Deckplan
Madagascar & Beyond
Discover the wonders of Aldabra & Madagascar aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
- 2 January 2021
"This itinerary is a veritable feast of beauty and combines the natural world with cultural discovery. Witness the bounty of the islands, the wildlife from giant tortoises of Aldabra to the lemurs of Madagascar and an amazingly prolific birdlife."
Start the New Year with an expedition aboard the MS Caledonian Sky that combines discovering beautiful, tropical islands, some of which are a mere dot in the Indian Ocean with the natural wonders of Madagascar. Our voyage begins with five days in the Seychelles including the magnificent Aldabra islands before we sail to the world’s ‘eighth continent’.
The term ‘unique’ is often an overused description in the travel world but certainly applies to the island of Madagascar. The animals, plants, landscapes and people that make up this thousand mile long island are unlike anywhere else in the world. This extraordinary country long remained obscure as a destination and is still relatively unknown amongst even the most serious of travellers. There is minimal infrastructure in many parts of the island and for those wishing to explore the island in some depth, doing so by small ship, especially one as wellsuited as the MS Caledonian Sky is far more preferable than by any other means. After a day exploring, often along untarred roads with basic transportation you can return to the comfort of the MS Caledonian Sky to recharge before the next adventure. With the vessel’s fleet of Zodiacs for forays ashore, allowing access to the wonderful places denied to larger ships and, accompanied by our onboard experts you can learn and enjoy encounters with fabulous endemic wildlife in this immensely rich and timeless corner of the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the breathtaking scenery, the region abounds with strange and wonderful plants and trees, countless varieties of birds and abundant wildlife including the iconic lemur. The long separation from the African mainland has given rise to its amazing number of endemic species of flora and fauna and its people are also unique having descended from Malay - Polynesian mariners who sailed from South East Asia between 1500 to 2000 years ago. Later arrivals included slaves from Africa, traders from Arabia, India and Portugal and more latterly French colonials.
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…
During an expedition, each day holds something new and below is an extract from a log of one of our most recent expeditions in Madagascar which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Madagascan adventure.
Mahajanga & Ankarantsafika National Park, Madagascar: No such thing as a Sunday lie-in this morning as we were up bright eyed and bushytailed in readiness for an exciting day. The sea was a millpond. Large fleets of prawn trawlers lined the quay side, while traditional ‘dhows’ passed us on their way out to sea. Women in traditional dress greeted us on the slipway and our transport waited at the end of a strip of market stall selling local crafts. The convoy of minibuses departed Mahajanga driving through the busy streets before heading out in the countryside. Savannah like landscape could be seen for miles on either side of the tarmac road. The savannah gave way to large swathes of rice paddies. Local rice farmers were seen harvesting the rice, children waved from the road side, as we passed through beautiful villages. We arrived at the Ankarantsafika National Park, a mere two hours after leaving the dock. Immediately after arriving, we saw a troop of brown lemur and the gorgeous Coquerel’s sifaka expertly negotiating their way through the canopy. Already we could see this was a special place and we hadn’t even left the car park! We were on the lookout for creatures great and small, and we found them. Our guides took us on prepared trails through the dry forest, spotting a variety of bird species, reptiles, and of course, lemur. Highlights included an eye-height view of a paradise fly-catcher incubating on a nest; a female Milne- Edwards sportive lemur with her juvenile resting on a tree trunk, iguanas basking in a variety of different body positions in spots of sunlight and, the fantastic spot of the Madagascan fish eagle. Combined we saw 51 different species of bird and reptile, and five species of lemur. What an incredible day! Lunch was a tasty BBQ and local snacks, accompanied by much required cool drinks. Even lunch didn’t distract from the wildlife viewing as there was a group of sifaka that could be seen clearly from the table, sleeping through the heat of the day. Post-lunch was flexible and some of us couldn’t resist another opportunity to walk around the forest, while others were lucky to be shown the Durrell conservation project.
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Charitable Trust Project
It is our vision to use the Noble Caledonia framework to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the areas we work and visit. To this end, in 2013 we established the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust (NCCT): Registered Charity No. 1153281.Noble Caledonia Ltd cover the costs of administering the NCCT so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the beneficiaries. Money is raised from a percentage of Noble Caledonia’s profits and through fundraising by staff and donations from our travellers and business partners.
Project Sekoly Madagascar
In Madagascar’s Anosy region half of 6-10-year-olds have never attended school, and a staggering 97% of the population do not have access to basic sanitation. Household education levels are shown to be linked to poverty rates, therefore education is crucial to allowing vulnerable children and the wider communities to escape the cycle of poverty.
The NCCT are supporting Project Sekoly, run by SEED Madagascar, which will provide Ranomafana Lycée with three fully-furnished classrooms, an office and two three-cubicle latrine blocks. The school grounds will be connected to a piped water connection with three taps, providing students and teachers access to running water.
It is anticipated that students will be able to attend full days of school in hygienic grounds and understand the importance of hygiene and sanitation, which will reduce health problems. Access to education increases child safety and the potential for financial stability in future.
The project is already underway with £11,545 of the £34,455 budget still needing to be raised to achieve completion, projected to take 5-7 months. The NCCT have awarded a grant of £6,000 and hoping to raise the remainder from donations.
For more information visit SEED Madagascar
Donating
If you would like to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE. If you are eligible for gift aid you can increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you by using our Gift Aid Form. Or
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 Mahe, Seychelles.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 Mahe.
Arrive this morning and transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky moored in Victoria. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening to Praslin and anchor overnight.
Day 3 Praslin & Grande Soeur.
This morning we will use the Zodiacs to land on Praslin to explore the ‘Vallee de Mai’, the last remnant of the original high canopied Seychelles palm forest and home to the coco de mer. We will walk its paths looking out for the rare black parrot and enjoying its natural beauty. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail the short distance to Grande Soeur an idyllic uninhabited island. Spend the afternoon walking the islands trails which link the island's white sand beaches and maybe catch sight of some of the islands giant Aldabra tortoises, enjoy a swim or join our first snorkelling opportunity in the turquoise waters.
Day 4 Alphonse Islands.
There are three islands in the Alphonse group which is located directly south of the Amirantes. As we approach the islands over lunch you will understand why they are regarded by many to be the most beautiful of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago. On the main island the circular lagoon offers good snorkelling and there are several tracks across the island to enjoy island walks. Spend the afternoon exploring before returning to the ship for dinner.
Day 5 At Sea.
Take the chance to sit on deck or join a lecture as we sail to the Outer Seychelles.
Days 6 & 7 Aldabra Islands.
We have two days at the Aldabra group of islands. Our itinerary will be in the hands of our Expedition Leader and Captain who will monitor the local conditions to ensure we maximise our time here. Whilst our itinerary is flexible, we will hope to reach Cosmoledo where a huge ring of twelve islands circle a lagoon. Many of the atolls are still to be surveyed and we will explore some of them by Zodiac. This is an important bird area with all three species of booby found in the Seychelles including the last breeding site for the brown booby. Also spot sooty terns and great frigate birds. We will also spend time on Aldabra, the island referred to by Sir Julian Huxley as “One of nature’s treasures and should belong to the whole world”. Aldabra is unique and every time we call at what is believed to be the world’s largest atoll we find something new of interest. Sightings have been made of the extremely rare white throated rail and the atoll is also home to the world’s second largest colony of frigate birds and to the largest crab, the coconut crab. Whilst exploring by Zodiac it is difficult to know in which direction to look. The clear blue seas abound with life, the skies are alive with varied birdlife and ashore giant land tortoises forage as they have done for millions of years. We hope to explore Picard Island with a short walk to see some of the thousands of tortoises and numerous robber crabs or swim in the lagoon, a vast 17 mile stretch of shallow clear water. From our Zodiacs we can watch the ever-changing undersea world and snorkel in colourful coral waters.
Day 8 Diego Suarez, Madagascar.
This morning we arrive in Madagascar at Diego Suarez, a stunning natural harbour with a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants including Creoles, Indians, Chinese, Comorans and Arabs. Using our Zodiacs to come ashore, we will take a city tour visiting the Commonwealth Cemetery and Place Joffre before visiting the Malagasy Rain Forest at the Mount Amber National Park. Dividing into short and long walk parties we will go in search of lemurs and chameleons as we explore the rain forest.
Day 9 Nosy Hara.
Sail overnight over the northern tip of Madagascar where strangely shaped limestone islets dot the aquamarine-coloured sea. The expedition team will decide on the most suitable island for landing by Zodiac, such as Nosy Hara, with its abundant birdlife and a great place to swim off the beach. We will explore the island on foot, walking through dense woodland and observing the unusual vegetation. Alternatively join a Zodiac cruise around the islands and a chance to snorkel over the coral.
Day 10 Nosy Tanikely.
We arrive this morning at the Nosy Tanikely Island Marine Reserve, an uninhabited island which offers snorkelling opportunities and wonderful beaches. We land by Zodiacs and will take the chance to either swim in the clear waters or snorkel over the corals keeping an eye out for reef fish, turtles and morays. Alternatively our naturalists will lead guided walks on the island where we may see the resident lemurs, fruit bats and hermit crabs and enjoy fantastic views from the lighthouse on the island’s highest point. Return to the ship for lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon at sea.
Day 11 Mahajanga.
Today the MS Caledonian Sky anchors off Mahajanga, a port in northwest Madagascar situated on the Betsiboka River which is our base for a full day excursion to Ankarafantsika National Park. This deciduous forest is a haven for birds, lemurs and reptiles and on a choice of walks, we will explore with our guides. Eight species of lemur have been observed here including the famous Microcebus, the smallest primate in the world. Meanwhile over 120 species of birds nest here and we will keep an eye out for the Madagascan fish eagle and banded kestrel whilst the 44 species of reptile include chameleon, turtles and crocodiles that live in Lake Ravelobe. We will enjoy lunch in the park and in the afternoon there will be options to join further walks, watch for birdlife at the nearby lake or we have requested permission to visit the Durrell breeding programme which was established at Ampijora and is dedicated to protecting the ploughshare tortoise, one of the most threatened breeds in the world.
Day 12 At Sea.
Our lecture programme continues as we continue our journey around the Madagascan coast.
Day 13 Morondava.
From our anchorage off the town of Morondava, we will use the Zodiacs to land on the local beach. From here there will be a choice of excursions to explore the local region. A half day morning tour will visit the Avenue de Baobabs. Of the eight baobab species in the world, six are endemic to Madagascar and here we will see the Adansonia grandidieri species with a row of 20 to 25 trees which border the gravel road. We will learn about the trees and their spiritual significance before returning to Morondava and exploring the local market. Alternatively, join a full day excursion to Kirindy Forest. Situated approximately a two hour drive from Morondava, we will pass the Avenue de Baobabs as we travel north. Kirindy is a 10,000 hectare, dry deciduous forest, one of the most endangered in the world where the flora and fauna includes many endemic species. Here we find three species of baobab, many birds and reptiles including snakes, tortoises and lizards. Eight species of lemur reside here including the pale form marked lemur.
Days 14 Tulear.
Our last call in Madagascar will be Tulear on the southwest coast. Arriving at lunchtime we spend the afternoon at the Antsokay Arboretum which is entirely devoted to the conservation of the plants from the south west of Madagascar and, after more than 30 years of hard work, offers a densely kept selection of flora presenting a typical sub-arid thicket with baobab trees towering over the smaller plants. We will see the four hectare botanical garden which comprises over 900 species of plants of which 90% are endemic to the region.
Day 15 Tulear.
After breakfast we drive to the Reniala Private Reserve, a small area of just 60 hectares but containing a spiny forest which is unique to south eastern Madagascar. The park is home to 200 plant species including baobabs as well as being a haven for birders with sightings of paradise flycatchers, Madagascar hoopoe and Madagascar crested drongo. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at sea as we head to the African mainland.
Day 16 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea as we cross the Mozambique Channel.
Day 17 Portuguese Island, Mozambique.
Situated in Maputo Bay, we anchor offshore and spend the afternoon at subtropical Portuguese Island. This uninhabited island can be explored on a nature walk with our naturalists looking for some of the resident bird life. Alternatively, simply spend your time relaxing on the beach. This evening we will sail to Maputo where we moor overnight.
Day 18 Maputo to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 19 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 2 to 20 January 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Castle Deck Standard Suite | £10995 | £10495 |
| Caledonian Deck Superior Suite | £11195 | £10695 |
| Promenade Deck Premium Suite | £11395 | £10895 |
| Bridge Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £12395 | £11895 |
| Promenade Deck Premium Balcony Suite | £12695 | £12195 |
| Promenade Deck Owner's Corner Suite | £13895 | £13395 |
| Castle Deck Standard for sole use | £13195 | £12695 |
| Caledonian Deck Superior for sole use | £13495 | £12995 |
Tour Reference Code: SCCSK020121
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 16 nights aboard the MS Caledonian Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner on board • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, visas.
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.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 114
Length: 90.60 metres
Width: 15.30 metres
Registered: Bahamas
Crew/Staff: 70
Year built: 1991
Year refurbished: 2018
Language: English
Gross Tonnage: 4200 tonnes
Net Tonnage: 1262 tonnesADAPTORS
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.
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone
If you wish to contact the ship, please call +1 954 6726835. 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@cs.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 or credits 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 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 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. 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 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
When 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 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 a 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.
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.
MINIBAR
For your convenience a minibar 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 minibar on a daily basis and replenish consumed items. The minibar 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 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 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 the 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.
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 Reception and a small number of DVDs are available to borrow. DVDs are configured to Region 2.
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 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 and water carafes. These 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 and carafes can be filled from the tap – the tap water is safe to drink – or from the water station in The Caledonian Lounge. Alternatively your cabin steward can refill your carafe daily. Should you prefer to use plastic bottled water then please just let your cabin steward know.
ZODIAC OR LOCAL BOATS TO TENDER ASHORE
Some destinations may require the use of the ship’s Zodiacs or local tender boats to go ashore. Guests will be advised where and when to meet the Zodiac or local tender boat to go ashore. Please ensure that your hands are free at all times and accept the assistance given by the crew on board the MS 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.
V.4 December 2019
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Cabin Plan
Cabin Plans
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Deck plans
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Deckplan
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Video Library
What To Expect…
During an expedition, each day holds something new and below is an extract from a log of one of our most recent expeditions in Madagascar which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Madagascan adventure.
Mahajanga & Ankarantsafika National Park, Madagascar: No such thing as a Sunday lie-in this morning as we were up bright eyed and bushytailed in readiness for an exciting day. The sea was a millpond. Large fleets of prawn trawlers lined the quay side, while traditional ‘dhows’ passed us on their way out to sea. Women in traditional dress greeted us on the slipway and our transport waited at the end of a strip of market stall selling local crafts. The convoy of minibuses departed Mahajanga driving through the busy streets before heading out in the countryside. Savannah like landscape could be seen for miles on either side of the tarmac road. The savannah gave way to large swathes of rice paddies. Local rice farmers were seen harvesting the rice, children waved from the road side, as we passed through beautiful villages. We arrived at the Ankarantsafika National Park, a mere two hours after leaving the dock. Immediately after arriving, we saw a troop of brown lemur and the gorgeous Coquerel’s sifaka expertly negotiating their way through the canopy. Already we could see this was a special place and we hadn’t even left the car park! We were on the lookout for creatures great and small, and we found them. Our guides took us on prepared trails through the dry forest, spotting a variety of bird species, reptiles, and of course, lemur. Highlights included an eye-height view of a paradise fly-catcher incubating on a nest; a female Milne- Edwards sportive lemur with her juvenile resting on a tree trunk, iguanas basking in a variety of different body positions in spots of sunlight and, the fantastic spot of the Madagascan fish eagle. Combined we saw 51 different species of bird and reptile, and five species of lemur. What an incredible day! Lunch was a tasty BBQ and local snacks, accompanied by much required cool drinks. Even lunch didn’t distract from the wildlife viewing as there was a group of sifaka that could be seen clearly from the table, sleeping through the heat of the day. Post-lunch was flexible and some of us couldn’t resist another opportunity to walk around the forest, while others were lucky to be shown the Durrell conservation project.
Travelling with You
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Kristy King
From New Zealand, Kristy grew up on a dairy farm which is where her love of animals and the outdoors was born. Educated at Waikato University with a BSc Biological and Psychological Sciences, she specialized in the study of animal behaviour. Following her graduation, she worked as a laboratory technician before packing her bags and setting off to Canada for a year which only boosted her desire to travel more. After time spent abroad she returned to New Zealand to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Science. Also a qualified Dive Instructor. A career change saw her move from New Zealand to Australia to work in tourism education and expedition travel. Kristy has spent the last 6 years working on various expedition ships in various parts of the world and is passionate about the marine environment and natural biodiversity. She is eager to increase everyone’s understanding of the natural environment, and in particular, to promote and encourage marine conservation. She also beyond curious when it comes to culture and is often found speaking with locals in remote parts of the world to get a better understanding of their way of life. When Kristy is not working as an on-board Naturalist and Expedition team member, she spends her time volunteering on various conservation projects, both at home and abroad. As well as, travelling as much as possible, diving and exploring all that nature has to offer.
Kristy King will be on the following tour dates: 2 to 20 January 2021 -
Rebecca Hodgkiss
Becky is a conservation biologist who was born in the UK but spent her childhood on the move. She grew up in the USA, Norway, Indonesia and Singapore; this exposure to different cultures and wildlife instilled in her a love of travel, exploring and nature. After graduating with an MSc in Animal Behaviour, she returned to SE Asia to work as a Field Biologist in Malaysia. Becky then moved to Seychelles and spent four years coordinating projects on sea turtles, giant tortoises, seabirds and endemic passerines, and was part of a team who set up a lemon shark tagging project. As Conservation Manager for a private island reserve, she was responsible for monitoring populations of terns, tropicbirds and the Seychelles magpie robin (once one of the rarest birds in the world!). Her most recent posting was on the RSPB’s Little Tern Recovery Project on the Norfolk coast. She is a PADI/SSI Divemaster and keen amateur wildlife photographer and holds a ringing permit with the South African Bird Ringing Unit. Her multi-national upbringing has given her itchy feet for life, and what better way to satisfy this urge to explore the world, whilst sharing her passion for wildlife and conservation, than on expedition cruises!
Rebecca Hodgkiss will be on the following tour dates: 2 to 20 January 2021 -
James McClelland
James is a British Conservation Biologist who was bitten by the travel bug whilst carrying out research on coral reef fish for his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science. He has gone on to conduct and lead ecological fieldwork programmes from the UK to Seychelles and South-East Asia. Most recently, James co-managed the conservation programme for a private nature reserve, working with important populations of nesting Hawksbill sea turtles, many species of seabird and the endangered Seychelles Magpie Robin. He is currently completing a master’s degree studying lemon shark genetics and holds a bird ringing permit under the South African Ringing Unit. James spent (possibly) too much of his childhood, armed with a net and a bucket, hunting down anything that moved in every available pond, stream or rock-pool he could find. He is never happier than when he is on, in, under or by water, and in addition to his scientific work he is also an experienced Yacht master, Powerboat skipper and Divemaster.
James McClelland will be on the following tour dates: 2 to 20 January 2021 -
Jake Morrison
Jake has always loved life on the water; he began driving boats when he was 5, landed his first job at a marina aged 13, and at 16 fulfilled his childhood dream-job of driving the water taxi at his family’s cottage in Canada. Jake’s first time leaving North America was in University when he participated in an exchange at Copenhagen Business School; over the next 2 years he travelled to all seven continents. Working in expedition travel since 2010, Jake enjoys sharing his passion for exploring with people from across the planet. He likes to keep busy and has logged over 150 hours flying planes as a private pilot, is a certified sailboat skipper and PADI open water diver and enjoys finding new places to hit the seas and the skies on his kiteboard.
Jake Morrison will be on the following tour dates: 2 to 20 January 2021
Charitable Trust Project
It is our vision to use the Noble Caledonia framework to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the areas we work and visit. To this end, in 2013 we established the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust (NCCT): Registered Charity No. 1153281.
Noble Caledonia Ltd cover the costs of administering the NCCT so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the beneficiaries. Money is raised from a percentage of Noble Caledonia’s profits and through fundraising by staff and donations from our travellers and business partners.
Project Sekoly Madagascar
In Madagascar’s Anosy region half of 6-10-year-olds have never attended school, and a staggering 97% of the population do not have access to basic sanitation. Household education levels are shown to be linked to poverty rates, therefore education is crucial to allowing vulnerable children and the wider communities to escape the cycle of poverty.
The NCCT are supporting Project Sekoly, run by SEED Madagascar, which will provide Ranomafana Lycée with three fully-furnished classrooms, an office and two three-cubicle latrine blocks. The school grounds will be connected to a piped water connection with three taps, providing students and teachers access to running water.
It is anticipated that students will be able to attend full days of school in hygienic grounds and understand the importance of hygiene and sanitation, which will reduce health problems. Access to education increases child safety and the potential for financial stability in future.
The project is already underway with £11,545 of the £34,455 budget still needing to be raised to achieve completion, projected to take 5-7 months. The NCCT have awarded a grant of £6,000 and hoping to raise the remainder from donations.
For more information visit SEED Madagascar
Donating
If you would like to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE. If you are eligible for gift aid you can increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you by using our Gift Aid Form. Or
Tour Extensions
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If you would like to spend some time in the Seychelles before embarking the MS Caledonian Sky we are offering a four night pre-cruise extension staying at The Savoy Resort & Spa which is located on Beau Vallon, the most popular beach on the island of Mahe.
Birdlife, Mahe
The Itinerary
The Itineray
Day 1 London to Mahe, Seychelles.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Days 2 to 5 Mahe.
Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel for a four night stay. Your time is free to enjoy the hotel facilities, relax on the beach or explore independently with a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner included on Day 3.
Day 6 Mahe.
Your fellow travellers arrive today and we follow the main itinerary from Day 2.
Prices per person based on double occupancy
29 December 2020 to 3 January 2021 Category Price Twin £1195 Single £1795 -
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After your expedition we are offering the opportunity to explore the wildlife of the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest game reserve.
Lion, Kruger National Park
The Itinerary
Day 1 Maputo to Kruger National Park, South Africa.
After breakfast we will take a three hour coach journey to the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest game reserve. This is the land of baobabs, fever trees, knob thorns, marula and mopane trees underneath which lurk the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino), the Little Five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle), the birding Big Six (ground hornbill, kori bustard, lappetfaced vulture, martial eagle, pel’s fishing owl and saddle-bill stork) and more species of mammals than in any other African Game Reserve. We will transfer to the Shishangeni Private Lodge where we enjoy lunch before embarking on our first game drive this afternoon. Return to the lodge for dinner this evening.
Day 2 Kruger National Park.
Hot and cold beverages will be waiting for you after your early morning wake up call. Enjoy a morning game drive showcasing the wildlife and nature of the southern region of Kruger National Park, followed by breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, embark on an optional morning bush walk, followed by free time and a leisurely lunch. Later this afternoon you can enjoy another game drive before a traditional boma dinner at the Lodge.
Day 3 Kruger National Park to London.
After another dawn game drive we will enjoy breakfast and check out of the lodge before transferring to the airport for our internal flight to Johannesburg. Connect here with our onward flight to London.
Day 4 London.
Arrive this morning.
Prices per person based on double occupancy
19 to 22 January 2021 Category Price Twin £1445 Single £1695 Price Includes: Two nights accommodation at the Shishangeni Private Lodge on a full board basis, game drives, flight between Kruger and Johannesburg, gratuities, transfers, taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, visas.
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Also of Interest
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Itinerary at a glance
- Mauritius
- Reunion
- Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar
- Nosy Mangabe & Masoala National Park
- Diego Suarez
- Nosy Hara
- Nosy Tanikely
- Mahajanga
- Morondava
- Tulear
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£9495
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30 September 2020
Passage through the Seychelles
Island Hopping in the beautiful Seychelles aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON
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Itinerary at a glance
- Dar es Salaam / Aldabra Islands / Farquhar Islands / Alphonse Islands/ Aride /Curieuse / Praslin / La Digue / Mahe
12 nights
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£8995
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8 November 2020
Splendours of the Seychelles
An island hopping expedition cruise through the Seychelles aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON
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Itinerary at a glance
- Mahe / Praslin /Grande Soeur / Amirante / Farquhar Islands /Aldabra / Alphonse Island / Aride /Curieuse
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£6495
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18 November 2020
Marvels of Madagascar - 2021
Spend Christmas aboard the MS Caledonian Sky discovering the wonders of Madagascar
SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE £500 PER PERSON
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Itinerary at a glance
- Mauritius / Port Louis / Port Est / Nosy Mangabe / Masoala National Park / Diego Suarez / Nosy Hara / Nosy Tanikely / Mahajanga / Morondova / Tulear / Johannesburg
15 nights
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£8995
Next Departure
16 December 2021
Wonders of Madagascar & the Seychelles
Celebrate New Year discovering the wonders of the Indian Ocean aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £300 PER PERSON
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Itinerary at a glance
- Johannesburg / Tulear / Andavadoaka / Morondava / Mahajanga / Nosy Tanikely / Nosy Hara / Diego Suarez / Farquhar / Aldabra / Alphonse Island / Amirante Islands / Aride /Grande Soeur / Mahe
18 nights
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£10895
Next Departure
28 December 2021
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000