Hospitality from the four Crew and delicious food from the galley are major sources of enjoyment for our guests who are literally pampered from the moment they come on board. The meticulous running of the vessel, especially in terms of safety, comfort and cleanliness, is the essential backdrop to providing the exciting cruising and excellent hospitality that our guests will never forget.
Mealtimes are a highlight with delicious food
The meals served onboard our vessels are legendary. All food is prepared from fresh, local ingredients, creating tasty dishes that get rave reviews from our guests. View our list of Local food Suppliers> A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops by Skipper Rob. If Rob is your Skipper he will often dive for fresh scallops to be prepared by the Chef that day. The Skipper and Wildlife Guide join guests at mealtimes, to catch up on the latest adventures and plan the following day’s activities.View our fabulous food gallery>
Be as active or as relaxed as you please
While at sea guests can relax and watch the ever-changing scenery through panoramic windows in the dining deck saloon or from a choice of outdoor decks. Some prefer to join the Skipper in the wheelhouse or the Wildlife Guide on the observation deck, while others enjoy a book or a pre-dinner aperitif on the aft deck. Guests are introduced to the truly magical places of the Hebrides, which the Crew know so well. Stopovers and anchorages are determined by the tides, the weather conditions and the wishes of those on board, with the Skipper making the final decision. There will be opportunities every day to go ashore and explore remote islands and coastlines.
An expert Wildlife Guide on shore trips
A unique service of Hebrides Cruises is to have a Wildlife Guide to accompany guests on walks; our Wildlife Guides and other Crew are immensely knowledgeable about the islands of the Hebrides and their history and wildlife, so be prepared to be educated! We have identified many one-way walking routes where a drop-off at the beginning and pick-up at the end by boat tender makes the excursion a perfect pleasure.
Close encounters and camaraderie make a never-to-be forgotten cruise
Our vessels are equipped to get up close to rugged and otherwise inaccessible sea stacks and coastlines to view large gatherings of sea birds and other rare wildlife, providing a never-to-be-forgotten close encounter with nature. After dinner is a special time when guests and crew together celebrate a fitting end to a great day at sea, with many tales to be told and perhaps a dram or two, often enhanced by a glorious sunset, moonlight on the water or a sky full of stars.
I was longing to be aboard “Lucy Mary” again ever since stepping off her at the end of my cruise last September; I had felt surely it couldn’t be as good again - but it was. During the entire trip the 4 crew members worked extremely hard to make sure we had a thoroughly enjoyable time, with enthusiasm, professionalism and friendliness. It was great having Abbie as our charming and efficient steward again: I must mention her inventive table decorations, a beautiful highlight of every dinner time. The other three crew were new to me but outstanding. Jaya created mouth-watering meals and treats, with a zesty approach to the food, and indeed to life in general, which was very appealing. Lynsey as wildlife guide was supremely good, sharing her remarkable knowledge of the area and its wildlife so that we saw, heard and learned about many places, animals, birds and plants which would have gone unnoticed or unidentified had she not been there. All of the wonders we saw would, of course, have been unreachable without Lewis the skipper, who did his utmost to take us to all the places we were hoping to visit - with great success. The glorious weather, coupled with Lewis’s skilful handling of the boat and his careful route planning in conjunction with Lynsey and ourselves, gave us opportunities for reaching stunning destinations. There was plenty of time to savour all the experiences, whether on land by tender trips ashore or at sea by Lewis’s willingness to slow or stop for us to observe dolphins, whales, seals, seabirds. A crew working together for the best possible outcome and an amiable group of fellow passengers, travelling on a delightful boat in an area so rich in natural beauty, gave me another unforgettable cruise. Thanks wholeheartedly and see you next year!
Stephanie: 13 May 2024Skye, the Small Isles and the Shiants