Deckplan
Fire & Ice in the Russian Far East
An expedition from Russia to Japan including the Kamchatka Peninsula & Kuril Islands aboad the MS Caledonian Sky
- 1 June 2020
The remote reaches of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the distant and isolated Kuril Islands have fired the imagination of explorers and traders for centuries.
Our past travellers have enthused about the spectacular scenery, the incredible array of wildlife and the native cultures known to only a few privileged visitors. The wildlife is some of the richest in the world and the region is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise with puffins, guillemots, cormorants, Steller’s sea eagle, brown-headed thrush, Siberian Ruby-throats, black legged kittiwakes, and crested or whiskered auklets just some of the species we hope to encounter as we cruise through a pristine environment that calls to nature lovers, history buffs, photographers and the intrepid explorer within.
The Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia’s remote easternmost province is home to the brown bear and on arrival there we will be greeted by a dramatic landscape of fire and ice. Geysers, hot springs and active volcanoes set amidst towering mountains and fast flowing rivers make this area magnificently unique. Marvel at spouting whales, frolicking seals and huge populations of nesting and migratory seabirds. Following our time around the peninsula, we reach the Kurils, a necklace-like chain of volcanic islands where we will find vast forests and wildflower-dappled tundra, backdropped by soaring steam-breathing volcanoes. Basalt stacks rise from the sea, tailormade resting and nesting spots for an unimaginable number of seabirds. Once inhabited by the Ainu, who are thought to be descendants of migrating Mongolians, these islands are home to over 100 volcanoes, 35 of which are active.
Using our fleet of Zodiacs we can explore inlets, bird sanctuaries and land in otherwise inaccessible places and, although we set sail with a set itinerary, it is often the unscheduled events that become the highlight. Sailing in June, we will take full advantage of the mid-summer sun, travelling on nature’s terms, enjoying dramatic scenery and encountering the region’s ancient cultures and fascinating people whose lives are rarely touched by outsiders. We will be joined onboard by an expert expedition team including naturalists, marine biologists and ornithologists who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm during forays ashore and whilst on board.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
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What to Expect...
We have operated many voyages in the Russian Far East and whilst each expedition is different based on weather conditions and wildlife sightings, the extracts below from past ships’ logs will provide you with an insight into what you can expect from a voyage in this fascinating region.
Zhupanova River: “We zigzagged our way through the channel arriving in the deeper area of the river. Here we soon spotted a Steller’s sea eagle surveying the river from the shoreline, Aleutian terns, crows, the ever present gulls and many, common seals. With such a rich habitat full of trout, no wonder there was such a strong presence of these wonderful marine mammals.” “Later Colin spotted three bears. Spooked by the Zodiac they quickly made haste up the hill and into the woodland however just a few moments later we spotted a lone bear feeding 20-metres or so from the shoreline. All Zodiacs approached at very slow speed and then switched the engines off entirely so as not only to avoid scaring the bear, but also just to listen to the sounds of the forest which included the regular call of a cuckoo. We stayed with the bear for some time as he was enjoying quite a feast just pausing from time to time to check we didn’t pose a threat. After a little while we backed away using our Zodiac paddles before switching our engines back on and meandering back down the river. With our time almost up, we stopped by the Steller’s sea eagle one more time then headed onwards to the ship.”
Kamchatka Peninsula: “As Zodiacs started moving towards a waterfall at the north side of the bay to start the cruise, a bear was spotted almost straight away in one of the valleys. This bear moved off but minutes later a mother and two cubs were seen on the cliffs right above where we were cruising. Moving deeper into the bay we became aware that we were being watched by a pair of Steller sea eagles nesting in a tree at the top of the cliff.” “Three orcas flowed along with us for a while, coming close to the bow, and no sooner had they moved on than Brent spotted a sperm whale. The captain slowed down and gently manoeuvred the ship close, giving us spectacular views of this huge animal as he breathed for a while then fluked up for a deep dive.” “The river mouth was shallow and fast-flowing, and Sergey saw a bear near the huts when he went in to scout, so we stayed in the Zodiacs for a while to head upstream. After sighting a Steller’s sea eagle and dozens of red-throated divers, we rounded a bend and sure enough, there was ‘our’ bear. For the next half hour or so, we stayed quiet and slowly edged the Zodiacs just a little further up the river until we were all against the bank watching this big bear, as he munched and snuffled in the vegetation.”
Ariy Kamen & Nikolskoye, Bering Island, Commander Islands: “When we arrived we found a tiny columnar basalt island absolutely covered in seabirds. Thousands of blacklegged kittiwakes were joined by hundreds of their smaller, dainty red-legged relatives. Every ledge was packed, clusters of kittiwakes and clusters of common and Brunnich’s guillemots, interspersed with glossy black red-faced and pelagic shags. A handful of horned puffins seemed to almost pose for us on some of the ledges, and higher up on the grass we could see auklets.”
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Expedition Cruising aboard the MS Caledonian Sky - When Small is most certainly Best
The MS Caledonian Sky is the perfect small expedition ship for those who wish to truly see and experience the natural wonders of the Russian Far East, both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to explore ashore. For this expedition, our onboard team will comprise of ten experts and, in addition you will be in the company of only 90 likeminded, English speaking fellow travellers. This number allows for a convivial atmosphere on board and most importantly, the advantage of being able to disembark all passengers into nine Zodiacs when we arrive at our destinations or when wildlife is spotted that warrants a closer look. Unlike the larger ships, there will be no waiting around to access the Zodiacs and therefore a greater amount of time will be spent ashore. After a day of exploring exhilarating and exciting locations on land, back on board the all-suite MS Caledonian Sky you can expect the highest standards of comfort and service.
Caledonian Sky
The MS Caledonian Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 - London to Seoul, South Korea.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 - Seoul.
Arrive today and transfer to the Grand Hyatt Incheon (or similar) for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure.
Day 3 - Seoul to Petropavlovsk, Russia.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport to join our specially chartered flight to Petropavlovsk. On arrival transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky and embark. Enjoy Welcome Drinks and Dinner this evening.
Day 4 - Petropavlovsk.
Petropavlovsk, town of Peter and Paul, derives its name from the two sailing ships used by Vitus Bering when the great explorer reached Avacha Bay in 1740. It is the only major city on the peninsula and one of the oldest towns in the Russian Far East. A tour of the city will include the museum of ethnography and natural history, the art school, the gold-domed Orthodox Cathedral and the marketplace. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail this afternoon.
Day 5 - Kamenistaya Bay, Kamchatka.
Our exploration of Kamchatka will start this morning in Kamenistaya Bay located in the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve. The reserve was established in 1934 and is one of the oldest in Russia covering an area of almost 11,000 square kilometres which contains forest, tundra, taiga, mountains, volcanoes and geysers, a hugely diverse habitat for the abundant wildlife. The reserve is home to brown bears as well as caribou, otters, seals and multiple species of birds. If conditions permit we will offer walks with our expedition teams on land or Zodiac cruises to view the wildlife.
Day 6 - Ariy Kamen & Nikolskoye, Commander Islands.
The Komandorskiye or CommanderCommander Vitus Bering who had been commissioned by the Russian Tsar to search for a land bridge between Asia and America. After having been to Alaska he was forced to overwinter here. He was buried on the island, but some of the crew managed to return to Petropavlovsk. Our experiences will be determined by weather, wildlife and sea conditions. We intend to visit Nikolskoye, which was established in 1826 by fur traders. This fishing village on Bering Island has a small museum where we will learn about the Aleut people and their culture. During our visit we will enjoy a concert and be entertained by a presentation of local games. After lunch we hope to take a Zodiac ride to tiny Ariy Kamen Island, a habitat for vast numbers of birds. Islands are named after famed
Days 7 & 8 - Kamchatka Peninsula.
This morning we will cruise back to Kamchatka for a further day and a half of exploration including the Zhupanova River. The Zhupanova River Estuary is a scenic maze of moist bogs, serpentine river channels and ponds against a snowy backdrop. The tall volcanic cone of Kronoskaya Sopka (3528 metres) stands above this predominantly uninhabited land. The river is one of the most productive trout rivers in the world and is home to the richest rainbow trout habitat on Kamchatka. This afternoon we have the opportunity to take a long Zodiac cruise along the river looking for wildlife including Steller’s sea eagles, Aleutian terns, seals and of course the iconic Kamchatka brown bears. We hope to Zodiac cruise at Cape Kekurnyy, well known for the population of Steller sea lions that haul onto the rocks and maybe also make a landing in Tikhirka Bay.
Days 9 to 12 - Kuril Islands.
The Kuril Islands consist of a volcanic archipelago that stretches 1300 kilometres, through the Sea of Okhotsk, from northern Japan to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Our itinerary for these four days will be flexible as our Captain and Expedition Leader will plan landings based on weather and sea conditions. However we hope to visit Chirpoy Island. The origin of the names is uncertain, the original Ainu language name of the island was Repunmoshiri, a word meaning “place of many small birds”. During a Zodiac cruise we search along the coast for the profusion of wildlife that lives in the area including Steller sea lions, fulmars, kittiwakes, puffins and auklets. Yankicha Island is impressive, accessible only by Zodiac and only during high tide, it is actually a sinking volcanic caldera. Inside the magnificent lagoon with its fumaroles and hot springs, we can still see traces of the tremendous forces that created the island long ago. The number of auklets which breed here is truly incredible. Alaid on Atlasova Island is the highest volcano in the Kurils with a height of over 2000 metres. Together with our expedition staff, we will land by Zodiac on the black lava beach of the island from where we will begin our walk to see the remains of the Taketomi tufa cone.
Day 13 - Tyuleniy Island.
We arrive later in the morning to explore Tyuleniy Island. Tyuleniy means “seal” in Russian, and during the summer months the island is home to literally tens of thousands of northern fur seals and Steller sea lions. Our visit, at the height of the breeding season is well timed to see not only the seals and sea lions, but also tens of thousands of common guillemots and blacklegged kittiwakes that have made their nests in the cliffs above. Our lecture programme continues on board when we depart around mid-afternoon.
Day 14 - Korsakov.
Our last call in Russia will be at the port of Korsakov where we see Yuzhno- Sakhalinsk’s beautiful Cathedral of the Resurrection. The church was only completed in 1995 and the gold on the onion domes has very recently been laid, shining brilliantly. From the church continue to the Sakhalin Regional Museum, which is housed in a beautiful Japanese style structure, due to the previous ruling of its southern neighbour. The museum covers all the facets of Sakhalin Island, from its flora and fauna, to its geology and history. Return to the MS Caledonian Sky for lunch as we clear Russian formalities and sail this afternoon towards Japan.
Day 15 - Otaru to Tokyo, Japan.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Sapporo airport for our scheduled internal flight to Tokyo. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon we will have a brief city tour before an evening at leisure to explore independently.
Day 16 - Tokyo to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. Arrive this afternoon.
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is subject to change. Our exact route will depend on weather conditions, the wildlife we encounter and permissions from the Russian authorities.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE £500 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 1 to 16 June 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Castle Deck Standard Suite | £13495 | £12995 |
| Caledonian Deck Superior Suite | £13895 | £13395 |
| Promenade Deck Premium Suite | £14395 | £13895 |
| Bridge Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £14995 | £14495 |
| Promenade Deck Premium Balcony Suite | £15495 | £14995 |
| Promenade Deck Owner's Corner Suite | £15995 | £15495 |
| Castle Deck Standard for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
| Caledonian Deck Superior for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCCKS010620
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel • Overnight hotel accommodation in Seoul on bed & breakfast basis • 12 nights aboard the MS Caledonian Sky on a full board basis • Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Overnight hotel accommodation in Tokyo on bed & breakfast basis • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Russian visa.
Important Visa Information: A visa is required for Russia and Noble Caledonia will provide all supporting documentation needed although the process to apply for the visa cannot be started until three months before departure and in some instances can take up to six weeks. To obtain a Russian visa it will be necessary for passengers to attend application centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Caledonian Sky
The MS Caledonian Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three 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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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 Caledonian Sky for your upcoming voyage. The 114-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 70 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.
ADAPTORS
Adaptors for hairdryers, mobile phones etc. can be obtained from Reception. These should be returned to Reception at the end of the cruise and are the property of the MS Caledonian Sky.
AIR-CONDITIONING
The entire ship is air-conditioned. All cabins 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 cabins.
CABINS
The vessel has 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed cabins. All feature a sitting area, en-suite bathroom with marble topped vanity unit and walk-in shower, spacious wardrobe and dressing table. Cabins on the Bridge Deck (Deck 5) and selected cabins on the Promenade Deck (Deck 4) have private balconies.
All cabins have the following facilities:- Dressing gowns and slippers
- TV
- Electrical outlet
- Hairdryer
- Heating and air-conditioning (individually controlled)
- Mini bar & fridge – upon request it can be filled with soft drinks and beer for purchase. The mini bar is stocked on arrival and replenished daily. A price list can be found in the cabin.
- Safe
- Molton Brown toiletries: hand soap, shower gel, shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion
- Telephone
Each cabin 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. Cabins are serviced each morning by your cabin attendant and again in the evening when the beds are turned down.
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 cabin 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. 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 Caledonian Lounge. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are available self-service 24 hours a day in The Caledonian Lounge. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner.MS Caledonian Sky operates an open seating policy which greatly enhances the convivial atmosphere on board. The Restaurant has +44 (0)20 7752 0000 7 table configurations of 8, 6, 4 and some 2’s. Room service is not available on board. As we operate an open seating policy, we regret that reservations cannot be made. Please note that passengers are not permitted to consume their own supplies of alcohol on board. Water is safe to drink onboard and is treated with chlorine. A complimentary bottle of water is provided in your cabin upon embarkation and can be replenished upon request. An eco-friendly, reusable water bottle is also available in the cabin for your use throughout the cruise.
DISABLED FACILITIES
There is a lift on board but the ship does not have facilities for disabled or wheelchair dependent passengers. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking and some excursions are walking tours only. There is no chairlift on board and access to the ship is by gangway.
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 should 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 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 a dress for ladies. No “black tie” is necessary. It is recommended to wear footwear at all times whilst on board.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 pin American adaptor for the 110v plug. Please note that the use of personal hairdryers, clothing irons, coffee makers, curling tongs, etc. in the cabins is strictly forbidden as they may damage the ship’s electrical system. If you require electrical medical equipment, please notify the Reservation 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 Caledonian Sky has a hairdresser providing haircuts and hairstyling. Some beauty treatments and massage are also available. Appointments for hair styling 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 cabin is equipped with a hairdryer which can be found in the right hand top drawer of the dresser.
HEALTH & HYGIENE
In order to maintain health standards you will find hand sanitizers at key positions around the ship particularly at the entrance to restaurants and near the gangway. We kindly ask you to use these regularly.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
A laundry service is available on board. Laundry bags and a price list can be found in the wardrobe in your cabin. 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 cabin 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. Cabin 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 by dialing 300. 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
For your convenience a mini bar facility has been set up in your suite on a chargeable basis. Items consumed during the cruise will be charged to your onboard account. Your Steward/ess will restock your mini bar on a daily basis and replenish consumed items. The mini bar price list is placed in the cabinet of your mini bar. The final statement will be delivered to your cabin in the early morning of your disembarkation.
NEWS
News channels are available on your cabin 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:
• Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).
• Cash (British Pounds, Australian Dollars or US Dollars).
• Travellers’ Cheques (British Pounds, US Dollars or Euros).
Debit cards and prepaid 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 Panorama Lounge – Located on the Panorama Deck (Deck 6). Here you can find a comfortable area to relax in with as well as the Library and the Panorama Honesty Bar. Outside you can enjoy the forward facing observation platform and comfortable sun loungers.
The Library – Located on the Panorama Deck (Deck 6 aft). 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 for your pleasure. Novels brought on board may be exchanged with other books in the paperback library. Should you wish to donate any books which you may have brought with you, we will be happy to add these for the pleasure of future guests. Reference books may not be removed from the ship. Please return all borrowed materials as soon as you have finished using them. Facilities to access the ship's Wi-Fi and Internet are also available here.
The Lido Deck – Located on the Bridge Deck (Deck 5 aft). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here outside (weather permitting). Sample the delicious barbeques and eye catching displays prepared by your chefs.
The Gym – Located on the Promenade Deck (Deck 4 aft). A small gym features a treadmill, bicycle cross trainer, weights and yoga mats.
The Caledonian Lounge – Located on the Caledonian Deck (Deck 3 aft). Daily Briefings by the Cruise Director or Expedition Leader are given in The Caledonian Lounge which is fitted with multiple screens and presentation equipment. Informative talks from the Guest Speaker or expedition team are also given here. The Caledonian Lounge features the main bar and a 24 hour tea and coffee station. In the evening our onboard resident pianist plays before and after dinner.
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 cabin staff 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’s 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:
• 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 Caledonian 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 Deck 4 aft. Please never throw any cigarette ends overboard – the breeze could carry the smouldering end back on board and start a fire. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Calls to other cabins can be made free of charge by dialing the cabin number. Lift the handset and dial the cabin number. If you wish to make an outside call, please check at Reception to purchase a prepaid telephone card and instructions. Costs are available from Reception and charges are automatically billed to your onboard account.
TOILETRIES
Molton Brown 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 by dialling 300 before 11.00 pm.
WATER
Previously the MS Caledonian Sky used 54,000 bottles of water a year. 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. The water bottles are for your use during the cruise and we kindly ask you to leave them in your cabin at the end of the cruise. The bottles can be filled from the tap – the tap water is safe to drink – or from the water station in The Caledonian Lounge. Some bottled water will be available in your cabin on arrival and can be replenished upon request.
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 Caledonian 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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Cabin Plan
Cabin Plans
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Videos
Videos
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Deck plans
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Deckplan
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Video Library
What to Expect...
We have operated many voyages in the Russian Far East and whilst each expedition is different based on weather conditions and wildlife sightings, the extracts below from past ships’ logs will provide you with an insight into what you can expect from a voyage in this fascinating region.
Zhupanova River: “We zigzagged our way through the channel arriving in the deeper area of the river. Here we soon spotted a Steller’s sea eagle surveying the river from the shoreline, Aleutian terns, crows, the ever present gulls and many, common seals. With such a rich habitat full of trout, no wonder there was such a strong presence of these wonderful marine mammals.” “Later Colin spotted three bears. Spooked by the Zodiac they quickly made haste up the hill and into the woodland however just a few moments later we spotted a lone bear feeding 20-metres or so from the shoreline. All Zodiacs approached at very slow speed and then switched the engines off entirely so as not only to avoid scaring the bear, but also just to listen to the sounds of the forest which included the regular call of a cuckoo. We stayed with the bear for some time as he was enjoying quite a feast just pausing from time to time to check we didn’t pose a threat. After a little while we backed away using our Zodiac paddles before switching our engines back on and meandering back down the river. With our time almost up, we stopped by the Steller’s sea eagle one more time then headed onwards to the ship.”
Kamchatka Peninsula: “As Zodiacs started moving towards a waterfall at the north side of the bay to start the cruise, a bear was spotted almost straight away in one of the valleys. This bear moved off but minutes later a mother and two cubs were seen on the cliffs right above where we were cruising. Moving deeper into the bay we became aware that we were being watched by a pair of Steller sea eagles nesting in a tree at the top of the cliff.” “Three orcas flowed along with us for a while, coming close to the bow, and no sooner had they moved on than Brent spotted a sperm whale. The captain slowed down and gently manoeuvred the ship close, giving us spectacular views of this huge animal as he breathed for a while then fluked up for a deep dive.” “The river mouth was shallow and fast-flowing, and Sergey saw a bear near the huts when he went in to scout, so we stayed in the Zodiacs for a while to head upstream. After sighting a Steller’s sea eagle and dozens of red-throated divers, we rounded a bend and sure enough, there was ‘our’ bear. For the next half hour or so, we stayed quiet and slowly edged the Zodiacs just a little further up the river until we were all against the bank watching this big bear, as he munched and snuffled in the vegetation.”
Ariy Kamen & Nikolskoye, Bering Island, Commander Islands: “When we arrived we found a tiny columnar basalt island absolutely covered in seabirds. Thousands of blacklegged kittiwakes were joined by hundreds of their smaller, dainty red-legged relatives. Every ledge was packed, clusters of kittiwakes and clusters of common and Brunnich’s guillemots, interspersed with glossy black red-faced and pelagic shags. A handful of horned puffins seemed to almost pose for us on some of the ledges, and higher up on the grass we could see auklets.”
Travelling with You
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Dr Chris Edwards
A native of Scotland, after graduating from the University of Glasgow Chris was employed by the British Antarctic Survey and spent two and a half years in Antarctica as a field geologist. On return to the UK via a tour of South America he obtained a Ph.D. and published scientific papers based on his Antarctic work. Twelve years in the oil exploration industry saw Chris initially based in Aberdeen working both offshore and onshore before postings to South America and the Far East. On return to the UK he was based in London, Aberdeen and Glasgow. . Since 1989 he has been the horologist in his own antique clock restoration business.
This has allowed him the flexibility to leave the workshop for several months a year to work on expedition ships as an expedition leader and lecturer in the Antarctic, the Arctic and North-West Europe. Apart from his broad geological knowledge he is passionate about environmental and natural history matters, is a lichenologist, a bookbinder and keen photographer. Chris lives with his family in Aberdeenshire, Scotland where he grows trees, sails on ocean-going yachts for a charity, and bakes real bread.
Dr Chris Edwards will be on the following tour dates: 1 to 16 June 2020 -
Colin Baird
Colin grew up on the west coast of Canada and developed a love for the sea at an early age, sailing and scuba diving the local waters off Vancouver Island. He spent 10 years as a marine mammal trainer working with seals, sea lions and orca (perhaps better known as Killer Whales). In 2002 he was hired by Jean Michel Cousteau as the director of field operations for the Free Willy/ Keiko Project in Iceland and Norway. This was and remains today the only attempt to release a previously captive orca back into the wild.
Since then, Colin has been expedition cruising to many out of the way places; including Iceland, Norway, Svalbard, the high arctic and Antarctic. When at home in Canada leads whale watching tours from Victoria, B.C. during the northern summer to see his favourite of all the cetaceans….the orca.
Colin Baird will be on the following tour dates: 1 to 16 June 2020 -
Dmitri Banin
Born in Moscow, Russia, Dmitri studied biology at Moscow State University (MSU) where he completed his Ph.D. in Zoology and then continued his work in MSU’s Laboratory of Ornithology. His research expeditions have taken him too many remote areas, such as White Sea, Central Asia, Siberia and Russian Far East. Subsequently Dmitri was invited to work for the USSR Ministry of Natural Resources as the Head of the Department of Science.
There Dmitri developed research programs for all Natural Reserves of the former Soviet Union. Since coming to the U.S.A. at the invitation of the University of Washington, Dmitri has traveled throughout the North American and Eurasian Arctic regions, including Alaska, Chukotka, the North Pole, Franz Josef Land and Svalbard. Dmitri enjoys sharing his knowledge of the Arctic through lectures on marine biology and ornithology and always looking forward to visiting new remote destinations.
Dmitri Banin will be on the following tour dates: 1 to 16 June 2020 -
Tony Crocker
Tony has spent many years living and travelling through the length and breadth of Europe, in the course of an extensive career in travel and tourism, including over a year spent in the High Arctic. He has a lifelong interest in ornithology and, in his native New Zealand, is acknowledged as one of the best birders. He was editor of the OSNZ magazine Southern Bird for nine years and council member for six.
Tony is regularly active in various projects, especially involving research and monitoring of waders and seabirds, including a number of significant international expeditions. In his spare time he has recently been involved with predator eradication on a mammal-free island, and publishing on oystercatcher hybridisation. Tony has a MA in French and GradDipSc in History and Philosophy of Science. These days he spends most of his time at sea, as ornithologist/lecturer/zodiac driver on expedition ships (including UK/Europe, the South Pacific, South-east Asia, and the polar regions). He was most recently manager of Educational Travel programmes at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, NZ.
Tony Crocker will be on the following tour dates: 1 to 16 June 2020 -
Cheli Larsen
Cheli is a seasoned veteran when it comes to exploring the rich, breathtaking nature and animal life of the everchanging environment and has led passengers on more than 120 voyages to the Polar Regions. She got her first taste of polar adventure when she left her native New Zealand for the Russian Far East and continued on, leading expeditions to both well-known and “secret gem” locations across Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard, the North Pole, South Georgia, Antarctica and the South Sandwich Islands. A PADI Master Dive Instructor who also holds a Commercial Launch master Skippers Ticket, Cheli has been involved in orca studies, and worked as a field assistant with TVNZ Natural History Unit’s filming of the orca documentary Killers I Have Known, commissioned by The Discovery Channel, as well as on The Blue Planet.
Cheli Larsen will be on the following tour dates: 1 to 16 June 2020
Expedition Cruising aboard the MS Caledonian Sky - When Small is most certainly Best
The MS Caledonian Sky is the perfect small expedition ship for those who wish to truly see and experience the natural wonders of the Russian Far East, both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to explore ashore. For this expedition, our onboard team will comprise of ten experts and, in addition you will be in the company of only 90 likeminded, English speaking fellow travellers. This number allows for a convivial atmosphere on board and most importantly, the advantage of being able to disembark all passengers into nine Zodiacs when we arrive at our destinations or when wildlife is spotted that warrants a closer look. Unlike the larger ships, there will be no waiting around to access the Zodiacs and therefore a greater amount of time will be spent ashore. After a day of exploring exhilarating and exciting locations on land, back on board the all-suite MS Caledonian Sky you can expect the highest standards of comfort and service.
Also of Interest
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Itinerary at a glance
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Itinerary at a glance
- Moscow /Uglich / yaroslavl / Goritsy / Kizhi /Svirstroy / St Petersburg
The Glories of Russia - 2020
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Itinerary at a glance
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000