Caledonian Sky

The 1991-built MS Caledonian Sky cruise ship was constructed by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania SpA (in Marina di Carrara, Italy) and was launched under the name "Renaissance VI" for the shipowner Renaissance Cruises (founded in 1989 and defunct since 2001).

The vessel's current owner is APT (Australian Pacific Touring). Before 2023, she was chartered to Noble Caledonia. Since 2025, she has been chartered by APT's subsidiary Travelmarvel.

APT acquired the ship (then named "Hebridean Spirit") in May 2012 following a scheduled drydock refurbishment. In May 2023, APT announced that Caledonian Sky would be chartered by Captain Cook Cruises Fiji (replacing Reef Endeavour) starting in November 2023. In August 2023, it was announced that the vessel had been sold by Australian Pacific Holdings (APT's parent company) to Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, with revenue operations starting on November 11th (maiden voyage out of Nadi/Viti Levu Island, Fiji).

Before the Captain Cook charter (starting November 8th, 2023), the ship was renovated at Port Lautoka (Fiji). The refurbishment focused on routine maintenance and classification work and included the installation of Resco PMS/POS systems. This technology, provided by Rescompany Systems Ltd (based in Caringbah, NSW, Australia), enables real-time management of all shipboard passenger operations (including reservations, guest lists, cabin inventory, land tours, and itineraries) and generates various financial and auditing reports.

In late June 2024, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji announced the end of operations with Caledonian Sky. Her final voyage with the company—a 7-night/8-day "Ultimate Lau & Kadavu" itinerary—was scheduled to depart from Port Denarau on October 26th and conclude in Lautoka on November 2nd. The itinerary included visits to Makogai Island, Qilaqila/Vanua Balavu Island, Fulaga Island, Vuaqava Island, Totoya Island, and Nalotu/Kadavu Island.

In mid-July 2024, it was announced that the ship had been chartered to Travelmarvel. Her inaugural season (April–October 2025) is based in Europe and the Mediterranean, with 8- to 15-night itineraries visiting the Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean (Greek Islands), the Central Mediterranean/Adriatic, Spain’s Canary Islands, and Portugal’s Madeira Island. Travelmarvel Caledonian Sky’s homeports include ports in Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Spain.

The vessel (IMO number 8802870) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311061100) and registered in Nassau.

Her sister ships, built by the same shipyard, include Sea Spirit (Renaissance V), Hebridean Sky (Renaissance VII), and Island Sky (Renaissance VIII).

History - construction and ownership

The 114-passenger Caledonian Sky was built alongside Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky at the same Italian shipyard.

In June 2012, APT (Australian Pacific Touring) acquired a 51% stake in Noble Caledonia, becoming a shipowner. For guests, the vessel offers complimentary wine at lunch and dinner, an onboard guest speaker program, and in-depth shore excursions included in the fare.

In 2000, the vessel was acquired by Hebridean Island Cruises and renamed "Hebridean Spirit." In 2009, she was sold to a Middle Eastern buyer who intended to convert her into a private superyacht. A few years later, she was placed back on the market and acquired by Noble Caledonia for cruise operations.

In 1996, the Australia-based Captain Cook Cruises entered Fiji’s day-cruise market. The "Captain Cook Cruises Fiji" company was established through a joint venture between Captain Cook Cruises founder (the late Captain Trevor Haworth) and Semi Koroilavesau (then chairman of Fiji Ports Ltd). The first vessel to offer overnight accommodation on roundtrip cruises from Nadi's Port Denarau Marina was Reef Escape. With the addition of the larger Reef Endeavour, the company expanded to offer longer and more diverse itineraries.

In 2012, the Haworth family sold the Australian cruise operations but retained the Fijian operations.

Decks and Cabins

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 are accessible to passengers and feature accommodations. There are 57 staterooms with a maximum passenger capacity of 114. The smallest cabins measure 20 m² (215 ft²). All staterooms are oceanview and have en suite bathrooms. A total of 23 staterooms (in the Deluxe and Suite categories) offer private step-out balconies.

Most cabins are configured for double occupancy, though some lower-deck accommodations can host up to three guests (family cabins with a sofa bed). Standard amenities include an en suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), a sitting area with mirrored dressing table/writing desk and chair, TV, DVD/CD player, a spacious wardrobe, mini-bar, and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard facilities and amenities (dining and entertainment options)

With just over 100 guests and open seating, the onboard dining experience on Caledonian Sky is consistently high-quality. Where possible, chefs source local ingredients and fresh seafood from local fishermen. Pre-dinner canapés and afternoon tea are served daily in the Panorama Lounge or on the Lido Deck.

Guests may choose where and with whom to dine, whether at tables for 4 to 6 guests on the Lido Deck or inside the à la carte restaurant. Solo travelers are seated with other like-minded guests. Breakfast is buffet-style with made-to-order options, while lunch and dinner are 5-course à la carte meals. A selection of wines is included with lunch and dinner.

Refurbished in 2012, Caledonian Sky’s public areas include the spacious Panorama Lounge (with a piano and bar), a sun deck, enclosed panoramic viewing area, library, and a small gym.

The ship is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac boats (motorized rubber tenders) used for shore landings at remote locations. Some are equipped for scuba diving.

Itineraries

Caledonian Sky’s itinerary program for Captain Cook Cruises Fiji was based out of Port Denarau/Nadi (Viti Levu) and included voyages to the Yasawa, Mamanuca, and Lau island groups. New Captain Cook Cruises itineraries introduced in 2023-2024 with Caledonian Sky featured destinations in Tonga and Samoa.

Visited islands included Levuka, Makogai, Nananu-i-Ra, Vanua Levu (Savusavu, Labasa), Kia, Kioa, Rabi, Lavena, Taveuni, Wailagilala, Vanua Balavu, Lakemba, Oneata, Vuaqava, Fulaga, Kabara, Totoya, and Kadavu. Short Fiji Day Cruises visited the company’s private island, Tivua.

Captain Cook Cruises' itineraries aboard Caledonian Sky ranged from 3-night to 11-night voyages.

Before her 2023 acquisition by Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, the ship operated in the South Pacific, offering roundtrips from Papeete, Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Australian voyages out of Fremantle-Perth.