MS Island Sky

Ship Highlights
• Passengers : 116
• Luxury Expedition Ship

Formerly known as Renaissance VIII this is one of the finest small ships in the world.

Your Suite
Built in Italy in 1992 to a high specification, the MS Island Sky offers exceptionally spacious and well designed cabins. All cabins are in fact suites with a sitting room area and some have private balconies; twin suites range from 21 to 30 square meters. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood paneling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. En-suite bathrooms, large wardrobes, and many other luxury ammenities await your convenience.

Another benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. In the main restaurant, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast and a buffet-style lunch are also served on deck. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

Due to the generous size of the suites, our maximum complement of passengers is 116, although a vessel of this size is capable of carrying many more. The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge, elegant bar with piano, library stocked with fiction and reference books along with a selection of games and an elegant single sitting dining room. Outside there is a rear sun deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade, a bar, spa pool and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck. There is also a small hairdressers on board with appointments made on request.

For Your Comfort & Security
Our vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilizers to minimize the ships motion. The captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship's progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.

Going Ashore
Where possible we will go alongside in port. In remote, undeveloped areas or places with restricted access, we will use the vessel's tender. During the winter months when the vessel is operating expedition cruises or in areas such as the British Isles, we will employ the vessel's Zodiacs. These inflatable craft, offer marvellous manoeuvrability allowing us access to otherwise impossible landing places.

Day to Day Life on Board
The daily programme on board is in the capable hands of our Cruise Director and staff who coordinate with the Captain and officers to make the most of each day. Briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage together with a 'Daily Programme' that is distributed every evening to your suite outlining the next day's activities. Dress on board is casual and relaxed and there will no 'black tie' evenings. During the voyage there will be an evening or two when a jacket and tie are requested.

A Unique Atmosphere
On board there is a high ratio of crew to passengers who are mainly Filipino and Eastern European. Our northern European captains are experienced mariners, many having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels, who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, guest speakers, informative port briefings from our cruise director and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship.

Europe (cruises)

Itinerary	Prices From	Days	Months	Destinations
Asia Minor Odyssey	$3,195	11	Oct	Greece, Turkey, Crete, Cyprus
Black Sea Odyssey	$2,995	11	Oct	Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia
Ionian & Adriatic Odyssey	$3,195	11	Sep	Italy, Croatia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro, Sicily
Journey to the Levant	$3,095	11	Oct	Turkey, Cyprus
Venice to the Golden Horn	$3,395	12	Sep	Italy, Greece, Croatia, Albania, Turkey
Voyage to Valletta	$2,995	12	Sep	France, Spain, Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia