Hebridean International Cruises is the UK's premier small cruise ship company.
The Company comprises two small ships - Hebridean Princess and Hebridean Spirit. Accommodating 49 and 98 guests respectively, the ships are more akin in size and atmosphere to a floating boutique hotel, or a large private yacht, than a modern cruise ship.
Unlike most other cruise operators, Hebridean International Cruises does everything in house, ensuring quality and consistency, as well as maintaining the highest standards of friendly care, attention and service for its guests.
HEBRIDEAN SPIRIT
Launched in July 2001, Hebridean Spirit accommodates 98 people, looked after by a highly experienced crew of about 70. The ship features an outstanding restaurant, intimate bar, luxurious sun deck, and small but perfectly formed spa. What differentiates Hebridean Spirit from other 'luxury'' cruises is as much what you don't get on board, as what you do. No discos, no gambling machines, no 'variety' shows and no enforced jollity. In short, large quantities of discreet style served up in elegant surroundings - and no kitsch. A distinguished roll call of guest speakers are chosen as much for their unfailing ability to entertain as their specialist knowledge
The ship's itineraries follow the sun. Her small size allows her to cruise to destinations as diverse as, remote Sicilian and Greek islands, South Africa, The Red and Black Sea , the Caribbean and rivers and canals not accessible to larger vessels. A full-time route researcher meticulously plans the unusual and in many cases quite unique voyages together with very special shore visits, allowing guests to experience each port of call as a well-connected guest rather than a tourist.
Adding to the atmosphere of relaxed luxury is the fact that with the exception of drinks from our fine wines and spirit library everything is included in the price. For Hebridean Spirit's Summer programme the price also includes flights between the UK and the ship on our Private Charter aircraft, and for the Winter Scheduled return flights.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS
In contrast, Hebridean Princess appeals to those who enjoy the gentle pleasures of going not very far yet still in luxury and style. Navigating the Hebrides, Scotland's rugged and remote west coast, and the dramatic coast of Ireland, Hebridean Princess covers approximately 300 miles and sails an average of 24 hours in a typical seven nights' cruise, venturing to Norway in Summer months.
The smallest luxury cruise ship in the world, with a crew of around 38 looking after 49 guests, Hebridean Princess has a loyal following.
The combination of Hebridean Princess' relaxed elegance and the majesty of her surroundings have proved immensely popular and the ship now has an ever-growing band of loyal admirers. In a fiercely competitive market, 60% of all guests are repeat bookings, a statistic that speaks volumes.
Overview
Company Description |
|
The holding company of Hebridean International Cruises is Hebridean Cruises, PLC which acquired IML Holdings, the parent company of HIC on 12th March 1998. Two ships - Hebridean Princess and Hebridean Spirit |
|
|
|
Managing Director |
|
Mike Deegan |
|
|
|
Reservations |
|
Tel: 01756 704704; Fax: 01756 704794 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Website |
|
|
Hebridean Princess
|
||
Description |
|
Hebridean International Cruises ' five-star flagship. With around 50 guests looked after by a crew of 38, Hebridean Princess has, throughout her nineteen years of operation, become one of the most successful small luxury cruise ships, offering her passengers a unique cruising experience |
|
|
|
Home Port |
|
Oban |
|
|
|
Registration |
|
Glasgow |
|
|
|
Launched |
|
Built in 1964 for Caledonian MacBrayne Limited and re-launched as a commercial cruising vessel in 1989 |
|
|
|
Detail |
|
Length: 72 metres; beam: 14 metres; draught: 3 metres; gross tonnage: 2112; average speed 12 knots (14 miles per hour) |
|
|
|
Master |
|
Captain Michael Hepburn, ,Captain Ian Stevenson |
|
|
|
Chief Pursers |
|
Charles Carroll |
|
|
|
Accommodation |
|
30 bedrooms on board, all named after West Coast Scottish islands, castles, sounds, lochs and bays - individually designed in the style of a large country hotel - with 11 cabins specifically designed for single occupancy |
|
|
|
Cruising Period |
|
March - November |
|
|
|
Destinations |
|
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 and the Orkney and Shetland Isles, the east coast of Ireland and Norway for four cruises in 2008. |
|
|
|
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. Our Footloose series presents the opportunity to immerse yourself on scenic walks in the stunning scenery of Scotland and Norway. The common denominator is spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and remote locations. Most nights, the ship anchors in sea lochs or bays far from habitation. |
|
|
|
Prices from |
|
From £890 for a 4 night cruise and £1920 for a 7 night cruise, per person. Cruises of 4, 6, 7, and 8 nights. |
|
|
|
Included |
|
All meals, specially selected wines, spirits and champagne on board, soft drinks, Privately escorted tours, gratuities, pier and harbour dues. |
|
|
|
Hebridean Spirit
|
||
Description |
|
Hebridean Spirit is Hebridean International Cruises ' second ship and was chosen as one of the 10 "Coolest" Cruises in UltraTravel Magazine." In contrast to her sister ship, Hebridean Spirit provides opportunities to visit more distant destinations with itineraries designed to follow the sun. She accommodates around 98guests, looked after by a dedicated crew of around 70. |
|
|
|
Registration |
|
Glasgow |
|
|
|
Launched |
|
3rd July 2001 by HRH The Princess Royal. Refitted at a cost of £4.5 million, Hebridean Spirit was originally built as Renaissance 6 in 1991, after which she was sold to Sun Cruises and subsequently, to Star Cruises, for whom she traded as Megastar Capricorn |
|
|
|
Detail |
|
Length: 90.6; beam: 15.3 metres; draught: 4.2 metres; gross tonnage: 4200; average speed: 14.5 knots. Features E'SPA Health Club |
|
|
|
Masters |
|
Captain Brian Larcombe, Captain Clive Parton |
|
|
|
Chief Pursers |
|
Peter Buckley, Anthony Stevens |
|
|
|
Accommodation |
|
49 bedrooms named after the Scottish islands, castles, clans and glens of the ship's homeland - 34 twin or double rooms and 16 rooms especially designed for the single traveller. The two premier suites are St Columba and St Oran. |
|
|
|
Cruising Period |
|
Year-round |
|
|
|
Destinations |
|
Feb 2008: Ecuador, Peru, South America March 2008: Panama Canal, Columbia, Venezuela, West Caribbean, Cuba, Bermuda, Islands of Turks and Caicos April 2008: Azores, Portugal, Gibraltar, Spain, Minorca, Majorca May 2008: Spain, France, Tuscany, June 2008: France, Italy, Corsica, Sicily, Greece including Nafplion, Kefalonia, Corinth Canal: July 2008: Greece including Crete, Rhodes, Nafplion, Mykonos, Syros, The Dodecanese, and The Cyclades, Turkey. August 2008: Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria-Black Sea, Greece, Turkey. September 2008: Corinth Canal, Albania, Greece including Corfu, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, Italy, Slovenia October 2008: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece including Crete, Albania, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia. November 2008: Seychelles, Aldabra Atol, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar. December 2008: South Africa including Cape Town, Mozambique. January 2009: South Africa including Cape Town and Durban, Richards Bay, Namibia. February 2009: Mozambique, South Africa including Mossel bay and Port Elizabeth. March 2009: South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles. |
|
|
|
Cruises |
|
Hebridean Spirit itineraries are designed to follow the warmth of the sun. Most cruise itineraries feature daily visits ashore via the ship's small boats to virtually unvisited bays and islands, historic and cultural sites throughout the western hemisphere. Specialist guides accompany all cruises. |
|
|
|
Prices from |
|
From £2544 for a 6 night cruise and £7815 for a 16 night cruise, per person. Cruises of 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16 nights |
|
|
|
Included |
|
All meals, specially selected wines, spirits and champagne, soft drinks and beers, tea, coffee and other hot drinks, Privately escorted tours, gratuities, pier and harbour dues. For the Summer programme 2008 Private Flights between Stansted Airport and the Ship. For Footloose in the Azores and New and Ancient Wonders of the world, scheduled outbound and inbound flights. Guests joining our Private Flights for Summer & Autumn 2008 will enjoy the luxury of a private check-in at Stansted's Inflite Terminal, an exclusive area with excellent service and a relaxing unhurried approach. For our winter Programmes all scheduled outbound and scheduled inbound flights. |