Classic Luxury
Antarctica
MS Island Sky
Enjoy elegant polar expedition cruising on the Italian-built Island Sky, with spacious and comfortable all-suite accommodation, world-class dining, impeccable service, knowledgeable guides, as well as multiple zodiac excursions and shore landings.
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A fantastic expedition team, made up of highly skilled and experienced guides and lecturers
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Guests are invited to participate in scientific research projects on board
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Comfortable, spacious cabins, all exterior facing and some with private balconies
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The great selection of itineraries and additional activities on offer help you get the most out of this incredible destination
The Island Sky offers small-scale expedition cruising throughout the Antarctic and is one of our favourite cruises in the region, striking the balance perfectly between a responsible ethos, on-board style and real adventure. An elegant ship with a sophisticated but friendly ambience, the Island Sky provides the highest levels of comfort from which to explore the magnificent scenery and wildlife of the Antarctic region. With an ice-strengthened hull and redundant core technology for a smooth and stable passage, the ship makes easy work of even the most challenging conditions. Passengers enjoy comfortable accommodation, several panoramic viewing decks, the expertise of experienced guides and flexible itineraries to take advantage of the dynamic environment.
The spacious cabins offer elegant styling with plenty of dark woods, sumptuous fabrics and patterned carpets. Supremely comfortable, standard amenities include en-suite stone and tile bathroom with premium toiletries, bathrobes, hairdryer, an individually-controlled heating system, lighting, minibar, flat-screen TV, comfortable seating area and plenty of storage to stow your belongings. Those in Premium and Deluxe Suites have sliding glass doors for easy access to the shared outer deck; while guests in the Owner’s, Penthouse and Veranda Suites also enjoy a complimentary minibar and Nespresso machine as well as a private outdoor terrace.
The dining room serves refined cuisine of a high standard with complimentary beer or wine and if the weather permits, guests can dine outside on the Lido Deck. Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet style while dinner offers multi course a la carte dining. There is a lounge bar with a piano offering live entertainment and 24-hour access to free tea, coffee and biscuits. The Island Sky has an observation platform on the top deck for panoramic views of the scenery and wildlife and there are usually two Zodiac excursions each day, often with shore landings, subject to weather and ice conditions. There is a cruise photographer on hand with plenty of photography advice; the chance to experience a night of Antarctic camping and join a sea kayaking adventure. Passengers can also choose to take part in the Citizen Science project helping to collect and track data for climate change researchers.
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Top tip:
Veranda Suites are a real treat as they are the first cabin category to offer a private outdoor terrace - perfect for contemplating the natural beauty of Antarctica in solitude.
To start planning your vacation Plan your trip
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Antarctic Sound
Sailing towards the Antarctic Sound brings you to a dramatically different landscape, rich in Adelie penguins and little-travelled waterways. Largely covered in sea ice for much of the year, the region offers a wealth of flora and fauna to discover.
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Exploring the Lemaire Channel
Boasting some of the most spectacular mountain scenery and icebergs, the Lemaire Channel is a truly beautiful part of the Antarctic Peninsula to explore, both on your ship and on Zodiac excursions.
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Spectacular South Georgia
Longer Antarctic expeditions include time exploring South Georgia, arguably the highlight of your cruise. With breathtaking scenery, huge congregations of king and macaroni penguins and amazing birdlife, there is so much to discover here.
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The Drake Passage
The stretch of sea between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica is the Drake Passage, an often turbulent stretch of sea that marks the beginning and end of your journey south. Take in the midnight sunset and watch albatrosses fly alongside you.
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The Falkland Islands
With clear skies, seamless horizons and large numbers of penguins and albatross to be found on white sand beaches and amongst tufts of vibrant tussock grass, The Falkland Islands are rich in natural beauty and a visit here is culturally fascinating too.
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Visiting Port Lockroy
Port Lockroy is a British-built research station situated on Goudier Island and restored into a museum about the early explorers in 1996. A fascinating place to explore, and plenty of gentoo penguins outside to entertain you, too.
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Whales & Seals
Whilst most visitors find the penguins the primary draw in terms of Antarctic wildlife, the marine life includes numerous species of seal and whale. Species include humpback whales, orcas, elephant and leopard seals, and Antarctic fur seals.
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Zodiac excursions
One of the real highlights of an Antarctic cruise is getting out on the water in small Zodiac vessels, the ideal way to get up close to the icebergs, wildlife and marine life.