Britain & Ireland - Noble Caledonia

Explore the Treasures of our
Idyllic Islands
Most of us promise ourselves that one day we will see more of
our homeland but the thought of tedious journeys along busy
roads often leads us instead to jump on an aircraft to some
distant spot when some of the most picturesque and beautiful
places in the world are on our doorstep. That does not mean
that access is always easy. In fact much of which we explore can
only be approached from the sea.
Every year the popularity of small ship cruising in our own waters
grows and now it has become the single most important area in
the world for us. This is immensely rewarding as the vast
majority of passengers are from Britain. We have many years of
experience in designing trips to the hidden corners of our
remotest places and yet every year we discover something new.
Although we set sail with a set itinerary it is the unscheduled
events that often become the highlight of the journey.
For 2013 and 2014 we have five vessels cruising the British Isles
and Ireland which vary in style and experience. From the
stunning and elegant tall ship Sea Cloud II to the small and
informal Ocean Nova or our much-loved MS Island Sky, there is
something to suit all tastes. However all cruises have the same
aim, to explore the sheer diversity of the landscapes and
experience the spirit and warmth of small communities.
Whether you be an avid gardener, birdwatcher, amateur
historian or simply enjoy sailing past and visiting some of the
most enchanting places in the world then one of the cruises
featured on the following pages could be for you.
Life Onboard
The onboard team will enhance your experience in so many
ways. The added pleasure of cruising with experienced
naturalists, ornithologists and marine biologists who have such a
passion for the natural world is hard to describe. Every day they
will highlight something of wonder and share their knowledge.
There will be daily port briefings, presentations and the team will
always be available for informal chats.
Explorations ashore
Each vessel is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac landing craft.
These ideal inflatable vessels allow us to explore inlets, fjords,
bird sanctuaries and land in otherwise inaccessible places, such
as Lunga or St Kilda. With a flexible itinerary, the captain and
expedition leader will take the best advantage of the weather
conditions allowing us to make the most of each day. Flexibility
is the key to an expedition cruise; often the whole day’s
schedule will be changed to maximise your experience,
something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship.
CONTENTS
Puffins on Skellig Michael, County Kerry
Some extracts from our past ship logs 4
Expedition team 5
Corinthian 6-7
Atlantic Island Odyssey 8-9
Summer in the Isles 10-11
MS Island Sky 12-13
Britain & Ireland in Bloom 14-15
Ocean Nova 16
Bird Quest 17
Bird Islands 18-19
Lost Islands 20-21
SY Sea Cloud II 22-23
Sailing to the Isles 24-25
MS Serenissima 26-27
Great Gardens & Houses of Britain & Ireland 28-29
Hebridean Odyssey 30-31
Scottish Islands & Highlands in Bloom 32-33
Islands on the Edge 34-35
www.noble-caledonia.co.uk • Page 3