Hebridean Offers Last Minute Discounts on the Hebridean Princess

There is still time before the season ends in November to save on a memorable experience to majestic and idyllic ports in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland onboard Hebridean Island Cruises’ Five-Star, ultra-luxurious 50-guest Hebridean Princess.

Hebridean Island Cruises is now offering last minute savings on its remaining cabins of popular Fall 2011 itineraries of up to 25% off all-inclusive brochure fares. Here is a sampling of what guests will experience on these unique 7-night, all-inclusive itineraries departing from Oban, Scotland:

• Inner Hebridean Medley - round-trip Oban, Oct. 18, 2011: Visit the lush hilly isle of Kerrera and experience a fascinating wildlife haven and the charming village of Jura. Cruise Loch Sween, take a leisurely stroll along the canal in Crinan and visit the spectacular 20-acre Arduaine Gardens with its mesmerizing scenery. From $4,416 per person (Category F stateroom).

• Inner Hebridean Prospector - round-trip Oban, Nov. 1, 2011: Discover the ancient treasures of Eigg featuring Iron Age forts, a 6^th century church and Viking burial mounds. Enjoy picturesque Plockton, explore the Scottish Baronial Torosay Castle and Gardens and visit the magnificent Inverewe Gardens, one of the most beautiful in Scotland. From $3,408 per person (Category F stateroom).

• Inner Hebridean Adventure - round-trip Oban, Nov. 8, 2011: Enjoy the tranquility of Iona and the restored 12^th century abbey. Walk the towpath of the Crinan Canal and explore Arduaine Gardens, a delightful coastal paradise. From $2,128 per person (Category H stateroom).

• South from Oban - 7-nights, Oban to Greenock, Nov. 15, 2011: Absorb the Victorian charm of Lamrash. Travel to Inveraray and Crarae for a stroll through 50 acres of flourishing gardens. In Bute, visit Mount Stuart House, considered Britain’s most outstanding Victorian mansion. From $2,176 per person (Category H stateroom).

Fares include all meals, beverages and select wines, spirits and champagne, privately escorted tours, a distinguished guest speaker program, port charges and gratuities. Activities such as the use of the ship’s bicycles to explore ashore, fishing, bridge, speedboat rides are also included. Black-tie gala dinners are a special highlight, and guests will enjoy a fine dining experience featuring tantalizing culinary delights fused with fresh local ingredients on every cruise.

The Hebridean Princess has attracted many loyal guests over the past 20 years, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and members of her family when the ship was privately chartered in 2010.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

All Leisure Group Purchases Hebridean Princess

All Leisure group plc ("All Leisure" or "Company") is pleased to announce that the group has signed an agreement with Ernst & Young, acting as administrators for Hebridean International Cruises Ltd. and Leisure and Marine Holdings Ltd., for the acquisition of the cruise ship Hebridean Princess and other related assets for a cash consideration of £1.4m, payable today from the Company's existing resources ("the Acquisition").

All Leisure group plc, which operates Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery is pleased to announce that continue to operate the Hebridean Princess on distinctive cruises around the Scottish Highlands and islands and through the Norwegian fjords. The company will continue to operate from its head office in Skipton.

The Hebridean Princess carries 49 passengers and 37 crew offers luxury cruises from March through to November and operates principally from Oban in Scotland around the Scottish Highlands and Islands and Norwegian Fjords.

In the year to 30 November 2008 the Hebridean Princess generated revenue of c.£7.0m and profit before taxation of c£1.2m. The provisional fair value of net assets being acquired is £4.1m and on this basis management expect the overall contribution to profits in the current financial year to be broadly neutral.

Roger Allard, Group Executive Chairman said "This Acquisition is our first investment of the funds raised on flotation and represents, as promised, a continuation of All Leisure's strategy to acquire established niche destination-led brands. Hebridean Princess justifiably enjoys the exceptionally high levels of both passenger loyalty (historically enjoying over 50% repeat passenger business) and customer support that a product of this quality and profile should demand."

Herbridean International Cruises Announces Sale of Vessel

Hebridean International Cruises have announced that they have sold the larger of their two vessels, the 98 berth Hebridean Spirit. The vessel will be withdrawn ahead of the Summer 2009 season.

Announcing the sale, Managing Director Mike Deegan said “We have made the decision to withdraw from international operations to concentrate on our core product, which is the operation of Hebridean Princess in Scotland”. He added “For some time now we have experienced rising costs of operating Hebridean Spirit in international waters due in part to the deterioration in the £ Sterling against the US Dollar and Euro and we can not continue to absorb these increases, especially when the vessel has been operating in a very aggressive market where heavy discounting is the norm”.

The line is in course of contacting all customers booked on future programmes of the vessel to offer a full refund or a transfer to a cruise aboard Hebridean Princess, the operation of which is not affected. They have also announced a number of redundancies will result from this move,both at Head Office in North Yorkshire and amongst its sea staff.

Mr Deegan added “Clearly we have not taken this decision lightly. I am very aware that the cancellation of an eagerly anticipated holiday is very upsetting and we shall work with all affected customers. That we shall also be losing some good staff, some of whom have seen many years of service with us, is equally upsetting for us”.

Hebridean Spirit was introduced in 2001 and has provided 5 star luxury afloat whilst operating in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and South America. Sister vessel Hebridean Princess, which was chartered by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for a family holiday in 2006,will continue to offer 5 star holidays throughout the Western Isles of Scotland and is in her 21st season of operation for the Company.