We are pleased to report that we have retained our Green Tourism Gold Award status for the third consecutive year at very high pass rates in all categories.
We have introduced new green initiatives over the past year which have ensured that we’ve been able to maintain the highest ratings of all aspects relating to our sustainability. We are especially proud of the increase of pass rates in our goals for the “planet” category. As a cruise business, this category is our biggest challenge, but we are definitely making a big difference because of finding innovate ways of addressing this important area. Our report identified that:
Energy improved from 88% to 90%
Water improved from 83% to 93%
Waste improved from 70% to 78%
Carbon improved from 68% to 73%
We encourage our guests to actively participate in our environmental protection efforts by indicating how they can support the environment while visiting the area and on board our cruises. We achieved a 98% rating under the “destination” criteria in providing information to guests on how they can reduce the impact of their visit and respect the cultural heritage of the destination.
Our Green Initiative Crew Member, Lynsey has provided us with her checklist on areas where she feels we can still improve on, while all our crews continuously look for new and innovative ways to improve and maintain our green credentials. These new initiatives include installing lithium batteries with a bluetooth monitoring system which will monitor each battery and its capacity levels. We will also install a water maker on Elizabeth G and a new A+ energy rated oven aboard Emma Jane. Each year, our new identified actions are an investment in our aim to be a truly sustainable tourism company.
Andrea Nicholas, CEO Green Tourism said: “Hebrides Cruises has done a fantastic job in retaining their Gold Green Tourism award and improving their overall score. The team has done an excellent job in maintaining and improving their efforts towards sustainable tourism and engaging guests in the company's green commitment.”
I was fortunate to be on a six day private charter cruise on the Emma Jane. We were very fortunate with our weather given that we travelled at the end of September but what really made the cruise special was the quality of the crew on the vessel. We could not have asked for better. Our skipper (Charlie) was very responsive to our requests or suggestions for places we wanted to visit. Our chef (also called Charlie) was terrific, producing great meals on a series of special themes. Our wildlife guide (George) was brilliant at spotting animal life and helping us to understand their way of living. We especially enjoyed the frequency with which common dolphin took to surfing off the bow of the ship. Our stewardess (Sofia) was also really good. She looked after us so well and was tremendous at decorating the dinner table and ensuring that service throughout was of the highest standard. She also was particularly strong at remembering our individual preferences for drinks and food and quickly mastered all our names. I was hugely impressed with the whole effort by the team who all got on together so well. They seemed to be enjoying themselves which only made it easier for all of us to enjoy ourselves. All round a full five star review. It was a terrific six days which will last long in the memory. Thank you all so much.
Michael Spence: 28 September 2024Private Charter 6 Nights