We really appreciate when guests take the time to give us detailed feedback. Our first cruise of the season to the Isle of Mull did not get the best of weather but hopefully this review from our guest Felicity Lovell gives an insight that the weather is not essential to a great cruise experience. We are very proud of our crew and pleased that having a wildlife guide aboard meant guests spotted many species – the Tawny Owl is a first for us.
“The scenery was stunning, the guide was wonderful, she accompanied us on all tours she was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable as was the captain Rob and first mate Sarah. We were a little unfortunate with the weather and a few of the other guests with poorer sea legs that meant we were unable to get to a few of the islands that we had hoped for. However we thoroughly enjoyed all the places we did see and we learnt so much about the area, the flora and the fauna it has whetted our appetite for a further trip.
We had a cosy cabin which was very comfortable, our room was lovely and warm even on the coldest nights. The boat was beautifully clean, the dining room was set up to encourage group camaraderie which worked very well. Occasionally we lost the hot water however it was the first trip of the season and the odd glitch is always to be expected. The boat and facilities were kept spotless by the hard work of the cabin crew throughout the trip.
The food was absolutely excellent. Plentiful, delicious, healthy and varied with local interest. All of the cabin crew could not have been more helpful in making our stay very enjoyable. The captain even dived for fresh scallops which we had for supper. They were stunning, the best we had ever eaten. We also had home cooked cake at tea time which was delicious.
Having the guide was a great addition, and the intimacy of the group and crew was also a real boon. Having the weather to get to some of the other islands would have been great but no-one can control that! Overall it was a really great trip which we will remember always”
Dear Emma! On behalf of the tour group who used the Emma Jane as a private charter from August 4th to August 14th, 2023 from Oban for 10 days, I would like to write you a few lines. All 10 fellow travelers agree that the trip is one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives. These include the highly interesting destinations such as St Kilda, Mingulay and Canna, which were headed for. This includes the ship Emma Jane, which we really liked with its facilities such as the hot tube, the observation deck and the common rooms. However, we found the crew of the Emma Jane to be particularly positive. The captain performed his duties in an exemplary manner. A daily highlight was the daily joint evening meeting with him. Our marine biologist gave us a competent explanation of the animal world we had experienced. In addition, he was a very pleasant companion on our group's excursions. The steward was not only extremely polite, but always made sure that we lacked nothing. It was often his inquiries as to whether we weren't missing something that made the day even more pleasant. If perhaps one or the other guest had doubts about the quality and taste of the Scottish cuisine before the trip, these concerns were quickly obsolete. The daily meal was an absolute highlight of each day. The performance of the chef cannot be overestimated. As the person who initiated the trip in Berlin, who is a lifetime member of Historic Scotland and a lifetime member of the National Trust, I am very glad that the other traveling companions thanked me several times for taking the initiative for the trip together have. I hereby pass on my thanks to Hebrides Cruises and the crew of the Emma Jane.
Andreas Statzkowski: 4 August 2023Private Charter 10 Nights