MS Island Sky
Antarctica
An elegant & small expedition ship, offering classic luxury feel and a bespoke polar experience
At a Glance
A fantastic expedition team, made up of highly skilled and experienced guides and lecturers
Guests are invited to participate in scientific research projects on board
Comfortable, spacious cabins, all exterior facing and some with private balconies
The great selection of itineraries and additional activities on offer help you get the most out of this incredible destination
Please click here to see the deck plan
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Best time to Visit
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Antarctic weather is a lesson in extremes. Antarctica is the world’s coldest, windiest and driest continent. During the summer months the winds abate considerably and the weather is surprisingly comfortable, averaging between 20 and 50F. Summertime also means 18-24 hours of sunlight which allows life to flourish for a brief summer period. Long days also allow extensive exploration by small ship cruise to Antarctica. Antarctic weather allows for a short season of cruising from November to March each year.
Insider's View
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.
“My Veranda Cabin on the MS Island Sky was even more beautiful than I expected and was very comfortable. The ample square footage in combination with cozy bedding, blackout curtains, individual climate controls, en suite bathroom and entertainment system allowed me to rest and relax in privacy."
“The food on board the MS Island Sky was incredible! At breakfast and lunch they offered a good balance of a la carte items and buffet items, and at dinner we could always expect a 3 or 4 course meal with choices for each course. It was very impressive."
“I found that the lecture series offered on board the MS Island Sky greatly enriched my overall experience. The naturalists, marine biologists, geologists, historians and other experts on board were very knowledgeable and passionate making it easy to retain the wealth of knowledge they conveyed."
Call us on to start planning your holiday to MS Island Sky or take a look at our itineraries to Antarctica
Description
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.
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.
Accommodation
| Promenade Suite | MS Island Sky's comfortable Promenade Suites are located on the 4th deck and are 220 square feet in size. Interiors are clad in rich wood panelling combined with large mirrors to help reflect light making the cabin feel large and bright. Suites feature premium bedding, plush seating, a flat screen television, complimentary mini-bar, and stone en suite bathroom with hair dryers. Each Promenade Suite also has a sliding glass door providing lots of light and fresh air as well as outdoor access. |
| Window Suite | MS Island Sky's comfortable Window Suites are located on the 3rd deck and are 225 square feet/ 21 square metres in size with a large picture window. Interiors are clad in rich wood panelling combined with large mirrors to help reflect light making the cabin feel large and bright. Suites feature premium bedding, plush seating, a flat screen television, mini-bar, and a marble bathroom with hair dryers. |
| Porthole Suite | MS Island Sky's comfortable Porthole Suites are located on the 2nd deck and are 240 square feet in size with a porthole window. Interiors are clad in rich wood panelling combined with large mirrors to help reflect light making the cabin feel large and bright. Suites feature premium bedding, plush seating, a flat screen television, mini-bar, and stone en suite bathroom with hair dryers. |
| Deluxe Suite | The Deluxe suites are 220 square feet/ 22 square metres and feature a sitting area, side window and a tinted sliding glass door giving you easy access to the outer deck. They come equipped with a flat screen TV, telephone, Mini-bar, hair dryer and marble bathroom. |
| Owner's Suite | The MS Island Sky's spacious Owner's Suite has 385 square feet / 34 square metres of space spread across a separate bedroom and living room with en suite marble bathroom. Interiors are decorated in a timeless, classic style and come equipped with a flat screen TV, telephone, mini-bar and hair dryer. The Owner's Suite also has floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to a private veranda. |
| Penthouse Suite | The Penthouse suites are 325 square feet/ 30 square metres and has a private balcony and sitting area with exterior views. They come equipped with a flat screen TV, telephone, Mini-bar, hair dryer and a marble bathroom. |
| Veranda Suite | The MS Island Sky's comfortable Veranda Suites are 260 square feet / 24 square metres and are decorated in a timeless, classic style. Each Veranda Suite come equipped with a flat screen TV, telephone, mini-bar, closet, hair dryer, en suite stone bathroom and sliding glass doors leading to a private veranda with panoramic views. |
| Triple Suite | MS Island Sky's comfortable Triple Suites are located on the 3rd deck and are 225 square feet/ 21 square metres in size with a large picture window. Interiors are clad in rich wood panelling combined with large mirrors to help reflect light making the cabin feel large and bright. Suites feature premium bedding, plush seating, a flat screen television, mini-bar, and a marble bathroom with a hair dryer. |
Facilities
| Restaurant | MS Island Sky’s beautiful restaurant is located on Deck 2 where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with a-la-carte options available as well. Dinner is served a-la-carte with 2 to 3 choices for each course |
| Club & Library | MS Island Sky’s lovely Club and Library are located on Deck 4 and serve as the perfect places to unwind and reflect on your experiences. The Club offers a variety of seating and features a full bar as well as complimentary coffee, tea, water and biscuits 24 hours a day. The adjacent Library houses a wealth of book related to polar exploration and history, as well as maps and 2 desktop computers for passenger use |
| Lounge | MS Island Sky’s comfortable lounge is located on Deck 3 and serves as the primary gathering space for briefings and lectures. Featuring ample seating, projection equipment and a sound system, this is also where you gather to disembark the ship for excursions |
| Outdoor Viewing Areas | MS Island Sky’s Outdoor Viewing Areas are extensive and can be accessed from Decks 3, 4, 5 and 6. On some decks, the viewing areas wrap entirely around the ship while on other decks there are forward or stern viewing areas only. Each offers a different perspective |
Activities
| Citizen Science | This hands-on research program is led by the ship’s passionate and knowledgeable Naturalists and is operated in partnership with institutions like NASA and the Scripps Institute. Count sea birds, take sea samples, track whales and more! Each voyage is truly unique and has different scientific goals. |
| Kayaking | Kayaking is offered as an option excursion on certain departures. There are a limited number of spaces and it is always popular so we recommend booking in advance. Antarctica and South Georgia are truly the last best frontiers for kayaking. Paddling in these pristine, icy wilderness areas will overwhelm even the most seasoned adventurer. It is a rare opportunity, for few have experienced these magical places by kayak. Go where the Zodiacs can’t, get away from motor noise, get closer to wildlife and enjoy the region’s immense silence. Some sea or open water kayaking experience is required. |
| Zodiac Excursions and Landings | Each trip aims to maximise wildlife observation in a respectful and environmentally sound way, using zodiacs between ship and shore. Typically two disembarkations are aimed for per day, this will either be a shore landing or zodiac excursion. |
| Camping on the Ice | Enjoy a truly once in a lifetime experience and spend a night camped out on the ice in Antarctica! Get a taste of Antarctica as it was experienced by the early explorers, while knowing that in the morning you’ll enjoy a hot shower and a hearty breakfast back on board our luxurious ship. There are a limited number of spaces to camp overnight on the ice so we recommend booking in advance. |
| Polar Plunge | Not for the faint hearted the Polar Plunge is a bucket list experience for some! Don your swimming gear and plunge into Antarctica’s icy waters before heading back onto the boat to warm up with a hot drink. A thrilling experience and one you’re sure to always remember. |
| Daily Talks | Both the Cruise Director and Expedition Leader give daily briefings and talks from Guest Speakers and Expedition staff which take place in the main lounge. |
Floorplans
Deckplan - MS Island Sky
Reviews
Alison Carey (Staff)
This classically styled luxury ship is a throwback to a bygone era, with rich dark wood paneling and plush, rich fabrics. Modern amenities however also abound, such as individual climate controls in all cabins, flat screen televisions with complimentary news and entertainment, hairdryers, espresso machines and more. The cuisine on board is impressive and plentiful as are books, maps and other resources to enhance your learning on board. Most importantly, the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff truly make you feel and home and get to know each person on board. Their high standard of service is evident in all aspects of life on board, even more so off the ship during excursions. When it comes to disembarkation, the excursions are second to none and have a focus on wildlife, geology, climatology and responsible adventure. I cannot recommend the MS Island Sky highly enough.
Experiences
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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.
Holiday Ideas
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Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires
from £13200 pp inc flights & transfers for 23 nights
- Retrace Shackleton's legendary journey to South Georgia and Antarctica
- Have the chance to see Rockhopper, Macaroni, King, Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins
- 100% financial protection
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator
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