historic sites of Kilwa Kisiwani. Continuing to the Seychelles, our journey will include all aspects of this extraordinary island nation from the lesser known and rarely visited Outer Seychelles where we visit the Aldabra Islands, the world’s largest coral atoll and a World Heritage Site to the developed Inner Seychelles with staggeringly beautiful islands such as Aride and Praslin. For many the highlight of the voyage will be our time spent exploring the Aldabra Island Group, the breeding ground of the giant tortoise and in addition to seeing some of these endearing creatures we should also encounter dolphins and turtles as well as countless birds including the flightless rail. To explore the abundant crystal clear waters of the vast lagoon and to set foot on atolls which have never been exploited by the hand of man is a rare experience.
Obviously, such beauty and serenity are best enjoyed with a small number of travelling companions and the MS Island Sky is an ideal vessel. With a maximum of just over 100 passengers she ofers all the comforts of a larger vessel but with the added luxury of a small number of fellow, like-minded travellers and an expert expedition team who will add much to your enjoyment. With our fleet of Zodiacs we can reach the unreachable, landing on remote beaches, walking through verdant rainforest and national parks and getting close to some unique flora and fauna.
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What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below is an extract from the ship’s log of a previous expedition which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.Cosmoledo: It was an early start today due to the tide times and at 7:30am the flotilla of Zodiacs made the journey into the mouth of the atoll, across the lagoon to the eastern shore. Once we arrived the site was wondrous with thousands of nesting birds sitting on the coral rock. They were mostly boobies, both red footed and masked, but there were also species of herons, terns, noddies, frigate birds and tropic birds. The sea was also full of turtles - there seemed to be hundreds darting about in the shallow water. The Zodiacs took their time passing up the shore, allowing plenty of bird photos to be taken. We then found little patches of beach to land on and to have a small walk about or a little swim or paddle. All the while the tide was quickly dropping and the beaches were becoming larger and larger. Soon it was time to head back to the ship and set sail for the Farquhar Group of islands. Once back aboard we enjoyed lunch, followed by a great talk all about the biology of coral reefs.
Aride: The intrepid birders set out early and were rewarded with the sight of birds that were totally unafraid of man, many of them at very close range. The birds were certainly friendly as were the two species of skink. White-tailed tropicbirds swooped through the woodland and crash-landed in the shrubbery on their way to their nests, their landing technique a stark contrast to their grace in flight. The fairy terns sat on their branches and met us eye to eye. Most people got to see the fluffy little chicks, hatched on a bare branch and now moving around, waiting for their feathers to grow so that they could fly. Seychelles fodies were everywhere while common moorhens ran around in the undergrowth, far away from water.
La Digue: This afternoon we were back in our trusty Zodiacs for a short ride to a very civilised landing on a floating pontoon inside the busy little harbour at La Digue. Here we boarded our camionettes, converted trucks with seats in the back, for our tour of the island. The more adventurous among us boarded bicycles and headed off to explore independently. We drove through the little village of La Passe, full of weaving bicycles, to the l’Union Estate where we were shown all the processes used in exploiting the coconuts, from dehusking to the copra kiln and the coconut oil mill, powered by a very patient and placid bull. We were also taken to the original old plantation house. We clambered back aboard our camionettes for a short ride to the beach at L’Anse Source d’Argent for a swim. The beach is famous, much photographed because of the dramatic contrast of rugged granite boulders, white sand and clear blue sea.
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 London or Manchester to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 Dar es Salaam.
Arrive today and transfer to the MS Island Sky. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 3 Zanzibar.
Zanzibar’s harbour, crowded with dhows, very much sets the scene for our visit to this Arab-style city with its long narrow streets, bazaars, houses with overhanging balconies and intricately carved doorways. On a morning walking tour, soak up the timeless atmosphere of Stone Town including Livingstone House, Sultan’s Palace, the slave market and the Old Fort. The afternoon is free to relax and explore independently or join a tour of a spice farm to experience the various fruits and spices cultivated on the island. Alternatively, travel to Jozani Forest which sustains a variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare red colobus monkey, indigenous to the island.
Day 4 Latham Island.
Also known as Fungu Kizimkazi, this uninhabited coral island measures just 7.5 acres but is an important breeding ground for many bird species and one of the most important areas in the Indian Ocean for masked booby, brown noddy, sooty tern and greater crested tern. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to cruise the island to view these colonies and also offer the chance to snorkel on the fringing reef surrounding the island.
Day 5 Kilwa Kisiwani.
This morning we anchor off Kilwa Kisiwani, a site of exceptional historical interest, where the atmospheric ruins represent a wide sweep of East African coastal history, from the heights of the Swahili and Shirazi trading civilisation to the darker days of slavery and the uprisings against German rule. Once one of Africa’s wealthiest towns, Kilwa Kisiwani is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the world’s most extensive and best-preserved Swahili ruins. We will spend the morning on a walking tour and see the prominent fort and the Great Mosque which stood at the heart of this ancient city which was once the largest in East Africa. This afternoon we hope to find a local beach to offer the chance to swim, snorkel or take a stroll.
Day 6 At Sea.
Spend a leisurely day on board as we continue our journey through the Indian Ocean en-route to the Seychelles.
Days 7 to 9 Aldabra Islands, Seychelles.
Arriving in the Outer Seychelles we have two and a half days to enjoy the Aldabra group of islands and our itinerary will be in the hands of our Expedition Leader and Captain who will monitor the local conditions to ensure we maximise our time here. Whilst our itinerary is flexible, we hope to call at the island of Assumption which was ruthlessly plundered for its vast deposits of guano in the early 20th century. Happily, peace has returned and the wildlife of rare birds and green turtles are once again in abundance. Our time here will be spent beachcombing, on nature walks or snorkelling. We also hope to reach Cosmoledo where a huge ring of twelve islands circle a lagoon. Many of the atolls are still to be surveyed and we will explore some of them by Zodiac. This is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area with all three species of booby found in the Seychelles including the last breeding site for the brown booby. Also spot sooty terns and great frigate birds. In addition we will plan time on Aldabra, the island referred to by Sir Julian Huxley as “One of nature’s treasures and should belong to the whole world”. Aldabra is unique and every time we call we find something new of interest. Our exploration will be guided by the tides and sightings have been made of the extremely rare white throated rail and the atoll is also home to the world’s second largest colony of frigate birds and to the largest crab, the coconut crab. Whilst exploring by Zodiac it is difficult to know in which direction to look. The clear blue seas abound with life, the skies are alive with varied birdlife and ashore giant land tortoises forage as they have done for millions of years. We hope to explore Picard Island with a short walk to see some of the numerous tortoises and robber crabs or swim in the lagoon, a vast 17 mile stretch of shallow clear water. From our Zodiacs we can watch the ever-changing undersea world and snorkel in colourful coral waters.
Day 10 Farquhar Group.
This morning we anchor off Farquhar where we will use our Zodiacs to explore the sparkling lagoon of this remote atoll and its islands covered in coconut trees, palms and scaevola sea lettuce plants. Hawksbill and green sea turtles come to the atoll to nest and several of the Farquhar Group’s islands are Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. The island is a haven providing us with a delightful morning of bird watching or snorkelling before we sail this afternoon.
Day 11 Alphonse Islands.
There are three islands in the Alphonse group and as we approach the islands over lunch you will understand why they are regarded by many to be the most beautiful of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago. Our plan is to land on the tiny and idyllic island of Bijoutier. Rarely visited, it is a safe haven for a variety of seabirds. There will be the opportunity to swim and we hope to offer a snorkel platform in the crystal clear waters. Bijoutier sits between two larger atolls so the ocean current flows passing Bijoutier replenishing the corals reefs and making them especially rich in biodiversity.
Day 12 Amirante Islands.
This morning we arrive at the 28 islands in the Amirante Group which were discovered by Vasco de Gama in 1501 and are considered to be some of the most pristine and untouched islands in the world. If conditions permit we will visit the huge sand spit on African Banks and join nature walks with our naturalists, beachcombing and spotting seabirds. In addition we hope to offer Zodiacs cruises in the lagoon of one of the atolls and also the opportunity for swimming and snorkelling.
Days 13 & 14 Inner Seychelles.
Our final two days are spent in the Inner Seychelles islands where we hope to visit Aride, one of the finest and most important seabird islands in the Indian Ocean. Over one million seabirds breed on the island including tropical shearwater, lesser noddy, frigatebirds and roseate tern and also five species unique to the Seychelles such as the Seychelles warbler and Seychelles magpie robin. The island is largely covered in native woodland including the endemic Wright’s gardenia, a shrub with beautifully scented flowers found nowhere else in the world. We plan to land on Curieuse, a rugged island which was once home to a leper colony and now houses an eco-museum and visitor centre. The island is an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles and boasts endemic vine and mangroves which we explore on an island walk. Meanwhile on La Digue, huge granite boulders lie like giant sculptures on the brilliant white beaches of the island. Maybe visit the forested nature reserve and the L’Union Estate, a superbly restored 19th century colonial house, or swim from one of the beaches.
Day 15 Mahe to London or Manchester.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight.
Day 16 London or Manchester.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 16 to 31 January 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Magellan Deck Standard Suites | £10495 | £9995 |
| Columbus Deck Superior Suites | £10795 | £10295 |
| Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £11095 | £10595 |
| Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | £11495 | £10995 |
| Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | £12795 | £12295 |
| Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £13295 | £12795 |
| Explorer Deck Island Suite | £13795 | £13295 |
| Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | £12495 | £11995 |
| Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | £12795 | £12295 |
Tour Reference Code: SCISK160126
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 13 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Tanzanian visa.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
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Your Dining
Your Dining
It is quite a task to create a dining experience as that found on board our Sky vessels when you are cruising in far-flung corners of the globe, indeed it takes a team of highly talented chefs to deliver fresh, varied dishes no matter where you are at sea. Fortunately, our catering teams are well adapted to the world of small ship cruising where no two days are the same and the menus are often scheduled and tailored around the days’ excursions. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the cuisine on board is of a consistent superior quality that befits such vessels. Where possible and when it meets their high standards, our accomplished chefs will obtain local produce in markets. Such purchases enhance the well-stocked larders and enable the chefs on board to exhibit their culinary skills and bring a local touch to the varied menus, emphasising the international expertise of the chefs on board. Afternoon tea and pre-dinner canapés take place every day in either the comfort of the Lounge or out on the Lido Deck when the weather is favourable. Tea and coffee are also available 24 hours a day. Special diets can be catered for with sufficient notice.
In keeping with the informal atmosphere on board, when dining you are able to choose your seating arrangements at your leisure. Whether that be joining a table of four to six other passengers outside on the Lido Deck in the evening’s sunshine or whether you prefer to enjoy meals in the à la carte restaurant. For those travelling alone, our onboard friendly restaurant staff will take care to ensure you are seated with other like-minded travellers. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order on request. Lunch and dinner are à la carte with an excellent choice of dishes, with the menu reflecting the daily catch or local delicacies. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with both meals and there is also a comprehensive wine list with a wide selection of new and old world wines from which to choose.
The onboard catering and restaurant staff are experienced at sea and enthuse a passion for superb service. Whether it be ensuring you have an outdoor blanket as you enjoy the crisp sea breeze on the Lido Deck or sharing their knowledge of the characteristics of the days’ wine selections, you will experience a service on board like no other. You may also enjoy sumptuous barbeques on deck whilst at times, the chef will make your dish to order at special pasta or stir fry stations.
Click on image above to view a sample menu.
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Cabin Plans
Cabin Plan
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
We are delighted you have chosen the MS Island Sky for your voyage. The 118-passenger, all-suite vessel is one of the finest small ships in the world and benefits from unusually spacious accommodation, public areas and outside decks. You will find the atmosphere on board akin to a private yacht or country hotel with a little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, talks from our onboard team and informative port briefings from your Cruise Director or Expedition Leader. After a day of exploration ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable ship. Along with the Captain and officers and the Noble Caledonia team, our crew of 75 are dedicated to offering you the best possible experience during your time on board. We hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel and wish you a pleasant voyage.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 118
Length: 90.60 metres
Width: 15.30 metres
Registered: Bahamas
Crew/Staff: 75
Year built: 1992
Language: English
Gross Tonnage: 4200 tonnes
Net Tonnage: 1262 tonnesADAPTORS
There is a small supply of adaptors that can be obtained from Reception. These should be returned to Reception at the end of the cruise. There is also an adaptor extension box with USB ports in the suite.
AIR-CONDITIONING
The entire ship is air-conditioned. All suites feature individual temperature controls. In order to keep the air-conditioning system working efficiently, please keep doors closed when in use.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The ship uses a public address system to advise guests of all important information and activities during the cruise. Announcements can be heard throughout the public areas of the ship and in all suites.
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone
If you wish to contact the ship, please call +1 954 6726785. This is a US number so calls will be charged at an international rate. There is a phone in your suite which has access to an outside line. Outgoing call costs will be advised on board. You can make suite to suite calls free of charge. The ship can be contacted by email at rec@is.salenship.com. Please indicate the passenger name and suite number in the subject field.
Satellite Internet & Wi-Fi
Connectivity is now an important feature in our lives and we do our best to bring this service to you on board. Complimentary Wi-Fi provided by Starlink is available in the public areas and passenger suites. You will need to bring your own device to connect in these areas. Wi-Fi details, including your unique log in, will be available in your suite. The service provided on board uses direct satellite technology and has a certain amount of bandwidth available. The same level of connectivity and speed that we enjoy at home through cable or fibre-optic based infrastructures cannot be expected on board.
As you traverse the seas and ports, the ship’s antennae have to re-establish connection with the transmission satellites. Signal may also be blocked by mountains, buildings or even local radio frequency regulations. Remote locations out of satellite range, weather on earth or in space can also affect signal strength. Please also bear in mind that the network is shared by everyone on board so congestion can be anticipated which will slow down speeds especially at peak times. The bandwidth available to the ship means that connectivity is best served using text-based communications and simple social media. Some applications which involve downloading large files may not be available on board.
Here are some tips for using satellite Wi-Fi on board:
• Avoid peak times such as the return to the ship after an excursion.
• Always log off the system when not in use to free up bandwidth space for other passengers and to pause your usage allowance.
• Work offline.
• Download any apps you need before leaving home.
• Turn off or disable background app data services and updates – apps that sync in the background can quickly eat up data without your knowledge.
• Disable push notifications as these use a lot of data.
• Remember to bring any charging or data cables required.
• Your Network provider may offer a cruise package but be careful, once the land signal is lost, this will transfer to the satellite signal which will incur greater costs.
• Cruise Terminals ashore often have good land based internet to supplement your connectivity.
• Put your phone on Airplane Mode when not in use to avoid roaming charges from your Network Provider.
• Be careful not to access private accounts such as bank accounts on public Wi-Fi systems.
DAILY PROGRAMME
A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities is produced on board and delivered to your suite daily.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Chef or the Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.
DINING & DRINKING
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Restaurant. MS Island Sky operates an open seating policy which greatly enhances the convivial atmosphere on board. The Restaurant has table configurations of 8, 6, 4 and some 2’s. As we operate an open seating policy, we regret that reservations cannot be made. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner. Please note that passengers are not permitted to consume their own supplies of alcohol on board. Whether we have a morning at sea or you choose not to partake in an excursion, breakfast times have been extended, where possible, for your convenience. Times may vary and will be indicated on the Daily Programme. During good weather, early riser’s coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner may also be served on The Lido Deck. Afternoon tea is served in The Club or in The Lounge depending on activities. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are available self-service 24 hours a day in The Club. For those guests who may prefer more flexibility with regards to their meals we are delighted to offer an additional menu on board between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm. Details are available in The Club.
DISEMBARKATION
Your Cruise Director / Expedition Leader will provide you with detailed disembarkation information prior to the end of your cruise. This will include transfer information (where applicable). If you have any specific queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Cruise Director / Expedition Leader as soon as possible after embarkation.
DRESS CODE
The dress code on board is defined as casual. During the day, comfortable and casual attire is appropriate. The evenings are smart casual. Jackets and ties are not required. However, we kindly ask you to refrain from wearing shorts during evening meals in the Restaurant. You may wish to wear something a little dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners, for example, a jacket and tie for gentlemen and occasion wear for ladies. No “black tie” is necessary.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage is 110v/60Hz (American standard) and a 220v razor socket. This is only suitable for low voltage electrical appliances, e.g. mobile phone or camera charger. We recommend that you bring a two flat pin American adaptor for the 110v plug. Please note that the use of personal hairdryers, clothing irons, coffee makers, curling tongs, etc. in the suites is strictly forbidden as they may damage the ship’s electrical system. If you require electrical medical equipment, please notify the Reservations Department as soon as possible.
GOING ASHORE
Wait in public areas or in your suite until an announcement is made with instructions to disembark. Sailing times for each port are listed in the Daily Programme. Please note sailing times and ensure that you return back to the vessel at least 30 minutes prior to departure. In some ports a passport or port landing card must be carried when going ashore. This will be announced over the PA System if required. If the ship is in a remote area and you hear a continuous blast of the ship’s horn then please return immediately to the landing site. When leaving the ship at any time while in port always ensure you have checked IN/OUT at the gangway.
HAIR & BEAUTY SALON
MS Island Sky has a hairdresser providing haircuts and hairstyling. Some beauty treatments and massage are also available. Appointments can be made on board at the Reception Desk. Fees for all treatments are available at Reception and will be charged to your onboard account. Each suite is equipped with a hairdryer which can be found in the right hand top drawer of the dresser.
HEALTH & HYGIENE
We have comprehensive plans in place to protect the health and hygiene of our passengers and crew. These are kept up to date in line with new advice and guidance and are continually evaluated. The ventilation system provides all suites and communal areas with fresh non recycled air. There is no recirculation of air on board. UV technology has been installed to ensure no risk of transmission via ventilation units. Hand sanitisers are present throughout the vessel particularly at entrances to dining venues and at the gangway. We kindly ask that you ensure to use these regularly. When it is required to bring in enhanced procedures you will be advised in either your pre cruise documentation or on board.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
A laundry service is available on board. Laundry bags and a price list can be found in the wardrobe in your suite. Please complete the laundry list and leave it together with the bag of items to be laundered on your bed. Your laundered items will be returned within 24 hours. There are no public launderette or ironing facilities on board. In the interest of safety we ask that you do not use an electric iron in your suite. An ironing service is available at reasonable cost. Dry cleaning facilities are not available on board. In the interest of the environment, towels will not be automatically changed every day. We ask that you put used towels on the bathroom floor if you wish them to be changed for fresh towels. Towels left hanging on the towel rack will not be changed.
LIFT
All passenger decks can be reached by lift. Please do not use the lift in the case of a fire or an emergency.
LOST PROPERTY
Before you disembark the ship, please check your suite to ensure you do not leave anything behind. On board the ship, any liquids, cosmetics, paper(s) and perishable items left behind will be disposed of immediately. Any books left on board the ship will be incorporated into the ship’s library or donated to charity. Other items left behind on the ship will be kept on board for 1 month or 2 cruises (whichever is the longer period), and after this time, any unclaimed items will be given to a local charity at the next main port the ship visits. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia within 21 days of disembarking. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection, and any costs incurred will be at your own expense.
MAIL
Although reception staff are happy to post letters on your behalf, they may not be able to do so straightaway or at the port of call at which you make such a request. Some postal services are unreliable and many letters or postcards that you ask to be delivered on your behalf may be delayed or even lost en route. Under no circumstances can we be held liable for such occurrences.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Medical services are available 24 hours a day. There is a Doctor on board and crew members are trained in first aid. Suite visits by the ship’s Doctor are available. Please note that all consultations and services are charged for. To arrange an appointment with the ship’s Doctor please contact Reception. It takes some people longer to find their sea legs. Sea sickness tablets are available from Reception, and should be taken at least one hour prior to departure.
MINI BAR/FRIDGE
This is stocked with complimentary soft drinks and beer and will be replenished daily/on request.
NEWS
News channels are available on your suite TV and in addition daily news bulletins can be found at Reception and in The Library.
NOBLE CALEDONIA TEAM
Throughout your cruise you will be accompanied by your Noble Caledonia team who will be happy to assist you with any queries or requests you may have.
ONBOARD ACCOUNT
All passengers will have their own “ship account” which allows you to sign a receipt for any expenses and then settle your bill at the Reception Desk at the end of the cruise. You will need to register your card at Reception shortly after sailing. If you are sharing a suite with a friend and would like separate bills, please inform Reception. Prices on board are shown in British Pounds. All final accounts will be presented in British Pounds. Your ship’s account can be paid by:
Your ship’s account can be paid by:
• Cash (British Pounds, Euros or US Dollars).
• Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).
If you intend to settle your shipboard account using your credit card, please provide Reception with an imprint of your card at your convenience during the cruise. As a standard procedure, a GBP10.00 pre-authorisation hold for settlements is made via credit card. Please note that this is only a temporary hold placed on your funds and released several days after the final onboard settlement is made. Debit cards and pre-paid credit cards may not automatically be accepted. Please let us know in advance if you plan to use one.
PASSPORTS
All Passports are collected by the Purser upon embarkation. Passports are necessary to facilitate immigration formalities at each port of call and are returned at the end of the cruise.
PUBLIC AREAS
The Club – Located on the Marco Polo Deck, The Club features the main bar and a 24 hour tea and coffee station. A quiet place to meet friends or relax during the day. In the evening our onboard resident pianist plays before and after dinner.
The Library – Located on the Marco Polo Deck. In The Library you can find a well stocked selection of reference books pertaining to the destinations. Fiction books, games and playing cards are also available. Novels brought on board may be exchanged with other books in the paperback library.
The Lounge – Located on the Columbus Deck. Daily Briefings by the Cruise Director or Expedition Leader are given in The Lounge which is fitted with multiple screens and presentation equipment. Informative talks from the Guest Speaker or expedition team are also given here.
Lido Deck – Located on the Erikson Deck aft. The Lido Deck is an alternative venue to the restaurant for meals, weather permitting. Outside of meal times it is an area where you can relax outside. Enjoy a drink from the bar or something to eat from the all day menu.
Observation Deck – Located on the Explorer Deck. There is an area for sun loungers which is ideal for sunbathing as well as a forward facing observation platform.
Promenade Deck – Located on the Marco Polo Deck. We kindly ask for your consideration to those guests whose suites are located on and beneath the Promenade Deck. Please use the deck for walking / jogging between the hours of 08.30 am and 9.00 pm only.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Your comments are important to us therefore before your cruise ends, you will receive a questionnaire. We are always looking for ways to improve your holiday experience and appreciate the time you take to complete the questionnaire. Kindly hand your completed questionnaire in at Reception.
SAFE
There is a safe in every suite located in the closet. The safe can be programmed with your own code, instructions can be found inside the closet door and housekeeping will be available to assist upon embarkation. We recommend that you leave money and other valuables in the safe. Kindly remember to remove all items from the safe before disembarking the ship at the end of your cruise.
SAFETY DRILL & SAFETY
International Maritime Law requires a lifeboat safety drill to take place prior to sailing. All guests must attend this compulsory and important exercise. Please listen for the announcements. During the drill, all ships services will be suspended. Your assigned lifeboat station, location of your life jacket and the signal for lifeboat and fire drills are clearly explained on the emergency card posted on the back of your suite door. Life jackets are located in your suite. During the safety drill you will be shown how to wear the life jacket. It is essential that you take certain safety precautions while on board:
It is essential that you take certain safety precautions while on board:
• Walk, never run and be especially careful on wet and slippery decks.
• Ladies are advised to wear low heeled shoes especially on deck.
• Footwear should be worn at all times.
• Hold on to the handrails in passageways and stairways.
SHIP’S ID CARD
These personal ID cards with essential information are issued to each guest during embarkation. Please ensure you remember to check in and out at the gangway with the crew member on duty in order to ensure that you are on board prior to sailing.
SMOKING POLICY
The MS Island Sky offers a smoke-free cruise environment. Smoking is not permitted inside the ship, including the balcony areas. Smoking is only permitted in the designated area outside on Columbus Deck. Please never throw any cigarette ends overboard.
SUITES
On board there are 59 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting area, en-suite bathroom with vanity unit and walk-in shower, spacious wardrobe and dressing table. Suites on Explorer (Deck 6) and Erikson (Deck 5) have private balconies. Suites on Marco Polo Deck (Deck 4) have tinted sliding doors for enhanced views and quick access to the deck if any wildlife is spotted.All suites have the following facilities:
• Dressing gowns and slippers
• TV
• Electrical outlet & USB ports
• Hairdryer
• Heating and air-conditioning (individually controlled)
• Mini bar/fridge
• Safe
• Toiletries: hand soap, shower gel, shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion
• TelephoneEach suite has two twin beds that can be reconfigured to form a double bed upon request. Please advise the Reservations Department or the Reception, once on board, if you would like a double bed. Suites are serviced each morning by housekeeping and again in the evening when the beds are turned down. Please note that on MS Island Sky, all suites have a shower but none have baths.
TELEVISION
All suites are equipped with a television. There is a selection of channels available including news, films and documentaries.
TOILETRIES
Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and shower gel are provided in your bathroom. If you have forgotten anything ie. toothpaste, please ask Reception, who have a selection of items available for purchase.
VISITORS
For the safety and security of all passengers no visitors are allowed on board the ship.
VISITING THE BRIDGE
At times Bridge visits may be possible. If visiting the Bridge, please note this is a working area and access may sometimes be restricted.
WAKE UP CALL
Wake up calls can be requested through the Reception Desk before 11.00 pm.WATER
In order to reduce the damage caused to the environment by waste plastic, we replaced plastic bottled water where possible with eco-friendly, reusable water bottles and water carafes. These are for your use during the cruise and we kindly ask you to leave them in your suite at the end of the cruise. The bottles and carafes can be filled from the tap in your suite or from the water station outside The Club. Alternatively your Steward/ess can refill your carafe daily. Should you prefer to use plastic bottled water then please just let your Steward/ess know.
ZODIAC OR LOCAL BOATS TO TENDER ASHORE
Some destinations may require the use of the ship’s Zodiacs or local tender boats to go ashore. Guests will be advised where and when to meet the Zodiac or local tender boat to go ashore. Please ensure that your hands are free at all times and accept the assistance given by the crew on board the MS Island Sky when boarding tenders / Zodiacs. A Zodiac safety briefing will be given.
Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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Deckplan
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Deckplan
Skys Video Tour
Video Library
Skys Video Tour
What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below is an extract from the ship’s log of a previous expedition which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Cosmoledo: It was an early start today due to the tide times and at 7:30am the flotilla of Zodiacs made the journey into the mouth of the atoll, across the lagoon to the eastern shore. Once we arrived the site was wondrous with thousands of nesting birds sitting on the coral rock. They were mostly boobies, both red footed and masked, but there were also species of herons, terns, noddies, frigate birds and tropic birds. The sea was also full of turtles - there seemed to be hundreds darting about in the shallow water. The Zodiacs took their time passing up the shore, allowing plenty of bird photos to be taken. We then found little patches of beach to land on and to have a small walk about or a little swim or paddle. All the while the tide was quickly dropping and the beaches were becoming larger and larger. Soon it was time to head back to the ship and set sail for the Farquhar Group of islands. Once back aboard we enjoyed lunch, followed by a great talk all about the biology of coral reefs.
Aride: The intrepid birders set out early and were rewarded with the sight of birds that were totally unafraid of man, many of them at very close range. The birds were certainly friendly as were the two species of skink. White-tailed tropicbirds swooped through the woodland and crash-landed in the shrubbery on their way to their nests, their landing technique a stark contrast to their grace in flight. The fairy terns sat on their branches and met us eye to eye. Most people got to see the fluffy little chicks, hatched on a bare branch and now moving around, waiting for their feathers to grow so that they could fly. Seychelles fodies were everywhere while common moorhens ran around in the undergrowth, far away from water.
La Digue: This afternoon we were back in our trusty Zodiacs for a short ride to a very civilised landing on a floating pontoon inside the busy little harbour at La Digue. Here we boarded our camionettes, converted trucks with seats in the back, for our tour of the island. The more adventurous among us boarded bicycles and headed off to explore independently. We drove through the little village of La Passe, full of weaving bicycles, to the l’Union Estate where we were shown all the processes used in exploiting the coconuts, from dehusking to the copra kiln and the coconut oil mill, powered by a very patient and placid bull. We were also taken to the original old plantation house. We clambered back aboard our camionettes for a short ride to the beach at L’Anse Source d’Argent for a swim. The beach is famous, much photographed because of the dramatic contrast of rugged granite boulders, white sand and clear blue sea.
Also of Interest
Passage through the Seychelles
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Itinerary at a glance
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A voyage from Mauritius exploring Madagascar, Aldabra & Tanzania aboard the MS Island Sky
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Itinerary at a glance
- Mauritius / Reunion Island / Masoala National Park / Nosy Mangabe / Domaine de Bobangira / Diego Suarez / Nosy Hara / Aldabra Islands / Kilwa Kisiwani / Latham Island / Zanzibar / Dar es Salaam
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Next Departure:
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000