All Leisure group plc acquires Hebridean Princess

PRESS STATEMENT

All Leisure group plc, which operates Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery is pleased to announce that it has purchased the unique small cruise ship, Hebridean Princess. All Leisure group plc is keen to ensure that the Hebridean Princess will continue to offer distinctive cruises around the Scottish Highlands and islands and through the Norwegian fjords and will continue to operate from its head office in Skipton.

Guests and Travel Agents will be contacted during the next few days with further information.

Lord Sterling - Chairman, Hebridean Island Cruises comments:

“For many years I have admired this highly respected cruise ship and know that it has a tremendous following of people who enjoy exploring our beautiful coastline. I am delighted to have been invited to become Chairman of this highly respected brand, and am pleased to confirm that these cruises will continue to operate as in the past. It is important to preserve well-established and much loved British cruise lines; this latest news underscores our commitment to preserving the best of our shipping heritage.”

Roger Allard - Chairman, All Leisure group plc comments:

“We have been looking to expand our specialist small ship cruise fleet and I welcome Hebridean Princess into our group, enabling us to expand our range of special interest destination cruise holidays. We recognise that the Captain, officers and crew of Hebridean Princess, along with the long-serving and dedicated office staff in Skipton, provide a unique cruising experience, which is cherished by her loyal following.”

Background

With just 30 cabins on board this traditional country house ship, Hebridean Princess has unique characteristics which are enjoyed by a small number of guests who wish to cruise in elegant comfort to the remote areas of our Highlands and Islands. Passengers enjoy cruising in congenial company and perfect tranquillity and proceed ashore to explore the hidden gems of our remotest shores.

www.allleisuregroup.com

Press enquiries to:
Helen Rainford, Missy Mailly-Thompson or Jon Barron.
T: 020 7420 3550
E: helen@completemediagroup.co.uk
or melissa@completemediagroup.co.uk
or jon@completemediagroup.co.uk

Mission Impossible? Not when Hebridean comes to the Rescue

26 June 2008: When the captain of Hebridean Princess received a Mayday call last week, there was no hesitation for this small luxury ship and its passengers to change course and go to the rescue. The yacht in distress ‘Carrol of Barrano’ was aground at the entrance to Loch Sween on Thursday 19th June, just 20 minutes from Hebridean Princess’ position near the Isle of Jura. The passengers were coming to the end of a beautiful 7 day cruise ‘Footloose to the Celtic Isles’ but didn’t hesitate to support the captain’s decision to assist the troubled yacht.

However fortunately, a fast RIB, the ‘Molly James’, was also in the area and was able to reach the grounded yacht quickly and tow her off. Hebridean Island Cruises is very proud to report that throughout the incident Hebridean Princess acted as on-scene communications co-ordinator. This was crucial as both ‘Carol of Barrano’ and ‘Molly James’ had difficulty communicating with Clyde Coastguard. Happily there were no casualties and the yacht sustained no damage, continuing her passage to Tayvallich after the rescue operation was successfully completed.

Scottish cruise for Queen's 80th birthday

By Graham Tibbetts and Nicole Martin

Reproduced by kind permission of the Daily Telegraph

The Queen is to celebrate her 80th birthday next year by chartering a ship for a cruise around the Western Isles of Scotland.

She will be accompanied by Prince Philip and other members of her family on board the Hebridean Princess for the week-long trip, her first set cruise since the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1997.

The voyage will take place in August, four months after her birthday on April 21, and is expected to end with her disembarking at Aberdeen to spend time at Balmoral.

A royal source said last night: "As it is a landmark personal anniversary, the Queen decided to take a cruise as a special holiday.

"When Britannia was up and running it went there every summer round the Western Isles; it's a route the Queen is very familiar with and has a great affinity with. Members of the family will join the cruise as and when they can."

The Queen inspected the vessel, which has 30 bedrooms, a library and clay pigeon shooting facilities, while it was docked at the Pool of London yesterday.

A spokesman for the ship declined to say how much it cost to charter the vessel, which is manned by a crew of 38. However, a tour of the Western Isles would normally cost upwards of £1,500 per person, with the price rising to at least £125,000 to hire the ship.

The source said the costs would be "borne by the Queen from her own private funds".

Buckingham Palace refused to give details of where the Hebridean Princess would sail in the Western Isles "for security reasons".

However, the Queen's itinerary is likely to include the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris.

According to the ship's website, most scheduled one-week cruises start from Oban and visit islands and remote coastal villages that are normally reached only by private yachts. "The common denominator is spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and remote, peaceful locations," it said.

According to the 2006 Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, the Hebridean Princess has "a warm, totally cosseted, traditional country house ambiance and stately home service".

Catering for a maximum 49 guests, it has none of the trappings found aboard larger ships such as glitzy dining rooms and bingo.

A palace spokesman said: "We are simply confirming that the Queen will be taking a special holiday to celebrate her birthday but the details are a private matter."