Clydebuilt MS Dark Island

The 2028-built MS Dark Island cruise ship is a newbuild residential vessel operated by the UK/Scottish company Clydebuilt Ltd.

The vessel (IMO number TBA) is currently under construction, with inauguration planned for Q1 2028 (initially scheduled for Q4 2025). Its flag-state/registry port is yet to be announced.

Similar "residence cruise ship" concepts include The World (ResidenSea), Utopia (Utopia Residences), Narrative (Storylines Residences), and Njord (Ocean Residences).

History - Construction and Ownership

The "Dark Island Cruise Ship" project was officially announced on November 17, 2021, by Tommy McGinn (Managing Director of Clydebuilt Ltd, born 1958). On the same day, all apartments were opened for sale, with prices ranging from GBP 8 million (EUR ~9.5M / USD 10.7M) to GBP 110 million (~EUR 130.6M / USD 146.6M). Pricing is based on suite location and floor size (deck number and position—forward, midship, or aft).

With Dark Island, Clydebuilt primarily targets the Asian and North American markets. The vessel is designed with a lifespan of at least 50 years, with decommissioning estimated around 2075—nearly double that of conventional cruise ships.

Clydebuilt Ltd is headquartered in Ayr (South Ayrshire, Scotland UK). The company is family-owned (registry number SC233839) and was incorporated in Edinburgh on July 5, 2002. It was founded by high-ranking executives from shipbuilding, offshore, design engineering, and product development sectors.

Project planning began in 2015.

In March 2025, the London-based firm EKM (Evan K. Marshall Ltd) was contracted to design the ship.

Current technical specifications include: GT tonnage of 39,980 tons, draught of 6.3 m (21 ft), cruising speed of 18.5 knots (max 25 knots), ice-strengthened hull, LNG-based powerplant (total output 23.4 MW / 31,350 HP), battery energy storage system, and gyro stabilizers. Propulsion consists of 2x bow thrusters (360-degree azimuthing pods with electric motors) and twin shafts with controllable pitch propellers (CPPs).

Decks and Cabins

Clydebuilt Dark Island staterooms (236 total) are all Suite-category condos (eight cabin types), each with a step-out balcony. These are categorized as Residential Units/Apartments.

Cabin sizes range from 39 m2 (420 ft2) to 250 m2 (2690 ft2). The largest accommodations are four Loft Suites on Glencoe Deck (forward on Deck 8), each with private access via two entries from Deck 7, dual-level interiors (connected via twin spiral staircases and twin elevators), and balconies on both levels. Each suite also features a piano and a private library.

Cabin types range from 1-Bedroom Suites to 3-Bedroom Loft Suites. Residents may customize furniture and fixtures (brands and color schemes) and reconfigure layouts according to personal lifestyle preferences.

The largest accommodation is the Bow-Facing McMillan Suite (upper-level E01 plus two lower-level cabins), totaling 5160 ft2 / 480 m2, including a wraparound upper terrace (1620 ft2 / 150 m2) and two balconies on the lower level (total 290 ft2 / 28 m2).

All units are fully furnished with a living room (soft-grain leather sofa, armchairs, footstools), dining room, separate bedroom (connected to the bathroom), and a full kitchen (dry bar, wet bar, buffet cabinets, appliances). Walls, ceilings, and floors are fully soundproofed.

Standard in-room amenities include smart HDTVs (premium satellite package), Wi-Fi, wireless surround sound, electronic safe, adjustable mood lighting, Mahogany beds with luxury mattresses, under-bed suitcase storage, Egyptian cotton bedding and branded pillows, bedside cabinets with reading lamps, built-in wardrobes, drawers, bureau/writing desk/dressing table with an armchair, 4-seat dining tables, kitchen counter with high chairs, contemporary designer furnishings, and marble bathrooms. Bathrooms feature wall-hung toilets, bidets, bathtubs, glass-door showers, dual single-sink vanities, LED demisting mirrors, marble floors/walls, underfloor heating, heated towel rails, brushed gold fixtures, and premium toiletries. Lighting is recessed and LED-based, with individual air-conditioning controls.

All balconies are teak-floored and furnished with a 4-seat dining table and sun loungers.

Housekeeping is offered twice daily, and 24-hour room service (hot and cold meals) is available.

Residents may live permanently on board or rent out their suites through Clydebuilt.

The vessel has 10 decks, nine of which are accessible to passengers, and five of which feature cabins.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

All decks are interconnected via two sets of forward and aft stairways and elevators. Public restrooms are available throughout the ship.

Clydebuilt’s Dark Island offers the following signature amenities:

• Hospital (Medical Centre and Pharmacy)
• Aft Marina Deck for watersports, featuring a mini-submarine and Zodiacs. Sea-trekking and scuba equipment are available for residents and guests.
• Helicopter Hangar and Helideck (Deck 9, aft), supporting private/chartered flights, sightseeing tours, and medevac operations.
• Two-deck Theatre (Decks 2-3) for live shows, concerts, comedy, lectures, and media presentations.
• Media Center
• Library Lounge (reading room with books, guides, board games)
• Shops: Jewelry, Boutique, Gift, Photo, Art and Crafts
• Art Gallery (also hosts auctions)
• Highland Glen Spa (hydrotherapy pool, treatment rooms)
• Beauty Salon (hair, barber, nails)
• Sauna Room, Locker Room, Snack Bar
• Gym & Fitness Centre (treadmills, weights, benches)
• Gym & Wellbeing Centre (classes, training, personal coaching)
• Centrum Atrium (10-deck open space, midship) with Lobby Hall
• Galley and storage facilities
• Guest Service Desks (Excursions, Sales)
• Golf Course / Putting Green

Wellness venues have floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views.

Dining options include The Clan (main dining), The Glen (fine dining), and The Highland Grill (Lido Bistro).

Two Meeting Rooms are available for business events, private celebrations, and group functions.

Two Guest Service Halls serve as multifunctional spaces for VIP events, banquets, and social functions.

Two Children's Play Areas (Decks 7 and 10) are indoor spaces supervised by dedicated staff.

The Pool Deck (Deck 9) features a heated swimming pool, sundeck with loungers and deckchairs, performance stage, outdoor movie screen, jogging track, indoor Lido Café, and the ship’s smokestacks and Helideck.

Dining includes gourmet meals with both traditional Scottish and international cuisine. Menus reflect the ship's current sailing region and are prepared using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Daily Afternoon Tea includes premium coffees and teas served with sandwiches and onboard-baked desserts.

Clydebuilt’s Enrichment Program offers classes (arts, crafts, languages, cooking, photography), group fitness sessions (yoga, Pilates), live entertainment (music, comedy, performances by resident artists), guest speakers, and destination-focused port talks.

Custom private events (celebrations, BBQs, beach parties) and outdoor adventures (golfing, camping, hiking, cycling, kayaking, surfing, rafting, etc.) can be organized both onboard and ashore.

Itineraries

As with all residential ships, Dark Island's itineraries and destinations are determined by vote among the stateroom owners.

The ship will launch with a 3-year global voyage ("Around the World") and a series of "Voyages of Discovery" following routes of renowned European explorers including Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Sir Francis Drake, and Captain James Cook.