Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky offers a boutique experience tailored to travellers who prefer intimate, high-quality cruising. This small ship, accommodating up to 116 passengers, blends luxurious design with a yacht-like atmosphere. With its welcoming reception areas, refined dining options, educational entertainment, spacious accommodations, and attentive hospitality, Island Sky delivers a holiday that balances relaxation and exploration.
Guests aboard Island Sky can anticipate a holiday focused on relaxation and enrichment. Expect days filled with Zodiac excursions to remote shores, informative talks in the lounge, or quiet moments in the library or observation deck. Dining is leisurely, with open-seating meals fostering social connections, and evenings feature drinks with live piano music or wildlife spotting. The ship’s small size and 13-foot draft allow access to unique coastal destinations. The yacht-like atmosphere prioritises peace over crowded entertainment, with complimentary wine at meals and all-inclusive shore excursions adding value. English is the primary language, though the international guest mix adds diversity.
The guest experience on Island Sky is defined by its intimate, yacht-like ambiance and high-quality service. Passengers appreciate the spacious suites, particularly those with balconies, and the attentive crew, though some note minor wear in public areas like carpets. The ship’s ice-strengthened hull and retractable stabilisers ensure smooth transits, enhancing comfort in remote regions. Guests enjoy the balance of guided excursions and onboard relaxation, with the library and Lido Deck offering serene spaces. The all-suite design and included excursions create a premium feel, with 98% of reviewers praising the expedition team’s expertise. The small passenger count fosters a sense of community among like-minded travellers.
Reception Areas: A Refined Welcome
The reception area, located in the main lounge on the Columbus Deck, greets guests with a spacious, elegant design featuring wood panelling and brass accents. The space is functional and inviting, with a central desk staffed by multilingual crew members ready to assist with bookings, queries, or excursion planning. Adjacent, the Club Lounge offers a 24-hour tea and coffee station, comfortable armchairs, and panoramic windows for sea views. The area serves as a social hub, with occasional piano performances creating a warm atmosphere. A small onboard shop provides essentials and souvenirs.
Dining: Quality and Leisurely
Island Sky’s dining experience centres on a single, elegant restaurant on Deck 2, included in the fare. The restaurant offers open-seating breakfast and lunch buffets with dishes like fresh salads and grilled meats, and à la carte dinners with house wines included. Menus feature international and regional flavours, with guest reviews praising the quality and variety, particularly for vegetarian and special diets accommodated with advance notice. Al fresco dining is available on the Lido Deck’s outdoor area in good weather, offering a relaxed setting for meals. The Club Lounge provides complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the day, with the option for light bites at the bar.
Entertainment: Enrichment and Relaxation
The entertainment programme on Island Sky focuses on education and conviviality rather than traditional performances. The main lounge on the Columbus Deck hosts daily briefings and talks by guest speakers, covering topics like history, wildlife, and culture, with high-quality presentation equipment. There are no organised deck games or shows, fostering a yacht-like atmosphere. Evening entertainment includes occasional piano music in the Club Lounge or bar, creating a relaxed setting for drinks and conversation. The library, stocked with reference books and games, offers a quiet retreat, while the top-deck observation area is ideal for wildlife spotting. A fleet of Zodiacs enables shore excursions, with stand-up paddleboards and scuba diving equipment available for a fee.
Accommodation: Spacious and Luxurious
Island Sky’s 57 suites, spread across five decks, range from 20-square-metre Standard Suites with portholes to the 30-square-metre Island Suite with a large balcony. All feature outside views, en-suite bathrooms with marble-topped vanities and walk-in showers, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, telephones, safes, air conditioning, and Noble Isle toiletries. Twenty-three suites, including Deluxe and Owner’s Balcony Suites, offer private balconies or tinted sliding glass doors for enhanced views. The Island Suite includes a complimentary minibar and laundry service. Beds can be configured as twin or double, and dressing gowns, slippers, and refillable water bottles are provided. A 2017 refurbishment updated furnishings, ensuring modern comfort.
Hospitality: Personalised and Attentive
The crew of approximately 70 delivers high-quality, personalised service, fostering a familial atmosphere. Cabin stewards provide daily cleaning and turndown, with complimentary room service available. Restaurant and bar staff cater to guest preferences, with guest reviews praising their warmth and attentiveness. The expedition team, including naturalists and historians, offers expert guidance during shore excursions and onboard talks, with a high crew-to-passenger ratio ensuring individual attention. A small hair salon and onboard doctor provide additional services for a fee. Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi is available in suites and public areas, though connectivity varies in remote regions. Gratuities are not included but can be adjusted at Guest Services.
Standout Features
Island Sky’s standout features include its small size and ice-strengthened hull, enabling access to remote ports and islands. The all-suite design, with 23 private balconies, ensures every guest enjoys ocean views. The retractable stabilisers reduce roll by 80%, enhancing comfort. The fleet of Zodiacs facilitates seamless shore excursions, with optional kayaking and scuba diving for added adventure. Al fresco dining on the Lido Deck and the renovated BBQ deck with outdoor heating offer unique dining experiences. The lecture programme, led by expert naturalists, enriches exploration, while the open bridge policy allows guests to observe navigation. The Citizen Science Programme encourages participation in environmental research, adding a unique educational touch.
