FAQS

All overseas passengers travelling to the UK who do not need a visa, will need permission to enter the country in advance of travel and will need to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Visitors should apply in advance and find out when to do so on UK government website www.gov.uk

The ETA costs £16 and is valid for multiple entries to the UK over the course of two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is sooner and can be obtained online through the UK government website www.gov.uk or via the app (search for “UK ETA” on the Apple app store or Google Play).

For UK nationals, a passport is not needed for cruises operating in Scottish/UK waters, although a form of photographic identification is required for boarding both Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands.  A driving licence or bus pass is suitable for this purpose.

For guests travelling from overseas a passport is required for entry into the UK and for boarding ship.

We urge all guests to take out a holiday insurance and cancellation policy. It is recommended that your insurance policy covers the full cost of your booking, including all travel, transfers, pre-paid shore excursions, accommodation pre and post your voyage with us, and of course the full cost of your cruise too. This will provide you with total peace of mind and comprehensive financial protection.

We regret that children under the age of 12 cannot be accommodated

If wheelchair users wish to cruise with us, they must be accompanied by a fare-paying able-bodied companion to assist them on board and ashore. Wheelchair access may be limited. Entrances to the vessel have raised coamings and almost all cabins have a raised lip or step from bedroom to bathroom. Please note that bedroom doors are no wider than 70cm. As the vessel does not carry a supply of narrow wheelchairs for general use, guests should check that their own chair is of a suitable width.

Please note that there are no lifts (elevators) on board Hebridean Princess and, although well equipped with handrails, some of the ship’s stairways are steep, particularly those from the Princess Deck to the Waterfront and Hebridean Decks.

Access to the vessel is via either a lowered stepped gangway or a ramp gangway depending on location. Internally, there are two stairways each of 11 steps that inter-connect each deck level – all have a handrail. There is no lift on board and therefore, the ship is not suitable for guests with severe mobility impairment. Guests with limited mobility can be accommodated provided they are accompanied by an assisting companion.

When booking, guests must advise Hebridean of particular health conditions necessitating special precautions and of any subsequent change. It is the responsibility of each guest to inform Hebridean of any prevailing condition which may affect them on board or ashore and, equally, other guests’ ability to enjoy to the full any shore visits during their cruise. Please refer to the sections about mobility and disabled access for the requirements for able-bodied companions.

Guests are advised to pack all necessary medical supplies, as our ports of call are generally off the beaten track and may lack facilities. If guests intend to bring any electrical or electronic medical equipment, they should first check with our reservations team that it is compatible with the ship’s 240v electricity supply.

Hebridean ships do not carry a doctor as they are never far from land. Guests should ensure that, to their knowledge, they are fit to take a holiday during which immediate medical assistance may not be available. Arrangements to consult a doctor on land can be made at relatively short notice and assistance can be summoned quickly in the event of an emergency. Any medical and repatriation costs will be charged to the guest’s account.

The ship’s Officers are trained in first aid and a comprehensive medical supply is kept for emergency use.

Everyone reacts differently to motion, but most guests are fine. The Lord of the Highlands Caledonian Canal and Inner Hebrides routes are mainly in sheltered waters, which may be more suitable for those who are susceptible to motion sickness.

Hebridean Island Cruises ships do not usually sail at night, and there are frequent opportunities to go ashore and get steady land under your feet.

The seas are usually calmer in the summer months. Seasickness tablets are available on board, or you may prefer acupressure wristbands or ginger based remedies for natural support

Most sailing on Hebridean Princess is scheduled to take place over breakfast and lunch, apart from overnight sailings to St. Kilda.

Smaller ships tend to have a certain amount of vibration and some noise is inevitable when the main engines are running. At night, a sound insulated generator supplies domestic power to the vessel.

Cruise itineraries are published in good faith but may have to be altered on board to take into account climatic, geographical, political and other factors over which Hebridean or its agents have no control. We will do our best to minimise alterations and their potential effect on guests.

While the Captain will do their utmost to follow the itinerary, they will, where appropriate, adapt the route to suit the prevailing and forecast weather conditions. The Captain’s decision is always final. If such amendments need to be made at short notice, we cannot make any financial adjustments. Please see our Conditions of Business.

The Columba Restaurant is large enough for all guests to dine at the same time. The majority of tables are for two, but should guests wish to dine together we will be delighted to reserve a table for a maximum of eight. Guests travelling on their own will be seated at a larger table, usually hosted by an Officer, unless they indicate otherwise.

As a guideline mealtimes are: 07:00 till 09:00 for buffet breakfast, 12:30-13:00 lunch and 19:30 dinner.

The single sitting Caledonian Restaurant provides for open seating, with the guideline mealtimes being: 07:00 till 09:00 for buffet breakfast, 12:30-13:00 lunch and 19:30 dinner. Times can vary according to the departure and return times of excursions, and when so varied are indicated in the Daily Programme notes. For early risers, complimentary hot beverages are available in the bar on a self-service basis – as well as throughout the day.

We can cater for most dietary preferences; however, diets that require specific or particular religious observance cannot be accommodated including strict kosher and one or two other regimes. Special requests should be included in the Pre-Cruise Questionnaire issued before your cruise begins; our reservations staff will be pleased to advise you.

Wildlife lovers may wish to bring binoculars as there are only a limited number on board Hebridean Princess for loan.

Hebridean operates a ‘no tipping’ policy.

There is a wee shop on board both Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands selling a bespoke range of gifts and mementos. We support British designers and makers, and the majority of our items are made in the UK.

Hebridean Princess boasts a well-stocked library, and a card and games area with a range of board games, jigsaws, chess and backgammon. A small variety of gym equipment is available on the Waterfront Deck.

On board Lord of the Highlands, a small selection of games and reference books is available in the lounge/bar area. The vessel is equipped to receive a limited number of satellite TV channels which are available in each cabin and certain public areas.

Many of our visits ashore call for reasonable walking ability if guests are to gain maximum enjoyment from the cruise. As many are to lesser-known and remote places, there are frequently landing stages, steps, slopes and rough ground to contend with. We therefore reserve the right not to take a guest on a particular visit if we feel that it would be beyond his or her capabilities or might affect the enjoyment of fellow guests. If you are uncertain of your ability to participate in these activities, please contact our reservations team to discuss the route in detail before confirming your booking. Those requiring wheelchairs and/or regular assistance in order to participate in shore visits must be accompanied by a fare-paying, able-bodied companion to assist them.

Since many of the places on our itineraries are unsuitable for berthing alongside, Hebridean Princess is equipped with sturdy tenders to transport guests ashore. Buoyancy aids are provided and must be worn in all small boat operations. Please note, however, that use of the ship’s tenders does require a certain degree of agility. If in doubt, guests with physical disabilities and elderly or infirm passengers should contact our reservations team before booking.

Our itineraries are planned to allow frequent visits ashore to interesting and unusual places, but participation is by no means compulsory. The emphasis is on pleasing one’s self. As alternatives, we can usually suggest an independent stroll or a more energetic walk ashore, perhaps a bike ride or, as many guests have discovered, the relaxation of staying on board.

Daytime: During the day dress is casual. It is advisable to bring suitable clothing for the area in which you will be cruising.

Evening: For dinner in the evening, guests prefer to dress more formally, with a jacket and tie for gentlemen and the equivalent for ladies.

Gala evenings: The recommended dress code for Gala evenings is black tie for gentlemen and evening wear for ladies.

On these evenings, the Officers will wear formal dress. The number of Gala evenings depends on the length of the cruise, but as a guideline, two formal Gala Dinners will be held during a seven-night cruise.

Dress is generally smart casual, with perhaps a jacket worn for dinner. Extra efforts are normally made for the welcome and farewell gala dinners. Black Tie is not necessary.

Non-slip shoes should be worn on deck on all ships, and for Hebridean Princess in the ship’s small boats when going ashore. Some cruises visit remote locations where heavy-soled shoes or walking boots are recommended for shore visits and serious walking.

In addition to walking boots, we recommend that guests protect themselves against the unpredictable weather with waterproof clothing; we would stress that jeans are considered unsuitable. A reasonably sized rucksack would also be useful.

We regret that no animals are permitted on board ANY Hebridean Island Cruises vessel other than assistance dogs accompanying disabled passengers.

Hebridean Princess – smoking is not allowed inside the vessel at any time and is not permitted in cabins. Smoking is allowed only on the outer decks, and guests occupying balcony cabins are asked to show consideration to other balcony users.

Lord of the Highlands – the ship operates a non-smoking policy in all of the interior and exterior areas, including cabins and balconies.

Lord of the Highlands is both air-conditioned and heated as and when appropriate throughout the voyage. Cabins have individual controls to regulate the temperature.

Due to restrictions on space there are no laundry facilities on board. An iron and ironing board is provided in each cabin.

WiFi access is available on board Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands.

There are iPads in the Library on board Hebridean Princess.

Mobile phones are in range for most of the voyage(s), but please note some blind spots do exist, particularly in the remote lochs and islands where reception can be irregular. Mobile phones should be switched to silent in public rooms.

The electricity supply on board Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands is 220/240v AC with standard UK 3-pin sockets. USB sockets are also provided in the cabins. If guests wish to use 110v equipment, a transformer will be required – a limited supply is available on board for loan. The ship also carries adaptors for European and US style plugs, obtainable from the Housekeeper.

On board Hebridean Princess, eight of our cabins are designed and let on a single occupancy basis.

Double cabins for single occupancy will be charged a supplement of 85% of the per-person fare for that cabin grade. Please refer to the Cabins section of the website, or contact our reservations team for further details.

Hairdryers are available in each cabin.

Take a look at the cabins section to see what else is included in cabins on board each ship.

Towels and a cosy bathrobe and slippers are provided in the en-suite shower room, along with Molton Brown toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap and a shower cap.

Take a look at the cabins section to see what else is included in cabins on board each ship.

A small safe is provided in each cabin to secure valuables. Hebridean cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage to guests’ valuables.

Take a look at the cabins section to see what else is included in cabins on board each ship.

On Lord of the Highlands windows and portholes cannot be opened.

Windows and portholes on board Hebridean Princess can be opened.