Catching up with the luxury cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, which having departed Dun Laoghaire Harbour last weekend, is on its final Irish-based cruise season but bound for its homeport Oban, west Scotland, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Its operator, Hebridean Island Cruises, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category for 'Best Specialist Cruise Line' and has been running throughout Scotland’s remote islands, lochs, and bays for 35 years. In addition to the Isle of Man, Wales, England, and Scilly, along with France and Belgium.
Up to a mere 48 guests are taking the ‘Treasures of the Celtic Coast’, a 10 night fly-cruise including two gala dinners on board the 5 star cruise ship’s intimate setting of the 2,212 gross tonnes vessel. Its small size is an advantage, enabling destinations to secluded and remote locations, that otherwise the vast majority of cruise ships would be unable to offer such high-end clientele.
Operator, Hebridean Island Cruises claims this is one of the smallest luxury cruise ships afloat. Guests are pampered by a large crew of 38 in luxurious surroundings that are described also by the operator as offering unrivalled comfort with the refined service of a floating country house.
Accommodation is in 28 spacious and individually designed cabins, presenting tastefully decorated interiors. The largest and most expensive cabin, named the ‘Isle of Aran’ will set you back more than £12,000 for the privilege. It is in such sumptuous settings, that the late UK monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, on a private charter basis, experienced twice cruising in the waters of scenic Scotland.
At the lowest of the price range on this Ireland homeward bound cruise to Scotland cruise, they started from £7,890 per person.
Among the unusual destinations advertised is Clogherhead, Co. Louth, so guests can visit the Brú na Bóinne, Ireland's richest archaeological site, which is a World Heritage Site. However, Afloat understands this call was cancelled, which led to an earlier than expected visit to Peel on the Isle of Man, providing guests with a double overnight stay.
Other ports in the itinerary are Carlingford Lough with its backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, Portaferry, Bangor, Belfast, and today Larne, where Hebridean Princess arrived on Wednesday. The ferry port for Scotland is apt given the visiting vessel was originally a David MacBrayne/CalMac car ferry, Columba operating further to the north to serve along the western isles.
The next scheduled destination is Ballycastle (Rathlin Island) on the Antrim coast before returning to domestic waters, which will involve Loch na Mile on Jura, and Ardfern on the Scottish mainland before reaching Oban.
The port is part of CalMac’s extensive ferry route network serving the western isles and lochs, operated previously by David MacBrayne, which had its Columba launched on 12th March 1964. As such, this year marks its 60th anniversary, which was celebrated by Princess Anne with a special launch and plaque unveiling by the royal held on board the vessel in Aberdeen, from where the ship was launched at the Hall Russell shipyard.
