Hospitality from the four Crew and delicious food from the galley are major sources of enjoyment for our guests who are literally pampered from the moment they come on board. The meticulous running of the vessel, especially in terms of safety, comfort and cleanliness, is the essential backdrop to providing the exciting cruising and excellent hospitality that our guests will never forget.
Mealtimes are a highlight with delicious food
The meals served onboard our vessels are legendary. All food is prepared from fresh, local ingredients, creating tasty dishes that get rave reviews from our guests. View our list of Local food Suppliers> A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops by Skipper Rob. If Rob is your Skipper he will often dive for fresh scallops to be prepared by the Chef that day. The Skipper and Wildlife Guide join guests at mealtimes, to catch up on the latest adventures and plan the following day’s activities.View our fabulous food gallery>
Be as active or as relaxed as you please
While at sea guests can relax and watch the ever-changing scenery through panoramic windows in the dining deck saloon or from a choice of outdoor decks. Some prefer to join the Skipper in the wheelhouse or the Wildlife Guide on the observation deck, while others enjoy a book or a pre-dinner aperitif on the aft deck. Guests are introduced to the truly magical places of the Hebrides, which the Crew know so well. Stopovers and anchorages are determined by the tides, the weather conditions and the wishes of those on board, with the Skipper making the final decision. There will be opportunities every day to go ashore and explore remote islands and coastlines.
An expert Wildlife Guide on shore trips
A unique service of Hebrides Cruises is to have a Wildlife Guide to accompany guests on walks; our Wildlife Guides and other Crew are immensely knowledgeable about the islands of the Hebrides and their history and wildlife, so be prepared to be educated! We have identified many one-way walking routes where a drop-off at the beginning and pick-up at the end by boat tender makes the excursion a perfect pleasure.
Close encounters and camaraderie make a never-to-be forgotten cruise
Our vessels are equipped to get up close to rugged and otherwise inaccessible sea stacks and coastlines to view large gatherings of sea birds and other rare wildlife, providing a never-to-be-forgotten close encounter with nature. After dinner is a special time when guests and crew together celebrate a fitting end to a great day at sea, with many tales to be told and perhaps a dram or two, often enhanced by a glorious sunset, moonlight on the water or a sky full of stars.
What a wonderful experience. Ever since we enjoyed a week on Lizzie G as a dive boat in 2014, we wanted to return and renew our acquaintance with her on a wildlife cruise. And what a week - it exceeded all our expectations. From the first welcome with Prosecco and amazing scones, to the last sad farewell, we had a fabulous time. Our fellow guests provided lovely company and the crew - whose love and enthusiasm for what they did shone through - looked after us royally. Hannah was an excellent wildlife guide, pointing out the wide range of wildlife we were lucky enough to see, Callum ‘glass of wine anyone’ a caring and attentive Bosun, Charlie provided us with superb Cordon Bleu meals throughout our stay and Alasdair as Skipper was not only superb at ensuring we had the best opportunities to see the wildlife, his company and story telling in the eve were great fun. The range of wildlife as noted every eve by Hannah was impressive, highlights had to be Sea Eagles just ‘posing’ for us as well as flying and passing food, Red Deer stag bellowing on the skyline, other sea birds too numerous to mention, and as for the dolphins….! A trip like this is always weather dependent, and although the elements were against us towards the end of the trip, the itinerary was adapted so we missed none of the highlights. In short - an outstanding week. Thanks to all who made it so.
Louisa & Martyn Nicholls: 9 September 2023Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons