“Sit down now!” “Don’t step onto the boat until you are told to do
so!” “Give me both hands first!” Such are our stern orders as we
prepare to go ashore at Maria Island, one of Tasmania’s gruesome
penal sites off the east coast of the ‘apple isle’. Whoa-betide any
clumsy lubber who should fail to observe these directions.
No, we are not re-enacting a chapter from “For the term of his
natural life” and our instructions are not being delivered by some
savage cat-o-nine-tails wielding overseer, but rather our diminutive
Zodiac driver keen to ensure her self-loading cargo is stowed
promptly without incident. I shouldn’t wince at the directness, as I’m
sure the guests making this short journey 150 years ago received far
less polite requests.
I am aboard MS Caledonian Sky, formerly Hebridean Spirit, a
recently refurbished expedition vessel and one of the eight compact
Renaissance class ships that include the former Orion II, Island Sky
and Sea Spirit. Most have had numerous names and lives with at
least as many masters but they have proven themselves perfectly
capable in delivering at the soft end of expedition cruising.
Several of the expedition team I have met on previous ships,
reinforcing the ‘small world’ of adventure cruising but my biggest
surprise is to find Australian Capt Frank Allica back at the helm after
last sailing under his charge on Orion II.
“She’s been much better maintained than Orion II,” Capt Frank tells
me candidly as we sit for a coffee out on the sun-drenched Lido
Deck, “and not had such a hard life.” His relaxed demeanour speaks
volumes.
The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114
passengers in 57 spacious outside suites across seven categories, 23
with private balconies. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some
feature bathtubs, making them deserving of the ‘luxury’ title. There
are two restaurants, a Club, small gym, library, clinic, salon and
lounge/lecture room across five decks.
The significance of this vessel’s arrival in Australian waters is its
new position in the Noble Caledonia fleet and the 85th anniversary
of APT, the Australian family-owned business which bought a
strategic stake in Noble Caledonia this year.
Formed in 1991, Noble Caledonia operates river cruises, expedition
cruises, small ship cruises and land tours in 15 world regions,
including Antarctica and the Arctic with seven vessels hosting
between 50 to 160 passengers. Noble Caledonia owns two vessels
and operates the others on long-term charters, marketing its
holidays to a predominantly UK clientèle. A point made clear by the
make up of passengers aboard this itinerary, the Antipodean
Odyssey, a journey beginning in Wellington NZ, crossing the Tasman
and culminating in Sydney after visits to Hobart, Port Arthur, Wine
Glass Bay, Maria Island, Flinders Island and Melbourne. From
Sydney, she continues to Cairns, West Papua, Indonesia, Borneo, the
Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Kamchatka, Alaska and Vancouver
where she arrives in July.
For comparative purposes, these itineraries are approx AU$750 per
person, per night twin share (without airfares) and includes wine,
beer and soft drinks with meals, all excursions, taxes and gratuities.
Extras include premium drinks and minibar outside meal times,
espresso coffee and Internet (GBP12 for 100mins).
For details of future sailings see your ICCA agent, contact 1300 278
278 or see www.aptouring.com.au.
