Hebridean International Cruises is the UK's premier small cruise ship company.

The Company comprises two small ships - Hebridean Princess and Hebridean Spirit. Accommodating around 50 and 96 guests respectively, the ships are more akin in size and atmosphere to a floating boutique hotel, or a large private yacht, than a modern cruise ship.

Unlike most other cruise operators, Hebridean International Cruises does everything in house, ensuring quality and consistency, as well as maintaining the highest standards of friendly care, attention and service for its guests.

HEBRIDEAN SPIRIT

Launched in July 2001, Hebridean Spirit accommodates around 96 people, looked after by a highly experienced crew of about 70. The ship features an outstanding restaurant, intimate bar, luxurious sun deck, and small but perfectly formed spa. What differentiates Hebridean Spirit from other 'luxury' products is as much what you don't get on board, as what you do. No discos, no gambling machines, no 'variety' shows and no enforced jollity. In short, large quantities of discreet style served up in elegant surroundings - and no kitsch.

The ship's itineraries follow the sun south for 6 months and then return north. Her small size allows her to cruise to destinations as diverse as the north of Norway, remote Sicilian and Greek islands, South Africa, Ascension and the Cape Verde islands and rivers and canals not accessible to larger vessels. A full-time route researcher meticulously plans the unusual and in many cases quite unique voyages together with very special shore visits, allowing guests to experience each port of call as a well-connected guest rather than a tourist.

Adding to the atmosphere of relaxed luxury is the fact that with the exception of certain fine wines and spirits, everything is included within the tour price. For Spirit's programme within the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Scandinavia, Portugal and France, the price also includes flights between the UK and the ship on our Private Charter aircraft. The tariff for our long-haul winter programme is cruise only, to enable our guests to make their own flight arrangements in line with individual travel requirements.

HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS

In contrast, Hebridean Princess appeals to those who enjoy the gentle pleasures of going not very far yet still in luxury and style. Navigating the Hebrides, Scotland's rugged and remote west coast, and the dramatic coast of Ireland, Hebridean Princess covers approximately 300 miles and sails an average of 24 hours in a typical seven nights' cruise.

The smallest luxury cruise ship in the world, with a crew of around 38 looking after 49 guests, Hebridean Princess was the winner of the Best Deluxe Ship category for the second year running in the British Cruise Awards 2001.

The combination of Hebridean Princess' relaxed elegance and the majesty of her surroundings have proved immensely popular and the ship now has an ever-growing band of loyal admirers. In a fiercely competitive market, 50% of all guests are repeat bookings, a statistic that speaks volumes.