Hebridean Princess - Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Hebridean Princess

★★★★ +

Berlitz’s Ratings

Ship: 410 out of 500

Accommodation: 174 out of 200

Food: 349 out of 400

Service: 342 out of 400

Entertainment: 84 out of 100

Cruise: 319 out of 400

Overall Score: 1678 out of 2000

Hebridean Princess Statistics

Size: Boutique Ship

Tonnage: 2,112

Lifestyle: Luxury

Cruise Line: Hebridean Island Cruises

Former Names: Columba

IMO Number: 6409351

Builder: Hall Russell (Scotland)

Original Cost: n/a

Entered Service: 1964/May 1989

Registry: Great Britain

Length (ft/m): 235.0/71.6

Beam (ft/m): 46.0/14.0

Draft (ft/m): 10.0/3.0

Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (1,790kW)/2

Passenger Decks: 5

Total Crew: 38

Passengers (lower beds): 50

Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 42.2

Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 1.3

Cabins (total): 30

Size Range (sq ft/m): 144.0-340.0/13.4-31.6

Cabins (for one person): 10

Cabins (with private balcony): 4

Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 0

Wheelchair accessibility: None

Cabin Current: 240 volts

Elevators: 0

Casino (gaming tables): No

Slot Machines: No

Swimming Pools: 0

Hot Tubs (on deck): 0

Self-Service Launderette: No

Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No

Library: Yes

Onboard currency: UK£

Hebridean_Princess

This English country inn afloat is the real McCoy

Overview. This charming little ship has a warm, totally cosseted, traditional Scottish country house ambience and a stately home service that’s unobtrusive but always at hand when you need it. It suits mature-age adult couples and single travelers who enjoy learning about the natural sciences, geography, history, gardening, art, architecture, and enjoy a very small ship with almost no entertainment.

The Ship. Small and old can be chic and comfortable. Hebridean Princess, originally one of three Scottish ferries built for David MacBrayne Ltd - although actually owned by the British government - was skillfully converted into a gem of a cruise ship in order to operate island-hopping itineraries in Scotland, together with the occasional jaunt to Norway and an occasional sailing around the UK coast. It was renamed in 1989 by the Duchess of York.

There is an outdoors deck for occasional sunbathing and alfresco meals, as well as a bar where occasional formal cocktail parties are held when weather conditions are right. There is no walk-around promenade deck, although there is an open deck atop ship. The ship carries two Zodiac inflatable runabouts (Calgary and Kiloran) and two Hardy shore tenders (Sanda and Shona).

Use of the ship’s small boats, speedboat, a dozen or so bicycles, and fishing gear are included in the price, as are entrance fees to gardens, castles, other attractions, and the occasional coach tour, depending on the itinerary. The destination-intensive cruises have very creative itineraries and there’s plenty to do, despite the lack of big-ship features. Specialist guides, who give daily talks about the destinations to be visited and some fascinating history and the local folklore, accompany all cruises.

What passengers appreciate is the fact that the ship does not have photographers or some of the trappings found aboard larger ships. They also love the fact that there is no bingo, art auctions, or mindless parlor games.

The principal public room inside the ship is the charming Tiree Lounge, which has a real brick-walled inglenook fireplace, plus a very cozy bar with a wide variety of whiskies - the selection of single malts is excellent - and cognacs for connoisseurs. Naturally, the ship specializes in Scottish spirits.

Agatha Christie’s Inspector Hercule Poirot would be very much at home here, particularly in the Tiree Lounge. Who needs megaships when you can take a retro-cruise aboard this little gem? Direct bookings are accepted.

Hebridean Princess has UK officers and an excellent Lithuanian service crew; all are discreet and provide unobtrusive service. This little ship remains one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets, although Queen Elizabeth II chartered the ship for a family-only celebration of her 80th birthday in 2006, and again for a family holiday in 2010.

A roughly polished gem, it is especially popular with single passengers. More than half the passengers are repeaters. Children under nine are not accepted. Despite the shortcomings of the ship itself, it’s the food that rates highly.

If you cruise from Oban, you can be met at Glasgow station (or airport) and taken to/from the ship by private motor coach. Passengers are piped aboard at embarkation by a Scottish bagpiper - a neat touch. All drinks (except premium brands, which incur a small charge), soft drinks, and bottled Scottish mineral water are included in the fare, as are gratuities - the company requests that no additional gratuities be given.

Although this vessel is strong, it does have structural limitations and noisy engines that cause some vibration. However, the engines do not run at night because the ship anchors before bedtime, providing soul-renewing tranquility - except for the sound of a single generator. The ship doesn’t have an elevator, so anyone with walking disabilities may find it challenging - and there may be several tender ports on each itinerary. It is often cold and very wet in the Scottish highlands and islands, so take plenty of warm clothing for layering.

Accommodation. All cabins have different color schemes and names - there are no numbers, and, refreshingly, no door keys, although cabins can be locked from the inside. No two cabins are identical - they are individually created, with delightfully eclectic curtains, sweeping drapes over the beds, and lots of cushions. They really are quite different from almost all other cruise ships, and come in a wide range of configurations (some with single, some with double, some with twin beds), including four with a private balcony - a private and self-indulgent bonus.

All cabins have a private bathroom with bath or shower (two cabins share a bathroom). All have a refrigerator, ironing board with iron, trouser press, brass clock, and tea/coffee-making set - there’s something magical about getting up in the morning, making fresh tea in your cabin using mineral water and organic teas, and sitting outside on a protected balcony watching Scotland’s islands come and go. All seems right with the world.

Cabins have Victorian-style bathroom fittings, many gold-plated, and some have brass cabin portholes or windows that actually open. Three of the newest cabins are outfitted in real Scottish Baronial style. All towels and bathrobes are 100 percent cotton, as is the bed linen. Some cabins in the front of the ship are subject to the noise of the anchor being weighed each morning.

Each cabin has Villeroy and Boch china, fair trade coffee, organic teas, and fresh milk - not the irradiated long-life milk or chemical milk found aboard many ships these days.

Dining. The Columba Restaurant has ocean-view windows and tables laid with crisp white linen. Classic white Schonwald china is provided. There is a single seating at assigned tables. Some chairs have armrests while some do not. While days are casual, dinner means jackets and ties, and formal attire typically twice per cruise.

The cuisine is extremely creative, and at times outstanding - and about the same quality and presentation as SeaDream I and SeaDream II, although, usually, menus offer just one meat and one fish dish (a different fish each day), plus an alternative, casual option. Fresh, taste-filled ingredients are sourced and purchased locally, supporting Scottish suppliers - a welcome change from the mass catering of most ships. Although there are no flambé items - the galley has electric, not gas, ranges - what is created is beautifully presented and of the highest standard. The desserts are also worth saving space for.

The breakfast menu is standard each day, although you can always ask for any favorites, and each day there’s a specialty item, plus a help-yourself buffet table. Try the porridge and a ‘wee dram’ (Scotch whisky - single malt, of course) - it’s lovely on a cold morning, and it sets you up for the whole day.

Not to be missed is the exclusive theatrical treat ‘a tasting o’ haggis wi’ bashed neeps an champit tatties,’ accompanied by bagpipe music and an ‘address to the haggis’ ceremony, traditionally given by the captain. Although there is waiter service for most things, there is also a good buffet table display during breakfast and luncheon. Wines are provided at lunch and dinner, although an additional connoisseur’s list is available for those seeking fine vintage wines. Highly personal and attentive service from an attentive staff completes the picture.

Entertainment. The Tiree Lounge is the equivalent of a main lounge aboard this very small ship. Dinner is the entertainment of the evening. Occasionally, there might be after-dinner drinks, poetry readings, and an occasional storyteller, but little else (passengers neither expect nor need it).

Spa/Fitness. There is no spa, as the ship is too small. The only concessions to fitness are an exercycle and treadmill.