Hebrides Magical Mini-Cruise 3-nights

19 April 2024

Emma, James and all of the Hebrides Cruises team - thank you for the most wonderful, memorable experience aboard Lucy Mary last weekend on the Hebrides Magical Mini-Cruise. We are missing it all so much already! Every single detail was so perfect, from the minute we stepped on board and were welcomed so warmly by the crew with the lovely Prosecco and canapés to the excitement of setting sail and knowing that we and our cruise companions had all begun a unique adventure together, making lifetime memories in the most tranquil, spiritual setting that would bond us all. Everything felt familiar and like home so quickly but also so far away from our day to day reality which didn’t creep in and disturb us once. We were utterly immersed in the experience and the wildlife aspect was simply phenomenal. I still can’t quite believe we actually experienced those moments. The anticipation of a ‘spot’, seeing a beastie emerge and sharing the wonder of that experience together as a group. Those are etched memories and I know how moved and elated every single person in our group was, time and time again on our trip. Having a pod of common dolphins, followed by bottle nose dolphins bow riding Lucy Mary as we journeyed towards Ardtornish was a moment we will never forget. It was other worldly and really quite emotional. The depth of knowledge and experience James has gave us the experiences we were so lucky to have, and having a wildlife guide on board is one of the most unique aspects of the cruise. James and Bella knew exactly what to look for in the waters which led to a successful spot each time - whales, dolphins, porpoises and all manner of sea birds. We had such lovely cruise companions - we all bonded and became very fond of each other quickly, with Hebrides Cruises creating the foundation for that with the quality of the experience. I hadn't appreciated just how much we would enjoy that aspect, being around people we had never met. It really is such a special part of the experience. The accommodation was so comfortable - a great night's sleep every night after those dreamy sunsets. The food was simply exceptional. The menu each day so varied and meal times were such a joy; everyone recounting the tales of the day with beautiful food and wine and just great company. The level of hospitality really was outstanding. The anchorages were also other worldly. I will never forget how I felt in our visit to the Cairns of Coll and that sense of peace and remoteness. Every moment was a complete pleasure and many of these moments felt very much like a gift from nature. It was so special. We were so lucky. The crew were just wonderful hosts and work so hard. Abbie is such a sparkling gem and one of life’s good people to be around. Sarah’s food was exceptional - the menu choices were so well thought out and just spot on and Bella such a cheery, light, positive gentle soul to be around with an infectious passion for sea life. I cannot recommend a cruise with Hebrides Cruises highly enough. It's a memory for life.

Andrew Wilson

16 April 2024

It was! Magical I mean. I didn't want it to end. The way Hebrides Cruises put an adventure together is so thoughtful, so professional. From the first welcome to the last minute, I felt safe, respected and thoroughly spoilt. Ten stars aren't enough. I highly recommend booking a cruise. You won't regret it. It is so much fun, such an adventure!

Judy Fairbairns

16 April 2024

Magical 4 days spent exploring in the Inner Hebrides, with the Cairns of Coll the undoubted highlight. We chose not to go ashore due to mobility, but our ever attentive captain James instead took us on a short tour through the Cairns in the tender to see seals basking onshore. Bella, our guide, was fantastic, spotting wildlife along the various shorelines. Carlton, the chef, produced amazing cakes for afternoon tea, his dinners were superb, and drop scones for breakfast! Steward Abbie provided excellent service throughout the trip, from daytime teas and coffees to nightime cocktails and aperitifs, as well as serving meals and generally keeping the ship... well, shipshape! Fantastic all round attention to our needs, especially with Janet's mobility. Can't wait to come back and do it all over again!

Ciaran Murphy

16 April 2024

What can I say? There are truly not enough superlatives to describe the amazing experience we had onboard Lucy Mary during our recent cruise. From start to finish, the treatment we received from the crew was first class. The booking process was a dream, with the lovely Emma steering us through the whole thing very professionally, answering all our pre-cruise questions promptly and setting our minds at rest. Once we arrived in Oban, we were greeted on board with champagne and cake (my favourite combo!) and from then on, things just got better and better. Abby, the steward, was attentive, warm, funny and made everyone feel comfortable and cared for at all times. Bella, the wildlife guide was great fun and extremely knowledgable and fantastic at finding us interesting wildlife to observe and learn about - we were lucky enough to see hordes of different species, including minke whales, loads of porpoise, seal, birds galore including sea eagles and my favourite gannets and shearwaters and of course otters! Our chef Carleton was a delight - interesting and funny as well as being the most incredible chef. I think I put on about 3kg during the cruise - my fault entirely, I just couldn't resist anything that came out of his kitchen and had to have second helpings of it all. The cod with a crispy crab crust was just a phenomenon. And of course, can't forget our wonderful skipper James. He gently steered us to all the best spots in weather that wasn't always the easiest to navigate but he made the cruise comfortable and enjoyable at all times. His lifelong love affair with the Hebridean area and with being at sea shines through and you can't help but be caught up in his enthusiasm for boat life and for the incredible surroundings we were in. If you haven't visited this area before, there are no words to describe how breathtaking and magical it is. When you're on a boat (even at anchor) the scenery is shifting all the time plus the Scottish weather is constantly changing meaning that at every moment, there are new views to take your breath away (not to mention jumping in the icy sea at dawn each day - that takes you breath away too in quite a different way!) This truly was the trip of a lifetime for me and I can't recommend the whole experience enough. I have walked away full of amazing memories plus, due to the warm and friendly atmosphere the crew generate, we also made friends for life with the other guests and crew members on board. Thank you James, Emma and Rob for what you have created - you deserve all the awards you win and more.

Nicki Wordsworth