Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons 6-nights

17 September 2024

I have already recommeded Hebrides Cruises to two of my sisters.  It was extra special, we cannot fault anything with the crew (James, Bella, Abbie, Sammy and Will) or the vessel Lucy Mary.  Everyday was designed to enrich our experience, and I do not believe one can ask for anymore.  The entire crew are a huge assest to the company.  

Martin Gorringe

17 September 2024

We booked up this cruise over a year in advance as it seemed so popular. When we did it we saw why. It was all and more we had anticipated and that in no small part is down to the fantastic skipper and crew. They treated us more like family than paying guests and did all they could to ensure we had a great time. The islands are beautiful in their own right but with the expert knowledge of the skipper we went to secluded bays and gorgeous beaches and always moored somewhere with amazing views. Thanks To Bella the wildlife guide we saw things we would have missed ourselves and we were treated to sea eagles, porpoises, dolphins and a few minke whales! Sammy fed us like royalty with imaginative and super tasty meals and then there was the daily homemade cakes. Yum. Abbie looked after everything on board even down to different table decorations every night and chocs on the pillow. Will was always polishing or painting and taking us shore in the tender. All in all a brilliant holiday and we have already booked up our next one.

Mark Duncan

14 September 2024

We loved the cruise. The weather went from bad (day 1-2) to glorious and the wonderful crew (Skipper Charlie, Lynsey, Chef Charlie and Sofia) adapted accordingly, from sheltering in a very protected inlet on the first night to prosecco and homemade cheese straws on a beautiful deserted beach in the sunshine at the end. The scenery is stunning and the wildlife sightings were good for the time of year - dolphins, porpoises, a minke whale, eagles, gannets...Lynsey is a brilliant spotter and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the walks, which gave us a little insight into each island, and the food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. Thank you all for being a great team and for looking after us so well.

Liz and Mike Morris

14 September 2024

Amazing, We were lucky with the weather and had 5days unbroken sunshine. This was the icing on one of Izzys lovely cakes. We were lucky to see everything we hoped to see from Minke Whale to Golden Eagle and everything in between. George was a brilliant  guide who knew where to look and what we were looking at. Izzy should be on Masterchef, Craig was a brilliant/caring  Steward/Bosun/Cleaner/everything and Skipper Chris was brilliant at negotiating the sometimes choppy seas around the islands  and finding  Idyllic anchorages for the nights.  Excellent We would give it more stars if they were available. We booked the cruise to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary and the crew made every effort to make it special. From Izzy's celebration cake  to the Anniversary card which they all  signed.  Thank you all.

Geoff & Stella Rowland

14 September 2024

The scenery was spectacular, the choice and order of the itinerary was excellent.  The Skipper and Guide were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and interesting.  The weather was glorious!  An excellent team that went out of their way to ensure that everyone was happy and enjoying their holiday.  All extremely hardworking, friendly and cheerful.  

Adrian Dack

14 September 2024

We think you have all the right ingredients already.  The things like the weather and the wildlife sightings which are the 'icing on the cake' cannot be controlled, but you all try your best to accommodate and thats all anyone can ask.  Outstanding, thank you for making our holiday so enjoyable.  Chris exceptional in finding the best routes as per weather conditions and always ready to divert off course for sightings of more wildlife to give us all the best advantage of seeing and experiencing as much as possible. Thank you.

R Smith

14 September 2024

Hi Emma - I am sure the other members of our party will drop you a line as I am equally sure I speak for us all today.  I cannot thank you enough for organising our trip the other week. In truth all of us had some mild 'trepidations' about what it would be like but I can say that we had a marvellous time.  I want to be specific here. Our skipper, Charlie, was a revelation and we owe him a great deal for making our trip so exciting and enjoyable. He exemplifies a 'duty of care'; put all of our minds at rest when we concerned about the weather and adapted his plans to ensure we had the best of times. He ran a great crew and we all felt confident and secure in his leadership. He was also great company and nothing was ever too much. I told him that you have our details here and if he is ever in Merseyside he should contact us. Please pass my details should he ever request.  The guide, Lindsay was first class. Knowledgeable, personable and patient with ' elderly knees' she made a great contribution to our trip. We all loved her guided tours of the islands, her knowledge of the wildlife and her choice of the best routes for the conditions.  The evening briefing with her and Charlie, reflecting on the day and discussing prospects for the the following day were really enjoyable. Made you feel you were part of something..we all agreed.  I have to mention Charlie the cook.  Charlie's food was first class. We all agreed that it was rare, and we are well travelled, to have that quality food so consistently. Please thank her. And last but NOT least the 'human dynamo' Sofia. She described her role a the stewardess which we all felt was an understatement. In truth we were constantly amazed at how efficient she was in everything she did. Her dinner table settings, her service and her engaging manner were a delight. A first class employee in my view.  They were a great crew and exceptionally well lead. I know you are booked up for the future but I am sure we would all agree that if we ever decide on a trip to the Hebrides we would choose you company..,.and the Emma Jane.  Thanks to all - Bill frost

Bill Frost

25 May 2024

Very happy with the itinerary, Skye and Tobermory were a bonus.  We had the best Skipper Rob undoubtedly and probably the best team.  Nicola is first class at fine dining and Sophia a welcoming, cheerful and talented steward and Zoe a bright and intelligent guide and wildlife expert.  Stick with a company that is family run.  

D Bennett

27 April 2024

From the first contact to the final farewell, this couldn't have been a better experience. This particular cruise was perfect for me as a novice cruiser who suffers from sea-sickness! I'm now a convert.... six days was enough for my first trip but I'd be delighted to go for longer with Hebrides Cruises now. We were very lucky with the weather - only a day and a half of rain - and the sea was calm. The staff on land and the crew on board looked after us so well. The wildlife guide had an exceptional wealth of knowledge, the bosun could turn his hand to anything from origami napkins to cleaning the anchor chain, the cook should offer master classes in haute cuisine in a tiny galley and the skipper took decisions based on the conditions so that we had the best chance of seeing wildlife. All were professional and considerate, and relaxed. While the space on board is 'compact', it is a charming vessel with everything provided. I can't recommend this cruise highly enough!

Milly Goddard

9 September 2023

Oh dear. I had an incredible time on the Emma Jane last year, such a life altering experience that I was just a little nervous; it couldn’t possibly be as good again, could it? But it was…no, it was better. It might feel like happy accident to get good conditions, find amazing sealife, or really feel at home on a boat with twelve strangers, but of course it’s not; it skill, experience, planning, hard work and kindness. This is family, a family business that has created an ethos and atmosphere that flows through the crew (on shore and at sea) so that you feel totally at ease as you are taken by the hand and shown the wonders of the Hebrides. Vanessa, the steward, was bright, attentive and lovely. Chef Nicola cooked and baked delicious and varied food and is the sweetest and happiest person. Lynsay, wow, capable, knowledgeable and a hawkeye that never failed to spot or identify the multitudinous sealife, plus she’s the beautiful artist on display all over the boat! And Skipper Bren, so relaxed and accomplished that everyone assumed it was his umpteenth season on the Emma Jane…I hope he’s tempted back many more times. Thank you so much for showing me such incredible places, giving me unique experiences and indulging a chatty singleton who kept peeling off to sing in caves or check out the Mishnish’s 80-/ and random locals! I really appreciated the care, attention and honesty of the crew, they clearly love their jobs, had endless patience and are really interesting people to talk with. I can’t wait to come back and have booked another cruise aboard the Emma Jane; can it possibly be as good as this one? I’m not nervous. x

Ellen Orrock