Berth: Oban

Registration: Glasgow

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

Managing Director: Mike Deegan

Marketing & Sales Director: Ken Charleson

Masters: Captain Michael Hepburn

Chief Pursers: Charles Carroll, Fiona Ripley

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. 11 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 video 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. A once-weekly roulette session is the only form of gambling and is designed to raise money for the RNLI. The average take is around £100.

Recreational facilities on board include:

• A well-stocked library, magazines, a video library, and various board games such as chess, draughts, Monopoly, Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit
• The Waterfront Deck Gym
• Clay pigeon shooting on the Boat Deck
• Bicycles available for shore visits
• Fishing expeditions and speedboat rides

DINING:

• Five chefs, under the supervision of Paul Sim, devise haute cuisine menus using locally sourced ingredients. The highlights of the week's cruise are the two black-tie gala dinners
• Breakfast is served both in the restaurant and in guests' private rooms
• Lunch fits in with the day's events and dinner is served from 7.30 p.m.
• Morning snacks and afternoon tea are provided in the lounge areas and on deck. Tea and coffee is served all day in the Tiree Lounge, while coffee is also available on the Skye Deck and in the Conservatory from 7.30 a.m.
• Given advance notice, most dietary requirements can be catered for and the crew will obtain guests' preferred alcoholic beverages if they are not already in stock on board

PUBLIC ROOMS:

• The Columba Restaurant - superb Scottish cuisine, based on the freshest of local produce, served in gracious wood-panelled surroundings. There are no multiple sittings and with the exception of single travellers, couples are seated at individual tables
• The Look-Out Lounge - comfortable sitting-room for smokers with large picture windows. There is a small honesty bar for the convenience of guests
• The Conservatory - another comfortable room with large picture windows and filled with a mass of plants
• The Tiree Lounge - fitted with large picture windows on three sides. There is an intimate bar and a large Inglenook-style fireplace
• The Library - leather club armchairs and sofa, writing facilities, a wide selection of books, and a collection of videos and board games
• The Skye Deck - sheltered sun deck with bar serving drinks, tea and coffee. Weather permitting, barbeques and lunches are held on deck
• The Boat Deck - panoramic deck situated aft of the funnel featuring spectacular all-round views and comfortable teak steamer chairs. Steward service is available

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. For 2007, Hebridean Princess visits the Orkney and Shetland Isles, Ireland, and visits Norway on three itineraries in July, sailing from Scrabster in Scotland. For the first time, her Norwegian programme features a spectacular walking cruise in the fjords with guided walks for the serious walker and the stroller.

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 and Norway, 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

• Entrance fees to all castles, gardens and other attractions listed in the itineraries
• Coach tours and snacks or meals taken ashore, as shown in the itineraries
• Use of the ship's small boats, including the speedboat
• All house wines from the Sommelier's Selection wine list and beers from the ship's bar and restaurant
• All meals, including snacks, fresh fruit and refreshments throughout the day in the lounges, on deck and in guests' private rooms
• Ship's bicycles, use of the mini-gym and fishing tackle
• Pier and harbour dues
• Gratuities - tips are not expected

ADDITIONAL CHARGES:
The only items not included within the tariff are wines and spirits from the Connoisseur's Collection, telephone calls, emails 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 permitted in the bedrooms, restaurant, library, the Conservatory or the Tiree Lounge.
Cigarettes, pipes and cigars can be enjoyed in the Look Out Lounge on the same deck.

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.

SOLE USE:
Hebridean Princess is available for private charter and interested parties should contact Ken Charleson, Marketing and Sales Director or alternatively, his secretary, Kaye Slater, at Hebridean International 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. The Hebridean Princess Tartan Air Service at Glasgow and Heathrow Airports provides guests with assistance at check-in.

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.

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