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.
Dear Emma - I wanted to write a proper thank you for our cruise. I know you have all moved seamlessly to creating a special experience for the next sets of guests, but you must know that you, the whole team ashore and aboard, have once again created a treasure-trove of memories for our family. It’s hard to believe that a week ago we woke up on Lucy Mary looking at Lismore lighthouse. The whole experience was so perfect it’s like we stepped into another world at the end of the pontoon. The Hebrides are glorious and we were very lucky with the weather, but we know that the rest of the perfection comes from a great deal of skill, organisation, talent, and very hard work. You and James have created and inspired a team which not only provides five star service but also radiates fun, imagination, attention to detail and compassion. Indy’s enthusiasm is so infectious. Sammy somehow managed to make everyone’s favourite food and serve exactly what everyone wanted to eat. It was wonderful to see Will’s growing confidence; his rock-pooling was a revelation and we did so appreciate the shining windows and the flying tender and the great piles of coats and shoes and lifejackets that were all kept shipshape. Abbie is a marvel; there is no single thing to thank her for, but a million little things, which together create a feeling of welcome, safety, beauty and comfort. As well as a great leader of the team, James is an intuitive, talented and hugely knowledgeable skipper and we all loved being on the bridge looking at charts and searching for lights and beasties (and doing fast and bumpy on the tender). A heartfelt thank you from each and every one of us, especially me. I had the best time, doing what I love and knowing everyone else was happy too. With love
F Mylchreest: 10 April 2025Private Charter 10 Nights