Island Sky

The 1992-built MS Island Sky cruise ship was constructed by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania SpA (in Marina di Carrara, Italy) and launched as “Renaissance VIII” for shipowner Renaissance Cruises (founded 1989, defunct since 2001). The ship’s current owner is Island Sky Shipping Inc (a subsidiary of Noble Caledonia) and she was previously owned by APT/Australian Pacific Touring (2017–2022). Additionally, she has been seasonally chartered by Quark Expeditions (since 2017), when Quark launched an all-inclusive fly-cruise program using Island Sky.

The vessel (IMO number 8802894) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311743000) and registered in Nassau.

Her sisters from the same builder are Sea Spirit (Renaissance V), Caledonian Sky (Renaissance VI), and Hebridean Sky (Renaissance VII).

History - construction and ownership

The 4,200-ton, 118-passenger Island Sky was built alongside Noble Caledonia’s Caledonian Sky at the same Italian shipyard. In June 2012, APT (Australian Pacific Touring) bought a 51% stake in Noble Caledonia and thus became a shipowner. Guests enjoy wine with lunch and dinner, a professional guest-speaker program, and in-depth shore excursions included in the cruise fare.

Her draft is only 13 ft (4 m), allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. She is powered by two MAN B&W marine diesel engines (total output 4,750 hp). The hull is ice class 1D. She carries four fully enclosed lifeboats. Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

Decks and Cabins

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and with cabins. There are 57 staterooms (maximum capacity 118 passengers), with the smallest at 20 m2 (215 ft2). All cabins are outside (oceanview) with en suite bathrooms. A total of 23 accommodations (Deluxe and Suites) have private step-out balconies.

Most cabins are double-occupancy, but there are lower-deck accommodations with triple occupancy (family cabins with a sofabed). Standard amenities include an en suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), sitting area (mirrored dressing table/writing desk with chair, TV, DVD/CD player), spacious wardrobe, minibar, and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard facilities and amenities (dining and entertainment options)

With just over 100 guests and single-seating dining, cuisine onboard is consistently of high quality. Where possible, chefs source local produce or buy the catch of the day from passing fishing boats. Pre-dinner canapés and afternoon tea are served daily in the lounge or out on the Lido Deck.

Guests choose their seating—join a table of 4–6 outdoors on the Lido Deck or dine in the a la carte restaurant. Solo travelers are seated with like-minded guests. In the main dining room, breakfast is buffet-style with cooked-to-order items; lunches and dinners are a la carte five-course. Complimentary wines are included with both lunch and dinner.

Her well-designed public spaces include a large lounge (with grand piano), a stylish bar (staffed by a professional bartender), a sun deck (ample observation space), an enclosed panoramic viewing deck, Polar Library, Lecture Theater, spa pool, and a small gym.

She carries a fleet of Zodiacs and stand-up paddleboards for accessing remote shores and islands, and provides complimentary equipment for scuba diving. Passengers also enjoy a high-quality onboard entertainment and enrichment program.

Itineraries

Island Sky’s itinerary program includes Suez Canal cruises (roundtrip from Aqaba, Jordan) and Mediterranean voyages departing from Venice, Italy.

MS Island Sky's Quark Expeditions fly-cruise deals

When chartered by Quark Expeditions, Island Sky operates on all-inclusive terms. Her maximum capacity is reduced to 108 passengers.

Quark Expeditions’ “Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake” itinerary (7 or 8 days) visits King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula without sailing the Drake Passage—instead flying over it. This fly-cruise includes charter flights between Santiago de Chile, Punta Arenas (Chile), and the South Shetland Islands (King George Island), where embarkation takes place for the voyage to Antarctica. The itinerary’s duration is 7 or 8 days.

Quark Expeditions’ “Antarctic Explorer: All-Inclusive” itinerary (10 days) visits the Antarctic Peninsula and focuses on wildlife viewing and onboard lectures (penguins, seals, whales). This fly-cruise includes domestic flights in Argentina (between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia), as well as all gratuities and onboard drinks. Embarkation is in Ushuaia (late afternoon). The route includes the Beagle Channel, Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Disembarkation is in Ushuaia, followed by a flight to Buenos Aires (included).

Quark Expeditions’ “Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle” itinerary (11 days) also includes all domestic flights (between Punta Arenas and King George Island, where embarkation/disembarkation occur). This fly-cruise features crossing the Drake Passage (on day 2) and crossing the Antarctic Circle (on days 6 and 7).

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise deals include:

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay; group transfers (airport-hotel the day prior to departure, and hotel-ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation (daily housekeeping)
• all onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)—note the galley cannot prepare kosher meals
• all Zodiac landings (daily, weather permitting) and Zodiac transfers/cruising (daily)
• multimedia presentations by Expedition Team members and guest lecturers
• waterproof expedition boots (for shore landings)
• complimentary Quark Expeditions-logoed parka
• life jackets and immersion suits
• complimentary coffee, tea, and cocoa (24/7)
• hairdryer and bathrobe (in all cabins)
• pre-departure materials (including maps)
• all service taxes and port fees
• all onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance up to USD 100,000 per person
• Fly-cruise departures also include complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers and spirits onboard, all gratuities (staff and crew), and all domestic flights (prior to embarkation).
• Shipboard laundry and ironing services are available at additional cost.
• Ship-to-shore communications via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet) are available at extra cost.