BERTH: Oban
REGISTRATION: Glasgow
COMPANY DESCRIPTION: The holding company of Hebridean Island Cruises is All Leisure Holidays Limited, part of All Leisure Group plc, which acquired the company on April 22nd 2009. One ship - Hebridean Princess.
NORTH AMERICAN OFFICE: All Discovery Cruising www.alldiscoverycruising.com
Steven Novello, President
Ivonne Brown, Vice President, Sales & Marketing
CAPTAINS: Captain Michael Hepburn, Captain Ian Stevenson
CHIEF PURSER: David Indge, Charles Carroll
CHEF DE CUISINE: Paul Sim
CREW: The ship's complement consists of 15 deck and engine crew, 22 hotel staff, and one ship's guide.
ACCOMMODATION:
30 individually designed bedrooms named after West Coast Scottish islands, castles, sounds, lochs and bays. The Isle of Arran Suite comprises a large separate dayroom, a spacious bedroom and a luxuriously equipped Victorian-style marble bathroom. 10 of the bedrooms are specifically designed for single occupancy. (When dining those travelling alone are customarily placed at tables with up to five other single guests and are usually hosted by a senior officer and the ship's guide.)
CABIN FEATURES:
All bedrooms incorporate generous wardrobe space, drawers and dressing tables, TV (with satellite channels), personal safe, fridge and coffee/tea-making facilities, hair dryer, and ironing board/trouser press, while many bedrooms also have DVD players.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
The principle element of a holiday on Hebridean Princess is relaxation. Evening entertainment is deliberately limited to occasional visits from local singers and ceilidh bands.
Recreational facilities on board include:
DINING:
PUBLIC ROOMS:
DESTINATIONS:
Hebridean Princess sails in amongst the islands and along the coastline of Scotland's West Coast, from Cape Wrath to the Mull of Kintyre. She also crosses The Minch to the outer Hebrides and St Kilda. Hebridean Princess visits the Orkney and Shetland Isles, In 2011 she will also be cruising to Ireland, The sounth coast of England, Channel Islands, Wales & Northern France.
CRUISES:
Most one-week cruises start from Oban and visit islands and remote coastal villages, concentrating on those inaccessible destinations normally visited only by private yachts. Some cruises have themes: castles, gardens, walking or cycling. The common denominator is spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and remote, peaceful locations. Most nights, the ship anchors in sea lochs or bays far from habitation.
FOOTLOOSE PROGRAMME:
The Footloose selection includes both serious walking, gentle strolling and some cycling in spectacular and little visited Scotland, Ireland, with the benefit of local knowledge provided by experienced guides. Guests are asked to bring their own walking boots; however specially built, featherlight Cannondale bikes are provided.
SHORE VISITS:
A fleet of tenders ferry guests safely to and from the vessel with embarkation and disembarkation supervised by a senior officer. At least one guide escorts all excursions ashore and is on hand at meal times at one of the singles' tables.
INCLUDED WITHIN THE TARIFF:
ADDITIONAL CHARGES:
The only items not included within the tariff are wines and spirits from the Connoisseur's Collection, telephone calls, emails and fax and any items purchased from the shop on board.
CURRENCY ON BOARD:
Pounds sterling.
DRESS:
During the day, dress is casual. It is recommended that guests bring with them sweaters, anoraks and non-slip shoes for use on deck and when going ashore. Certain cruises visit remote locations where heavy-soled shoes or walking boots are recommended. After days ashore in casual clothes, guests prefer to dress more smartly and gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket and tie.
There are two gala evenings on each seven-night cruise, when the senior officers dress formally and many gentlemen prefer to dress in dinner jackets, tuxedos or kilts, although lounge suits are acceptable.
SMOKING:
Smoking is not allowed inside the vessel at any time and is not permitted in cabins. Smoking is allowed only on the outer decks, and guests occupying balcony cabins and are asked to show consideration to other balcony users.
Weather in the Western Isles
· Rainfall - rainfall varies significantly. The driest months are usually April and May
· Sunshine - the brightest sunshine can be expected in May or June
· Temperature - the highest temperatures can be expected in June, July and August
· Gales - June and July have the lowest incidence of gales
CHILDREN:
There are no facilities on board for children under the age of nine.
NIGHT SAILING:
Few itineraries involve an over-night sail. Most sailing takes place during the period 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. to take advantage of the spectacular scenery.
KEEPING IN TOUCH:
Guests may use the satellite communications system installed on the Bridge. There is also free use of the internet including Wi- fi.
SOLE USE:
Hebridean Princess is available for private charter and interested parties should contact Mike Deegan, Group Operations Director at Hebridean Island Cruises .
TRAVEL & LUGGAGE ASSISTANCE:
Hebridean representatives and staff are on hand to assist with baggage handling on boarding the private chartered coach at Glasgow Airport and the railway station.
AFFILIATIONS:
Hebridean Princess is a member of Connoisseurs Scotland and Pride of Britain. She is also a member of the Passenger Shipping Association, a British body representing the cruise ship and ferry industry.