Luxury ship docks in Dún Laoghaire

A UNIQUE luxury ship that usually sends its time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland Islands dropped in for a quick visit to Dún Laoghaire last week.

The newly refurbished Hebridean Sky (formally the Sea Explorer 1) cruise ship docked in Dún Laoghaire Harbour for its first visit last Friday week.

The boutique ship with 100 guests and 72 crew on board usually spends part of its year navigating the extremes of the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company said they were delighted to welcome the first of two calls from Noble Caledonian group this summer with the ship due to return in August.

A two-night Antarctic expedition on board this luxury ship can cost up to €25,000 per person sharing in the luxury Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite.

The ship was renovated earlier in 2016 and now features all 59 suites facing outwards.

The MS Hebridean Sky is one of three flag ships and is sister vessel to the MS Caledonian Sky and MS Island Sky which visited the harbour in June 2015.

The 90.6m ship called to the historic Carlisle Pier after its recent refurbishment to accommodate such visits.  The ship arrived for a 13-hour visit before heading north to Portrush, Co Down.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Master Captain Simon Coate, said: “Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company works hard to secure luxury ships of this kind to the harbour. The unique aesthetics of this 200-year-old harbour means it is a sought after port of call.”