Cruise Directory Highlands & Islands of Scotland Northern Ireland & the Isle of Man
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2016 Cruise Directory Highlands & Islands of Scotland Northern Ireland & The Isle of Man By appointment to HM The Queen Provision of cruise holidays on Hebridean Princess All Leisure Holidays Ltd, trading as Hebridean Island Cruises Welcome to the 2016 Hebridean Princess Cruise Directory With around 65% of our guests returning each year to sail on board Hebridean Princess, it is imperative that our standard of service never falls short of what is expected – exceptional. For us, guest enjoyment is paramount to the success of Hebridean Island Cruises and this includes the enviable reputation that Hebridean Princess has come to enjoy during her 27 seasons of operation. Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many guests and from the comments and feedback provided on After Cruise Questionnaires, it is pleasing to learn that we appear to be getting most things right. We cannot, however, be complacent and we know that we must strive to im- prove our product. This winter, during our annual refit and maintenance period, we seized the opportunity to refurbish many of the public areas on board in- cluding the Tiree Lounge, the Conservatory, the Look-Out Lounge and the Li- brary. We pride ourselves on everything we do and our common goal is to ensure that each and every guest is provided with the highest quality of service, care and attention to detail in every possible way. We very much look forward to welcoming you on board in 2016. Best regards Ken Charleson Chief Operating Officer Contents Genuinely fully-inclusive 2 Crew 3 Life on board – public rooms 4-7 Dining and cuisine 8-9 Going ashore 10-11 Themed cruises, guest speakers and guides 12-13 Partnerships 14 Belmond Royal Scotsman train 15 Islands A-Z 16-19 Cruise itineraries 20-97 Cabins 98-104 Good connections 105 On board A-Z 106-107 What you need to know 108 Cabin facilities 109 Deck plans 110 99% of our guests have told us they had an enjoyable holiday 98% have told us they would consider cruising on Hebridean Princess again 99% of our guests would recommend Hebridean Princess to others * Percentages are based on our 2014 cruising season and are calculated from the total of returned After-Cruise Questionnaires Hebridean Princess, Loch Linnhe Hebridean Princess Genuinely fully-inclusive and more... Each cruise includes Port taxes All pier and harbour dues. Meals and drinks All meals on board and ashore, snacks Gratuities and picnics as shown in the itineraries Hebridean operates a ‘no tipping’ and fresh fruit from baskets around policy. the ship. Champagne, wines (excluding wines on the Library Wines list), plus A celebration beers, spirits, soft drinks, tea, coffee If you plan to mark a special occasion and other hot drinks. on board, perhaps a wedding anniversary or birthday, we will be Shore visits only too happy to help you celebrate Entrance fees to all castles, gardens by arranging for Champagne, a cake and other places of interest, as well or canapés, to enjoy in the privacy as transfers between the ship and of your cabin, or maybe share with each destination ashore, as shown in family and friends in the Library. the itineraries. To celebrate these happy moments in true Hebridean style, please place Guides and guest speakers a special request through our Knowledgeable guides accompany reservations staff. all cruises, both on board and on the tours ashore, with three experienced Not included guides on the Footloose walking • Travel to and from our private itineraries. Guest speakers feature on coach transfer points selected cruises. • Wines on the Library Wines list Bicycles • Any private shore visits organised Use of the ship’s bicycles to by request which are not part of explore ashore. the cruise itinerary Internet • Personal telephone calls Free Wi-Fi access and use of the • Items purchased from the ship’s iPads, located in the Library. Hebridean Princess shop Transfers and car parking • Personal laundry Private coach transfers from the local Travel with family and friends airport or train station to and from If you would prefer to holiday with Hebridean Princess. For those your family and friends, why not wishing to drive, secure parking is invite them to join you on board provided at the port. Hebridean Princess, for the supreme Insurance cruising experience? Single trip travel insurance. Charters Restrictions may apply. Alternatively enjoy the ultimate Extra activities private party afloat and charter Hebridean Princess for up to At no extra charge, your holiday can 50 guests. be made even more enjoyable with fishing trips and speedboat rides, which can be arranged on request. 2 Crew At Hebridean Island Cruises we believe it is simply not possible to look after large numbers of guests properly and give them the really personal service that differentiates an extraordinary holiday from a merely good one. That is why, on Hebridean Princess, you will find only 50 like-mined souls and no fewer than 38 crew to look after you. If you would like to be known by Discreet service is the bedrock of your name within moments of our reputation and the uncannily coming on board, to have your accurate anticipation of your needs is smallest preferences remembered, a skill that our crew has developed then mass-market style cruising will into almost an art form. never be a satisfactory alternative. For us, resoluteness in the pursuit of Everything we do receives the same perfection is something for which, in level of care and attention; from the our view, there is no alternative. carefully conceived shore visits to the Behind the scenes we will be striving spectacular overnight anchorages, day and night to ensure that yours is the exquisite menus and the unique the best holiday you have taken. and individually designed cabins, Your job is to simply sit back, relax every little detail aims to ensure that and slow down – Hebridean style! the whole experience is so complete that you will never even notice. Captain Richard Heaton Captain Trevor Bailey 3 Tiree Lounge Life on board – public rooms After an energetic walk ashore, Having recently undergone a major providing cosy areas grouped the comfort and homeliness of makeover by renowned interior around perhaps the most extraordinary designers John Dick & Son, the public feature of the ship – a brick Hebridean Princess welcomes rooms on board Hebridean Princess inglenook fireplace! you back as though to your own offer a truly cosy and welcoming home; and that is how we, and atmosphere. ‘A Floating Country House’ is how we more importantly our guests, like have described Hebridean Princess The Tiree Lounge, with its intimate for many years and remain true to the to think of this unusual little ship. bar, is the social focal point; original description. Fifty like-minded ‘Like home but better’ is how she beautifully designed and filled with guests mix in a convivial atmosphere has previously been described. soft armchairs and welcoming sofas and create a house party mood. 4 Tiree Lounge Conservatory Library Tiree Lounge 5 Library Look-Out Lounge Library 6 Library In the peaceful wood-panelled Painted, rattan furniture brings a Library a masculine feel has been casual feel to the Conservatory created, using leather, unique and the natural look has been upholstery and dark woods and complemented by the beautifully should a spot of solitude appeal, restored teak flooring. A wonderfully there is a fine selection of reference calm space to enjoy the scenery. and general interest books to be enjoyed. The emphasis on low key entertainment is complemented by The soft tones furnishing the Look-Out the gentle art of conversation and Lounge flow seamlessly from the the certain knowledge that fellow Look-Out Lounge colour palette in the foyer areas, guests have chosen this style of creating a relaxing space to take in holiday as much for what it doesn’t the stunning views. offer as for what it does. Conservatory Conservatory 7 Columba Restaurant Dining and cuisine The Columba Restaurant, with its cherry-wood panelling, fine artworks and discreet lighting is a romantic venue to enjoy the genial ambiance. Single-sitting dining means that your designated table for two awaits and, for solo travellers, the senior Officers invite guests to join them in convivial groups. 8 It is said that sea air stimulates the Dinners and most lunches are served with fresh fruit, home-baked breads, appetite and it is certainly our in the elegant Columba Restaurant, cooked Scottish fayre and of course, experience that, after a morning or through whose large windows the Chef’s own take on that Scottish afternoon ashore, guests are eager to scenery glides by as you dine. On staple (porridge), with or without a be taken to the very finest destinations occasions, lunch may be served al wee dram! of haute cuisine created by a talented fresco and, on certain cruises, Chef brigade of chefs and lead by will take his skills ashore and produce Our Gala Dinners are sparkling Scotland’s finest culinary artists. a legendary Hebridean picnic – an occasions, from the Champagne extraordinary contrast to the rugged reception in the Tiree Lounge to Only the freshest and finest scenery in which it will be served. a gourmet dinner – and no cruise ingredients are used in our menu would be complete without a choices, most of which are procured Breakfasts are informal and are as traditional recital of Robert Burns’ from local suppliers. healthy or as hearty as you choose Address to the Haggis! 9 Going ashore Unlike most cruise ships, a Hebridean Princess cruise includes a large number of shore visits. From cultural to historical, serious walking and biking to simply strolling around the bay, the opportunities to experience the peace are endless.