Voyages aboard MS ISLAND SKY – MS CALEDONIAN SKY – MS HEBRIDEAN SKY – MS CALEDONIAN SKY MS ISLAND SKY MS ISLAND SKY MS CALEDONIAN SKY MS HEBRIDEAN SKY 2016 - 2017 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] www.noble-caledonia.co.uk 2016-2017 Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Island Sky in the Seychelles CONTENTS Small Ship Cruising with a Difference 04-05 Your Life Onboard 06-07 Your Dining Onboard 08-09 MS CALEDONIAN SKY Your Space Onboard 10-11 Your Suite Onboard 12-13 MS ISLAND SKY Your Space Onboard 14-15 Your Suite Onboard 16-17 MS HEBRIDEAN SKY Introducing Our New Addition to the Fleet 18-19 Deck Plans 20-22 Exploring Ashore & Expedition Cruising 24-25 Your Onboard Team 26-27 Cruise Calendar & Expedition Logs 28-29 The Voyages – 2016 & 2017 30-113 2 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Dear Traveller I trust you will enjoy looking through the pages of our first ever brochure that includes our three ships, the MS Island Sky, the MS Caledonian Sky and new for 2016, the MS Hebridean Sky which will be launched in May 2016 after a multi-million pound refurbishment. The purchase of our third vessel has been made possible due to the remarkable faithful following of our ‘Sky’ vessels on which it is not uncommon to have cruises with 80% of past travellers onboard. None of us in the company take this strong following for granted and each year we strive to make the experience onboard even better. We trust the MS Hebridean Sky will have the same appeal as her sisters and this new addition to our fleet has enabled us to broaden our range of itineraries even further. All three of our ships were built in the same yard at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. However, equally as important as the facilities are the staff onboard whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Our crew not only offer an excellent service, they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for. Another hugely important factor is our expedition team and guest speakers, many of whom have been with us since our early days. They are in control of the day to day programme and shore visits, doing their utmost to make every day special. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and warmth make every trip a unique event. Our well informed and well travelled London based staff have created a captivating and diverse collection of journeys for 2016 and 2017. No other operator in the world of small ship cruising offers such a range of travel experiences. Amongst these pages you will not find a seemingly endless series of similar itineraries, but many one-off voyages that can transport you to the most interesting and often little known places where only small ships can venture including two opportunities to visit the far Arctic and the amazing Spitsbergen archipelago aboard the MS Hebridean Sky. Each year our horizons widen and when browsing through this brochure you will find ample evidence of why Noble Caledonia is the world’s leading small ship cruising expert. Whether you join one of the trips close to home in the Hebrides or in far flung Papua New Guinea you will be assured of a warm welcome onboard and a team of knowledgeable expedition staff and guest speakers that will make your journey an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As we approach our 25th anniversary we look forward to another twenty five years of offering genuine travellers the opportunity to undertake voyages to every corner of the world aboard our unique vessels. Today, we read of even larger vessels being built that accommodate up to 6000 passengers. We are happy to be at the opposite end of the spectrum with just over 100 travellers which allows us to offer something very different and rewarding to all those interested in a real travel experience. We are immensely proud of our three fine vessels and hope to see you soon aboard the MS Hebridean Sky or either of her sister vessels where obviously, the sky is not the limit. Tim Cochrane Managing Director 3 Small Ships – Big Experiences There was a time, not so long ago when all cruises were much the same. However, the last twenty years or so has witnessed an immense and quick evolution and today we are all spoilt for choice. Ships of all different sizes and styles make the selection of a cruise a somewhat hit and miss affair, and whilst some companies attempt to please everybody, we prefer to place our future in the realm of small ships. Our Fleet – Three of the finest small ships in the world Noble Caledonia is very fortunate to have the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky as our flag ships and joining them in 2016 is the MS Hebridean Sky. These ex-Renaissance Cruises sister vessels accommodate just 114 to 118 guests and are not only three of the most comfortable and well equipped small ships in the world, but also three of the friendliest and most efficiently run. Our crews of just over 70, many of whom have been with us for many years, are dedicated to offering the best possible experience. It is this gentle, kind and efficient atmosphere onboard that makes our vessels so popular. 4 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk On Deck, Caledonian Sky How important is the itinerary to you? In all the development over the past couple of decades the priority that has changed most is the itinerary. This used to be the most significant element and deciding factor for many. However, the advent of the big ship has led to the downgrading of this important part of the cruise, mainly because large ships can only dock in large ports with all the supporting infrastructure necessary to service the vessel, and the onshore requirements of the passengers. For us, the itinerary is still paramount. Avoiding commercialism in today’s modern world is becoming increasingly tricky, particularly when selecting a holiday with many so-called ‘off the beaten track’ destinations having been discovered as mainstream tourism becomes the norm for countries around the world. However, with small ships Small Ship Cruising – What’s the Difference? as our base we can still seek out and visit the remote ports which are not For those contemplating a cruise, there is the choice of travelling on one of the easily accessible by any other means. Small ships have the freedom of the vast new 4000 plus passenger vessels which offer every conceivable facility and seas and can come alongside in small docks or drop anchor in any suitable diversion or you can opt for a journey aboard one of our small ships which offer spot. After all, you do not go on holiday to be part of the all engulfing masses good food and knowledgeable staff who make your cruise not only a holiday, which descend on a town when a number of large ships dock at the same but an educational voyage of discovery. Unlike most passenger cruise ships, time. Arriving at a port for the first time should be an invigorating experience our vessels are constantly on the move from region to region and continent to and can certainly be so when the right place is chosen and your arrival is on a continent, small ships with big hearts which travel to every corner of the world, small ship. no matter how remote or seemingly inaccessible. Our All Inclusive Policy In many ways the virtues of small ship cruising are best expressed by detailing Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Island Sky, MS Caledonian what you will not find onboard. For instance, there will be no organised Sky and the MS Hebridean Sky, you do not need to worry about tipping entertainment and no black tie events. What there will be is a warm and peaceful staff as we have included this in your holiday price. In addition we tip all our atmosphere in which you can learn more about the wonders of nature, culture guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always and ancient civilisations in the company of like-minded people in comfortable having to remember to have some small change with you. We also include surroundings and with a high level of service. shore excursions and drinks with meals onboard. +44 (0)20 7752 0000 5 Your Life Onboard If large resort-style vessels accommodating many more akin to a private yacht or country hotel in which you can learn more thousands of passengers are your ideal, then our ships about the wonders of nature, culture and ancient civilisations in the company are not for you as you will not find endless entertainment, of like-minded people. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, Guest round the clock buffets and the people management Speakers and informative port briefings from our Expedition Leader or which is so much a part of today’s big ship onboard style. Cruise Director and of course good food, all contribute to make any voyage However, if like us you prefer a more peaceful life at sea aboard these wonderful vessels a memorable and joyful experience.