Our new vessel has been refitted to provide the perfect combination of luxury and adventure for the once-in-a-lifetime trip to St Kilda. All five cabins on board are double or twin ensuite; our cabin suite is especially suited for guests who require more space.
Our four crew are dedicated to ensuring our 10 guests on board have the trip of their lives. They provide excellent hospitality and attention at any time of the day, identify wildlife, provide expert local information and access the best anchorages and cruising routes. While on a longer sea trip, the high quality of hospitality on board is even more appreciated by our guests. Gourmet meals are served in the main dining deck saloon, which has a spacious dining area and separate lounge with sofas and chairs, seating 10 guests comfortably for drinks and canapes. The open air aft deck is just a step away, for an alfresco drink at any time of the day. The aft deck also has a hot tub for guests who prefer to relax and a platform for easy access to the water for the more energetic guests who may fancy a quick swim.
The choice of spacious decks up top is a unique feature of the vessel, with several indoor and outdoor seating areas and loungers available. The sheltered observation deck is 5 metres from sea level giving a superb 360 degree panoramic view, great for soaking in the scenery. The skipper can also steer the vessel from the observation deck giving another pair of experienced eyes for spotting wildlife, especially the elusive basking shark. The ship’s twin engines, deep draft and wide beam gives it seaworthiness, safety and makes for comfortable cruising. An important feature is the tender launching system which stores the ship’s tender on board while cruising. (In the open seas, towing a tender slows the vessel down, and there is always the danger of it getting separated from the vessel) This important safety feature also enables us to get our guests ashore quickly and easily on arrival at many of the remote anchorages we visit.
The vessel is fully coded to MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) regulations Level 2. She has been updated with comprehensive, modern communication and navigation system, which brings her up to a very high standard of provision for safe cruising. This includes new Osmotech Stabilisers for our guest comfort and AIS (Automatic Identification System), which tracks where she is and where she has been.
Why not join us on the inaugural 6-night cruise on May 13th 2017 to Skye and the Small Isles with a special introductory offer of only £1900 per person. Only four cabins remaining!
This is my third trip with Hebrides cruises and it's like meeting up with old friends every time. The crew may change, but the warmth, care and incredible service remains the same with nothing being too much trouble and the effort made to give everyone a good experience is a hallmark of the company. The onshore trips allow for individual choices in how one wants to spend the time ashore while always having the option of a guide who is familiar with the area and advice on things worth seeing . The welcome back with a glass of fizz and home( or should it be boat?)baked cakes is lovely. And talking about food, I have rarely eaten so well on holiday, with Peter in the kitchen producing continually exciting and varied but always delicious meals. Pauline kept everything in sparkling order and James and Lynsey ensured we didn't miss a thing whether it be a sighting of eagles, seals or porpoises - a particular highlight was Lunga and time spent with the puffins! As a single traveller, I always feel so at home and comfortable with my fellow travellers that I find it hard to imagine my year without a trip around the Isles - roll on No. 4!
Anne Barcellos: 4 May 2019Idyllic Islands: Mull, Iona, Staffa & the Treshnish Isles