Caledonian Sky

The 1991-built MS Caledonian Sky cruise ship was constructed by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania SpA (in Marina di Carrara Italy) and launched under the name "Renaissance VI" for shipowner Renaissance Cruises (1989-founded/2001-defunct).

The vessel's current shipowner is APT (Australian Pacific Touring) and before 2023 it was chartered to Noble Caledonia. Since 2025, the ship will be chartered by APT's subsidiary Travelmarvel.

APT acquired the boat (named "Hebridean Spirit") in May 2012 after a planned drydock refurbishment. In May 2023 APT announced that Caledonian Sky will be chartered by Captain Cook Cruises Fiji (to replace Reef Endeavour) starting in November (2023). In August 2023 was announced that the ship was sold by Australian Pacific Holdings (APT's parent company) to Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, starting revenue operations on November 11th (maiden voyage out of Nadi/Viti Levu Island Fiji).

Before the Captain Cook charter (starting November 8th, 2023), the ship was renovated at Port Lautoka (Fiji). The project was mainly for routine maintenance and classification works but also included the installation of Resco PMS / POS  systems. The technology is provided by Rescompany Systems Ltd (Caringbah NSW Australia-based firm). It allows real-time management/control over all shipboard passenger operations (including cruise reservations, guest lists, cabin inventory, land tours and itineraries). It generates various reports (including payments, auditing, and balance of revenue/Net Revenue minus Management Fee).

In late-June 2024, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji announced the cessation of operations with Caledonian Sky. The ship's final voyage with the company (7-night/8-day "Ultimate Lau & Kadavu" itinerary) was scheduled to depart from Port Denarau on October 26th (2024) and end on November 2nd (in Lautoka). The itinerary visits Makogai Island, Qilaqila/Vanua Balavu Island, Fulaga Island, Vuaqava Island, Totoya Island and Nalotu/Kadavu Island before Lautoka.

In mid-July 2024 was announced that the ship was chartered to Travelmarvel. The inaugural season (April-October 2025) is based on deployment in Europe/Mediterranean and 8- to 15-night itineraries visiting the Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean (Greek Islands), the Central Med/Adriatic, Spain's Canary Islands and Portugal's Madeira Island. Travelmarvel Caledonian Sky's homeports are in Greece, Turkey Italy, and Spain.

The vessel (IMO number 8802870) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311061100) and registered in Nassau.

From the same shipbuilder/sisterships are Sea Spirit (Renaissance V), Hebridean Sky (Renaissance VII), Island Sky (Renaissance VIII).

History - construction and ownership

The 114-passenger ship Caledonian Sky was under construction at the same time and in the same Italian yard as Noble Caledonia other ship - Island Sky.

In June 2012, APT (Australian Pacific Touring) bought a 51% stake in Noble Caledonia, and thus became a shipowner. To its passengers, the vessel offers wine at lunch and dinner, a professional guest speaker program, and in-depth shore excursions included in cruise ticket prices.

Starting in 2000 (when the vessel was bought by Hebridean Island Cruises), Caledonian Sky sailed under the name "Hebridean Spirit". In 2009, the company sold it to a Middle Eastern buyer who wanted to transform the ship into a private superyacht. A few years later, the vessel came back on the market and was again bought by Noble Caledonia and used as a cruise ship.

In 1996, the Australian-based travel company Captain Cook Cruises entered Fiji's day-cruising market. This way, the "Captain Cook Cruises Fiji" company was created, with joint owners Captain Cook Cruises' founder (late Captain Trevor Haworth from Australia) and Semi Koroilavesau (Fiji Ports Ltd company's chairman). The first vessel to provide overnight accommodations on Fiji roundtrip cruises (out of Nadi's Port Denarau Marina) was Reef Escape. With the introduction of the larger Reef Endeavour, the company started offering longer and more complex/intriguing itineraries.

In 2012, the Haworth family sold the Australian cruise operations but retained the Fiji operations.

Decks and Cabins

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and with cabins. There are a total of 57 staterooms (providing max capacity 114 passengers), with the smallest cabins sized 20 m2 (215 ft2). All cabins are outside (oceanviews) and with en suite bathrooms. A total of 23 accommodations (in categories Deluxe and Suites) have private step-out balconies.

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities (dining and entertainment options)

With a maximum of just over 100 guests and only one sitting, the cuisine onboard Caledonian Sky is of consistently superior quality. Where possible, the chefs obtain local produce or buy the catch of the day from passing fishing boats. Pre-dinner canapes and afternoon tea take place every day in either the Panorama Lounge or out on the Lido Deck.

When dining, guests are able to choose their seating arrangements, whether that be joining a table of 4 to 6 other passengers outside on the Lido Deck or whether enjoying meals in the a la carte restaurant. Those traveling alone are seated with other like-minded travelers. In the main dining room, breakfast is buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order. Lunch and dinner are a la carte 5-course affair. A selection of wines is included with both meals to further enhance the dining experience.

Refurbished in 2012, the beautifully designed public spaces of Caledonian Sky include the large Panorama Lounge (with a piano and a stylish bar), sun deck, enclosed panoramic viewing deck, library, and small gym.

The ship carries a fleet of Zodiacs (motorized rubber boats) available for accessing remote shores and islands and equipped to offer scuba diving.

Itineraries

Caledonian Sky itinerary program for Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is based on homeporting in Port Denarau/Nadi (Viti Levu) and voyages in the Yasawa Islands, Mamanuca Islands and Lau Islands groups. New itineraries of the Captain Cook brand (introduced in 2023-2024 with the newly acquired Caledonian Sky) visit destinations in Tonga and Samoa.

The list of visited islands includes Levuka, Makogai, Nananu-i-Ra, Vanua Levu (Savusavu, Labasa), Kia, Kioa, Rabi, Lavena, Taveuni, Wailagilala, Vanua Balavu, Lakemba, Oneata, Vuaqava, Fulaga, Kabara, Totya, Kadavu. Short breaks (Fiji Day Cruises) visit the company's private island Tivua.

Captain Cook Cruises' Caledonian Sky itineraries in Fiji range from 3-night to 11-night.

Before the 2023 acquisition by Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, the ship operated in the South Pacific with roundtrips from Papeete Tahiti (French Polynesia) and also offered Australian voyages out of homeport Fremantle-Perth.