In 2017 we introduced our new luxury vessel, which had a very successful season and she is already almost booked out for 2018. Over the winter, a few essentials were addressed, including operational upgrades such as new stabilisers to provide the best cruising experience possible for our guests. The ship was then painted blue to match our brand colours and her sister ship Elizabeth-G. All along, we knew that we would rename our new ship and tradition demands that a ship should have a feminine name which is often a close relative of the owners family. So what better name to choose than for our own daughter who has been instrumental in building Hebrides Cruises to the success it now is.
Emma Jane will arrive in Oban on April 3rd, ready for the new season and splendid in her new colour. She will be officially named at a special ceremony on Sunday 22 April. Ships are renamed all the time, but as all seafarers know, there is a vital formula to go through to ensure continued good fortune on the seas. As part of the ceremony a special speech will be made to Neptune before the usual procedure of naming the boat. The boat will then be blessed by a minister, in this case Donald Kirsop, Uncle of Emma.
Sunday 22 April will also be our Open Day from 2pm onwards on the pontoons at Oban. All are welcome to come and find out if small ship wildlife cruising (with an extra bit of luxury!) is for them!
There is not a way to say enough about our enjoyment of the cruise. Emma was very good about responding quickly to our inquiries and providing all the details that we needed for booking. The crew was professional, knowledgeable, interesting and fun. We have never done a boat cruise and didn’t know what to expect but the expectations bar has been set high after our experience over these 10 days.Response is not what would have made cruise extra special – but what did make cruise extra special. We were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with this cruise. Chef Ross made a cake and decorated it with “50” made of candies and presented it to us at tea time one afternoon! Another special experience was the opportunity to meet Skipper James’ parents; I read his mother’s book while on the vessel and asked James many questions about his family. When we were in Tobermory, James’ mother and father visited us. This was a lovely “extra” that we will remember throughout our lives. We have recommended the trip to several friends already.
David & Angela Hiley: 4 September 2017St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides