Deckplan
Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords
An Exploration of the Land of Fire & Ice from Ushuaia to Valparaiso aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
- 9 March 2019
- 8 March 2020
Those who have a passion for the wilder places on our planet usually have Patagonia on their must do list. Shaped by fire and ice, this rugged, yet hauntingly beautiful land of windswept pampas, hanging glaciers and cloud piercing peaks, remains today as enticing and fascinating as it did to Magellan, Drake and more latterly Darwin.
Chile is made for cruising. Its shape and geographic location is just perfect; thousands of miles of coastline that you can of course explore aboard one of the many huge cruise vessels calling at the major cities of South America, or alternatively join us aboard the MS Hebridean Sky and enjoy the wonders of this magical country, some of which only small ships have access to. With our fleet of onboard Zodiacs we will be able to explore deep into the fjord system away from the larger cruise vessels which may be in the region.
Wildlife abounds here and the skies are filled with the cries of seabirds. Albatross’ and petrels wheel overhead and sea lions bark from their rocky outcrops. Helping us understand all the wonders we shall encounter will be our experts and expedition staff who will accompany us ashore and our highly adaptable Zodiac craft will allow us to enter tiny inlets and explore fjords and stretches of magnificent coastline.
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...
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and the below extracts from a past expedition log will provide you with an idea of what to expect during your voyage.
Friday 9 March 2018 – Cape Horn.
The night had passed smoothly and we awoke to a promising day as the sun rose over relatively calm waters at our anchorage off Cape Horn. Not many can say they have anchored off Cape Horn and enjoyed a quiet breakfast but today we had been blessed. A scouting Zodiac returned from the shore with the great news that a landing was possible so we all prepared for the first outing of our voyage. Remembering the details given in the Zodiac briefing the evening prior we boarded the Zodiacs for the short crossing from ship to shore to land on a boulder beach on the sheltered side of the island. The two main objectives of the visit were the Chilean Naval Station, encompassing the lighthouse and chapel, and the monument honouring all the sailors who lost their lives sailing around the Horn.
The climb to the top of the stairs proved to be unexpectedly very interesting botanically. The morning grew warmer as we traced the helpful, but occasionally rickety, boardwalk to the ingeniously crafted steel albatross monument. The on duty Chilean custodian of the lighthouse seemed pleased to welcome company on their isolated island. The sun continued to shine as we explored the lighthouse and environs. All too soon it was time to return to the Hebridean Sky, but lunch awaited, so life was not too bad. We were destined to travel back north, but as time and weather conditions permitted Captain Niklas Peterstam was able, and willing to take us on an anticlockwise circumnavigation of the whole island, completing the tour with a blast of the ship’s horn to salute this very special place we had been privileged to visit.
Sunday 11 March 2018 – Punta Arenas and Magdalena Island
It was an early start to the day as we embarked in the Zodiacs at 7.30am on a calm but decidedly cool morning. Our objective for the day was Magdalena Island to visit the penguin colony that is home to maybe 58,000 pairs of Magellanic Penguins. We took a short journey by coach to board our exclusively chartered ferry which reached the island in under two hours. Our arrival coincided with the tail end of the penguin breeding cycle. Before us were many adult birds in the process of moulting. The birders amongst us took interest in the menacing looking skuas that were lurking with intent and also some ever active waders skipping along the tide line. The stars of the show though were undoubtedly the penguins which never fail to delight the eye, even when exhausted by family duties. Back aboard the Hebridean Sky Sebastian gave his second presentation entitled Shackleton in Chile, a stirring tale of derring-do from the early 1900s. Having only short experience of life in an open boat we marvelled once again at the exploits and fortitude of the stout bunch of men under the command of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Continuing our passage through the convoluted channels of the Chilean Fjords we rounded the southernmost tip of mainland South America. The ever changing lighting was fabulous as the angle of the sun’s rays decreased casting bright and bluish search light shafts of light onto the white cross marking the cape, and the surface of the sea and land beyond.
Wednesday 14 March 2018 - White Narrows and Bernal Glacier
We pulled away from the pier at Puerto Natales retracing some of our track as we began to thread our way back through the narrow channels of these remote Chilean fjords. The weather was changeable throughout the morning as we penetrated further into the Reserva Nacional Alacufes amidst spectacular mountains topped with a white dusting of fresh snow. Time allowed for an extra landing. Running roughly north to south and joining Canal Valdez at right angles is the fjord Canal de las Montañas and this was our opportunity to explore a little visited area. Frozen fingers of ice grasping between the rock peaks thousands of feet above us indicated the presence of the huge lurking mass of ancient frozen water above. Glacier Zamudio had pushed all the way down to the sea but our destination was Bernal Glacier some kilometres further on. On arrival there was a keen wind and a little rain but the glacier looked too good to miss so many of us braved the Zodiacs to land on a makeshift shingle promontory. A brisk 20 minute walk along a dugout natural path took us through swamp berry bushes. At one point the raised path curved across a pale turquoise lagoon giving a Lord of the Rings feeling to the approach to the glacier. Creeping Magellanic gunneras bearing bright red fruits carpeted the edges of our walkway in such a picturesque style that this could easily pass for a designed garden, but this was purely a work of nature. There are not many glaciers in the world as approachable as the Bernal and we were able to touch the huge ice crystals on the face of the cascading frozen river. Time passed quickly in this little oasis of tranquillity but there was plenty to talk over at the evening recap when we returned to the ship and all who stepped ashore agreed that this extra mini adventure had been well worthwhile.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian 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. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay. Rooms will be available on arrival and the remainder of the day and evening are free to relax and explore independently.
Day 3 - Buenos Aires.
During our guided morning tour we will visit the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. We will continue to the neighbourhood of La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. We will see the woods of Palermo with 741 acres of gardens and artificial ponds surrounded by elegant buildings. This afternoon is free to relax before we meet this evening for a tango show and dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 - Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival, transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and sail this evening. Enjoy the scenery as we enter the Beagle Channel, named after the HMS Beagle which Robert Fitzroy piloted through this extraordinarily beautiful channel with naturalist Charles Darwin in the 1830s.
Day 5 - Cape Horn.
We will make our way around Cape Horn, one of the best known maritime landmarks in the world. Magellan was the first European visitor here in 1520 and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal it was an important staging post. Weather permitting we hope to use our Zodiacs to land and enjoy a walk to the monument. This afternoon we return to the Beagle Channel. Here the mountains, still partly unmapped, drop as sheer, densely wooded cliffs into the channel and six glaciers flow from the 8000 foot Mount Darwin into the sea. Penguins, dolphins and the South American sea lions abound here in the channel.
Days 6 to 12 - Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas & Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
During the
next seven days we will enjoy
some of the most stunning
scenery imaginable. This vast area
of mountains, glaciers, islands,
lakes and waterfalls is untouched
by man except for a few fishing
villages which perch at ‘the end
of the world’. We will make
good use of our time exploring
the beautiful protected waters,
enjoying the renowned fjords of
southern Chile which rival those
of southeast Alaska in their raw
beauty and prolific wildlife. Crystal
clear reflections of vertical walls
and hanging glaciers are broken
only by the ripples of dolphins and
whales, whilst overhead, the sky is
alive with seabirds. See how quickly you run out of suitable adjectives
to describe all you are witnessing.
Our route will be managed by
our experienced Captain and
Expedition Leader alongside the
local pilots. As well as stunning
scenic cruising, the area is ideal for
Zodiac forays.
From Punta Arenas
we will travel to Magdalena Island to see
the Magellan penguins that return
each year to mate and live in large
groups on the beach. This is now
a protected area and the colony
numbers are up to 10,000. As we
continue our journey we hope
to navigate the Kirke Narrows,
a remarkable channel leading
between lush, forested shores, so
narrow it can only be sailed at low
tide. Dropping anchor at Puerto
Natales, we enjoy a full day in
South America’s largest national
park, the Torres del Paine. This
is one of the most spectacular
places on earth, a vast uninhabited
wilderness of glacier-draped
mountains, windswept pampas,
turquoise glacial lakes and verdant
valleys. Look out for herds of
guanacos (a smaller version of the
llama), rheas, Patagonian hares,
foxes and rich birdlife and see the
stunning rock formations of the
Horns of Paine.
We also hope to
operate Zodiac excursions ashore
in some of the remote fjords we
pass on our journey.
Day 13 - Chiloe Island.
Chile’s second largest island, Chiloe Island was one of the first Spanish strongholds in the Pacific Southern South America. Once the island had been conquered, it was hard for indigenous uprisings to reconquer and as a result it became a major link in the Spanish trade route around Cape Horn. The island was also visited by Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in 1831. Our visit ashore on this mainly forested island will include Castro, one of the oldest towns in the Americas, known for its unique wooden architecture and stilted houses. See the wooden cathedral of St Francis and the historic old quarter.
Day 14 - Puerto Montt.
Just when you thought you had seen the best Chile has to offer, we land at picturesque Puerto Montt, a resort town in the Lake District. Settled by German colonists in the mid-19th century, much of its early Middle- European styled architecture remains, rendering a slightly bizarre feel in such an obviously un- European setting. Leaving the ship we will head to the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park which is the oldest in Chile and contains three commanding volcanoes in Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo. We will see the mighty Petrohue River and the rapids that crash through lava channels creating a series of magnificent waterfalls. We will return to the ship via Puerto Varas situated in a stunning location on Lago Llanquihue with a backdrop of the Osorno volcano.
Day 15 - Valdivia.
After a morning at sea we arrive in Niebla the port that serves the nearby colonial city of Valdivia, one of the oldest European settlements in Chile. An afternoon excursion will include time visiting Niebla Fort, one of the largest strongholds in Valdivia, it played a vital role in the city’s defence thanks to its strategic positioning and unhindered views of the Pacific Ocean. Learn how Lord Cochrane expelled the Spanish troops from the forts on behalf of the newly formed Chilean governments in the 1920s. We will spend some time exploring the anthropological museum and enjoy a beer tasting at the Kunstmann Brewery.
Day 16 - At sea.
Enjoy a relaxing day on board as we continue our journey north along the Chilean coast.
Day 17 - Valparaiso to Santiago.
Disembark this morning and enjoy a morning in Valparaiso. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf, the Plaza Soto Mayor and the Naval Academy before heading to the Casablanca Valley which is now one of the country’s premier wine areas and we will enjoy a tasting and lunch at one of the vineyards. This afternoon on arrival in Santiago we transfer to the Intercontinental Hotel (or similar) and have the remainder of the day to explore independently.
Day 18 - Santiago to London.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 19 - London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £200 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 9 to 27 March 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Price | |
| Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £8095 | |
| Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £8395 | |
| Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £8795 | |
| Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £9295 | |
| Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £10295 | |
| Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £10795 | |
| Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £12095 | |
| Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £11335 | |
| Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £11755 | |
| 8 to 26 March 2020 | ||
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £8695 | £8495 |
| Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £8995 | £8795 |
| Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £9495 | £9295 |
| Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £9995 | £9795 |
| Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £10995 | £10795 |
| Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £11495 | £11295 |
| Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £12895 | £12695 |
| Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £11995 | £11795 |
| Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £12595 | £12395 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS90319
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, two nights hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires on a bed and breakfast basis, half day Buenos Aires tour, tango show and dinner in Buenos Aires, 13 nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, shore excursions, Noble Caledonia onboard team, transfers, port taxes, gratuities, overnight hotel accommodation in Santiago on a bed and breakfast basis.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian 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. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
Please click on the booklet to view.We are delighted you have chosen the MS Hebridean Sky for your upcoming 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 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 Hebridean Sky. There is also an adaptor extension box with USB ports by the cabin television.
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
Onboard there are 59 exceptionally spacious and well designed cabins. All feature a sitting area, en suite bathroom with vanity unit and walk-in shower featuring rainfall and separate hand held shower heads, spacious wardrobe and dressing table. Cabins on the Shackleton & Scott Decks 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 with the exception of cabins 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed. Please advise the Reservations Department or the Reception Desk, 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.
Please note that aboard the MS Hebridean Sky, all cabins have a shower but none have baths.
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone
If you wish to contact the ship, please call +1 954 672 6930. This is a US number so calls will be charged at an international rate. There is a phone in your cabin which has access to an outside line. Outgoing call costs will be advised on board. You can make cabin to cabin calls free of charge. The ship can be contacted by email at rec@hs.salenship.com. Please indicate the passenger name and cabin 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. There are facilities in the Library to access the internet and Noble Caledonia also offers complimentary satellite Wi-Fi access on board. Wi-Fi is available in the public areas and passenger cabins. You will need to bring your own device to connect in these areas. Wi-Fi cards, with your unique log in and instructions, are available at Reception. 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.
• 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 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 Club or in The Lounge depending on activities. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are available self-service 24 hours a day in The Club. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner. MS Hebridean 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. 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 on board and is treated with chlorine. A complimentary bottle of water is provided in your cabin upon embarkation and can be replenished as required. 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 chair lift 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, 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 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 twopin 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 Reservations department as soon as possible.
GOING ASHORE
Please wait in the 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 Hebridean Sky has a hairdresser providing haircuts and hairstyling. Some beauty treatments and massage are also available. Appointments for hair styling can be made onboard at the Reception Desk. Fees for all treatments are available at Reception and will be charged to your on board 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
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. Onboard 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. 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, Euros or US Dollars).
• Travellers’ Cheques (British Pounds, US Dollars or Euros). Debit cards and pre-pad 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 Mawson Deck aft. 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 Mawson Deck 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.
The Lounge – Located on the Byrd Deck aft. 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.
Observation Deck & Sun Bathing – Located on Shackleton Deck. There is an area for sun loungers ideal for sunbathing as well as a forward facing viewing platform.
Promenade Deck – Located on the Mawson Deck. We kindly ask for your consideration to those guests whose cabins are located on and beneath the Promenade Deck. Please use the deck for walking / jogging between 08.30 am and 21.00 pm.
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 drawer of the television cabinet. 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 remember to check in and out at the gangway with the crew member on duty in order for them to ensure that you are on board prior to sailing.
SMOKING POLICY
The MS Hebridean Sky offers a smoke-free cruise environment. Smoking is not permitted inside the ship, including the balcony areas and is only permitted in the designated area outside on Mawson Deck 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.
TELEVISION
All suites are equipped with a flat screen television. There is a selection of channels available including news and documentaries.A DVD player is available on request from the Reception and a small number of DVD's are available to borrow. DVD's are configured to Region 2.
TOILETRIES
Molton Brown shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, body lotion 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
Water from the taps in your cabin is safe to drink. Previously the MS Hebridean Sky used 54,000 bottles of water a year. In order to reduce the damage caused to the environment by waste plastic, we have 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. These can be filled from the tap or the water station outside the Club. A complimentary bottle of water is placed in your cabin at the beginning of the cruise and can be replenished as required.
ZODIAC OR LOCAL BOATS TO GO 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 for travel to and from the ship. Please ensure that your hands are free at all times and accept the assistance given by the crew onboard the MS Hebridean 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 Plans
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...
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule may be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and the below extracts from a past expedition log will provide you with an idea of what to expect during your voyage.
Friday 9 March 2018 – Cape Horn.
The night had passed smoothly and we awoke to a promising day as the sun rose over relatively calm waters at our anchorage off Cape Horn. Not many can say they have anchored off Cape Horn and enjoyed a quiet breakfast but today we had been blessed. A scouting Zodiac returned from the shore with the great news that a landing was possible so we all prepared for the first outing of our voyage. Remembering the details given in the Zodiac briefing the evening prior we boarded the Zodiacs for the short crossing from ship to shore to land on a boulder beach on the sheltered side of the island. The two main objectives of the visit were the Chilean Naval Station, encompassing the lighthouse and chapel, and the monument honouring all the sailors who lost their lives sailing around the Horn.
The climb to the top of the stairs proved to be unexpectedly very interesting botanically. The morning grew warmer as we traced the helpful, but occasionally rickety, boardwalk to the ingeniously crafted steel albatross monument. The on duty Chilean custodian of the lighthouse seemed pleased to welcome company on their isolated island. The sun continued to shine as we explored the lighthouse and environs. All too soon it was time to return to the Hebridean Sky, but lunch awaited, so life was not too bad. We were destined to travel back north, but as time and weather conditions permitted Captain Niklas Peterstam was able, and willing to take us on an anticlockwise circumnavigation of the whole island, completing the tour with a blast of the ship’s horn to salute this very special place we had been privileged to visit.
Sunday 11 March 2018 – Punta Arenas and Magdalena Island
It was an early start to the day as we embarked in the Zodiacs at 7.30am on a calm but decidedly cool morning. Our objective for the day was Magdalena Island to visit the penguin colony that is home to maybe 58,000 pairs of Magellanic Penguins. We took a short journey by coach to board our exclusively chartered ferry which reached the island in under two hours. Our arrival coincided with the tail end of the penguin breeding cycle. Before us were many adult birds in the process of moulting. The birders amongst us took interest in the menacing looking skuas that were lurking with intent and also some ever active waders skipping along the tide line. The stars of the show though were undoubtedly the penguins which never fail to delight the eye, even when exhausted by family duties. Back aboard the Hebridean Sky Sebastian gave his second presentation entitled Shackleton in Chile, a stirring tale of derring-do from the early 1900s. Having only short experience of life in an open boat we marvelled once again at the exploits and fortitude of the stout bunch of men under the command of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Continuing our passage through the convoluted channels of the Chilean Fjords we rounded the southernmost tip of mainland South America. The ever changing lighting was fabulous as the angle of the sun’s rays decreased casting bright and bluish search light shafts of light onto the white cross marking the cape, and the surface of the sea and land beyond.
Wednesday 14 March 2018 - White Narrows and Bernal Glacier
We pulled away from the pier at Puerto Natales retracing some of our track as we began to thread our way back through the narrow channels of these remote Chilean fjords. The weather was changeable throughout the morning as we penetrated further into the Reserva Nacional Alacufes amidst spectacular mountains topped with a white dusting of fresh snow. Time allowed for an extra landing. Running roughly north to south and joining Canal Valdez at right angles is the fjord Canal de las Montañas and this was our opportunity to explore a little visited area. Frozen fingers of ice grasping between the rock peaks thousands of feet above us indicated the presence of the huge lurking mass of ancient frozen water above. Glacier Zamudio had pushed all the way down to the sea but our destination was Bernal Glacier some kilometres further on. On arrival there was a keen wind and a little rain but the glacier looked too good to miss so many of us braved the Zodiacs to land on a makeshift shingle promontory. A brisk 20 minute walk along a dugout natural path took us through swamp berry bushes. At one point the raised path curved across a pale turquoise lagoon giving a Lord of the Rings feeling to the approach to the glacier. Creeping Magellanic gunneras bearing bright red fruits carpeted the edges of our walkway in such a picturesque style that this could easily pass for a designed garden, but this was purely a work of nature. There are not many glaciers in the world as approachable as the Bernal and we were able to touch the huge ice crystals on the face of the cascading frozen river. Time passed quickly in this little oasis of tranquillity but there was plenty to talk over at the evening recap when we returned to the ship and all who stepped ashore agreed that this extra mini adventure had been well worthwhile.
Travelling with You
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Jane Wilson
For the last 10 years Jane has worked on expedition cruise vessels (including some Russian polar ice strengthened and icebreaker vessels) as a zodiac driver, lecturer and expedition leader in many remote corners of the world including South America, the Arctic and Antarctica, Europe, South-east Asia and the South Pacific. She also keeps her hand in the science pie as Voyage leader for the Australian Antarctic Division, being responsible for deploying support personnel, cargo and scientists to stations and field camps in Antarctica on the Australian research and re-supply icebreaker Aurora Australis. She is a keen skier and now calls the Rocky Mountains in Canada home.
Jane Wilson will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019 -
Sue Forbes
Sue has been creating wildlife, landscape and travel photos for 20+ years, traveling to over 80 countries on all 7 continents. She has combined this passion with an unusual career including everything from the Royal Air Force to various executive roles in Silicon Valley, California. Sue left her last job, at Motorola, a few years back to focus solely on wildlife & travel photography and her work has been published in newspapers, magazines & books in the UK and US since then. She spends most of the time on various Noble Caledonia ships as a member of the expedition staff helping passengers (and maybe the odd lemur as in this photo during her last visit to Madagascar!) take home great photos and learn more about their cameras / smartphones.
Sue is an avid naturalist looking at wildlife behaviour from a photographers perspective and has taught about wildlife and photography on expeditions ships around the world. She can also be found driving the odd zodiac!
You can find Sue’s images on her website at www.sueforbesphoto.com
Sue has a BSc in Electronic Engineering from Warwick University, UK and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, California
Sue Forbes will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019 -
Brian Seenan
Born in Scotland, Brian graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Geology.
His first role was diamond exploration in Zaire, with a lot of time spent in Zodiacs in croc-infested waters. Geological fieldwork and consultancy in gold and base metals, in Canada, was followed by a move to IBM in the UK. Brian brought IT and geology together, assisting oil majors with the selection and implementation of systems for seismic exploration, well plotting and platform operations.
Experience of implementing systems took Brian into project and program management, and eventually troubleshooting on complex IT systems, around the world.
Brian is a keen photographer and enjoys the outdoors, particularly ski-ing. Building his sailing skills has included many trips round Scottish coastal waters including a trip to St Kilda.
Recent activities have included building desks at a school in Kenya, looking after a wee lad who is disabled, and co-authoring a series of books on Human Reproduction for children.
Brian Seenan will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019 -
Dot Robertson
Born and bred in Melbourne I have always had a love of the outdoors and adventure. Getting out into the wilderness, exploring new places and meeting people from different cultures is my passion. For the past 25 years I have travelled to many places around the world, exploring everything from cities, wilderness, coastal regions and many historical sites.
A family history in both world wars first drew me to PNG. For the past seven years I have taken trekkers across the Kokoda Track to explore the history, experience the amazing environment and meet the wonderful people who live along the track. It is definitely an experience that stays with you and brings to life the battle fought by those courageous Australians during the Kokoda campaign.
Over the past few years I have also taken groups to hike Mt Rinjani on Lombok,walked the Inca trail, Mt Blanc, West Highland Way, Cuba and sea kayaking around the Komodo Islands.
In 2014 this work led to the opportunity as a tour director and expedition team member on the Caledonian Sky, a role that I totally embraced and absolutely love doing, carrying out numerous and varied roles and responsibilities.
Dot Robertson will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019 -
Graeme Snow
Better known as Snowy, Graeme is originally from Adelaide, South Australia, and has a professional background in electronic and telecommunications engineering. With a love of travel and adventure he joined the Australian Antarctic Division and over-wintered at Casey station Antarctica as a Radio Technical Officer in 1991. Following this, for 15 years Graeme worked in the Engineering section of the AAD, based in Hobart Tasmania, supporting Australia’s Antarctic Program.
During this time he undertook numerous trips to many regions of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, including spending over two years working on extended research voyages in the Southern Ocean and around the Antarctic continent, providing technical support and participating as a field assistant in areas as diverse as glaciology, oceanography, penguin and sea-bird monitoring and research, seal and krill biology, and whale observations and acoustics.
This deep connection to the Antarctic and polar environments led Graeme to sharing his expertise and experience on tourist voyages and since 2006 he has participated in over 80 voyages in many remote regions of the world. He has also spent months working in safari lodges in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa and over two years in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. In all he has traveled and worked in over 50 countries and all seven continents.
An experienced small boat operator and guide, Graeme’s areas of special interest are ornithology and marine biology as well as a general interest in history.
Graeme Snow will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019 -
Steve Traynor
Steve enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy when he was just 16 years old and since has spent most of his life on, in or around water, hence his nickname - Scuba Steve. Naturally he is a diver, with advanced professional level qualifications in the recreational, technical and commercial fields. Steve lives in the stunning lakeside alpine village of Wanaka, NZ. His experience as an international all-weather Zodiac driver puts him in high demand within the expedition cruising industry. He has worked full-time as an expedition guide since 2014, often spending 9 months or more of a year at sea. As an avid outdoorsman and a General Naturalist, when he is not at sea he enjoys guiding sustainable hunting, fishing and camping trips to remote locations. With almost 20 years experience as a professional educator Steve lectures on a variety of different topics, drawing on his broad knowledge and life experiences. Professional videographers regularly rely on him to provide underwater footage for their productions, his exploits have featured in adventure magazine articles and he has contributed to several blockbuster movies, television shows and commercials.
Steve Traynor will be on the following tour dates: 9 to 27 March 2019
Tour Extensions
- Pre-Cruise Iguazu Falls Extension 5th to 9th March 2020
- Pre-Cruise Iguazu Falls Extension 6th to 10th March 2019
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5th to 9th March 2020
Before joining your fellow travellers in Buenos Aires, prior to the cruise, we are offering the opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls, considered by many to be the most dramatic waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires. Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires. Arrive this morning and transfer to the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay. Rooms will be available on arrival and the remainder of the day and evening are free to relax and explore independently.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls. After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Iguazu Falls. On arrival transfer to our hotel the Loi Suites (or similar) for our two night stay and this afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Brazilian side of the falls.
Day 4 Iguazu Falls. Enjoy a full day at the Iguazu Falls on a series of guided walks seeing the upper and lower circuits and also the Triple frontier the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Day 5 Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires. Return to the airport this morning and join our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (or similar) and join our fellow travellers (follow main itinerary from day 2).
Prices per person based on double occupancy
5th to 9th March 2020 Category Price Twin £1545 Single £1995 Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires and two nights hotel accommodation in Iguazu Falls at the Loi Suites with breakfast daily, lunch and dinner on days 3 & 4, guided tours at the Iguazu Falls, transfers, airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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6th to 10th March 2019
Before joining your fellow travellers in Buenos Aires prior to the cruise, we are offering the opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls, considered by many to be the most dramatic waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu Falls
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires. Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires. Arrive this morning and transfer to the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay. Rooms will be available on arrival and the remainder of the day and evening are free to relax and explore independently.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls. After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Iguazu Falls. On arrival transfer to our hotel the Loi Suites (or similar) for our two night stay and this afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Brazilian side of the falls.
Day 4 Iguazu Falls. Enjoy a full day at the Iguazu Falls on a series of guided walks seeing the upper and lower circuits and also the Triple frontier the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Day 5 Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires. Return to the airport this morning and join our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (or similar) and join our fellow travellers (follow main itinerary from day 2).
Prices per person based on double occupancy
6th to 10th March 2019 Category Price Twin £1295 Single £1595 Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires and two nights hotel accommodation in Iguazu Falls at the Loi Suites with breakfast daily, lunch and dinner on days 3 & 4, guided tours at the Iguazu Falls, transfers, airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Also of Interest
Ecuador’s Natural Wonders
An exploration of the Ecuadorian cloud forest combined with an island hopping adventure in the Galapagos aboard the Isabela II
Isabela II
Isabela II
Itinerary at a glance
- Quito, Ecuador
- Otavalo
- Mashpi Lodge
- Mashpi Lodge
- Quito
- Santa Cruz, Galapagos
- Santa Fe / South Plaza
- North Seymour / Las Bachas
- Bartolome Island / Sullivan Bay
- Baltra
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000