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Hebridean Spirit - Preview of Aegean Journey
About Cruises Guide to Sail on Small Luxury Ship in the Mediterranean

By Linda Garrison, About.com

The Hebridean Spirit small luxury ship

The small luxury cruise ship the Hebridean Spirit

Photo Courtesy of Hebridean International Cruises
Authors note: We have now returned from our delightful cruise on the Hebridean Spirit. You can read all about the ship and cruise vicariously with me in my travelogue by clicking on the following two links. The cruise was as wonderful as I thought it would be!

Hebridean Spirit Cruise Ship Profile

Greek Cruise Travelogue - Corfu to Crete on the Hebridean Spirit

I also made several hundred digital photos on our cruise, and I've posted over one hundred to the site. You can click on these two links to see photos of the Hebridean Spirit and of the Greek ports of call.

Hebridean Spirit Cruise Ship Pictures - 36 pictures of the Hebridean Spirit cruise ship

Greek Cruise Pictures - 89 cruise pictures of Corfu, Kefalonia, Olympia, Pylos, Methoni, Santorini, and Crete

Preview of cruise to Greece and the Greek Islands on the small luxury ship the Hebridean Spirit.

Map of Aegean Journey on the Hebridean Spirit

Molfetta, Italy - Iraklion, Isle of Crete, Greece
October 13, 2004 - October 20, 2004
Number of Nights: 7

From our embarkation in Molfetta, Italy, the Hebridean Spirit crosses the Adriatic to Corfu where we will explore the old Venetian town. The ship will continue to sail southeast, and our cruise will end in Crete.

Details of our itinerary follow. Doesn't it sound fascinating?

Travel Plan

  • Wednesday morning - Charter flight from London Stansted to embarkation point in Italy
  • Wednesday - Embarkation in Molfetta, Italy. Overnight passage to Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece.
  • Thursday - Morning at sea. Afternoon - Corfu town. Late afternoon - cruising on overnight passage to Katàkolo, Peloponnese. Welcome gala dinner.
  • Friday - Full day - Olympia. Late afternoon - cruising to overnight anchorage.
  • Saturday - Morning - Methóni village and castle. Afternoon - free time. Late afternoon - cruising on overnight passage to Folégandros, Cyclades.
  • Sunday - Morning - island Hora, cruising over lunch to Santoríni. Afternoon - Akrotíri. Overnight anchorage.
  • Monday - Morning - Oía. Afternoon - free time in Thíra. Late afternoon - cruising to overnight anchorage.
  • Tuesday - Morning - Spinalónga, cruising over lunch to Iraklion. Mid-afternoon - free time in Iraklion. Farewell gala dinner at overnight berth.
  • Wednesday - Disembarkation in Iraklion
  • Wednesday afternoon - Charter flight back to London Stansted

More on Hebridean International Cruises

Since Hebridean International Cruises might be an unknown luxury cruise line for the American market, here is a little background on the company. The company has two small ships, the Hebridean Princess and the Hebridean Spirit.

The luxury cruise line, Hebridean International Cruises, has been operating cruise ships since 1989. The first vessel, Hebridean Princess, has cruised Scotland’s West Coast waters for the past fourteen years and has built up a very loyal following. Following Hebridean Princess’ success, the second vessel, Hebridean Spirit, was acquired and was extensively refitted. She started cruising in July 2001. Her year-round program takes her to intriguing destinations from the Arctic to the Tropics.

The Hebridean Princess has space for only 49 passengers and the Hebridean Spirit caters to 80 passengers. Since both ships are very small, the cabins have names rather than numbers. We are in the Isle of Mingulay cabin on the Hebridean Deck. (Note: the Isle of Mingulay is in the Western Isles of Scotland.)

Both ships are run in line with the company philosophy that "small is personal" and the fact that more than half of the passengers are return visitors demonstrates that Hebridean's message is successful.

All Hebridean International cruises are all-inclusive and the cruise line actively discourages tipping. Here are some of the features included in the cost of a Hebridean cruise.

For both the Hebridean Princess and the Hebridean Spirt --

  • All shore excursions, as featured in the Hebridean International brochure
  • House wines (including champagne) and beverages
  • All meals
  • Use of gym equipment
  • Port and passenger taxes
  • Use of ships' tenders, small boats and bicycles

and for Hebridean Spirit, venturing further afield to the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the Indian Ocean --

  • Flights between UK and the ship for many cruises
  • Routine medical consultations and minor treatments with the on-board doctor
  • Use of Spa steam and relaxation room
  • Transfers in turn-around ports
  • Snorkeling equipment
Pictures from the Hebridean Spirit

Exterior view of the Hebridean Spirit

Hebridean Spirit in the Maldives of the Indian Ocean

Rear deck of the Hebridean Spirit

St. Columba suite on the Hebridean Spirit

Grade C "Isles" cabin on the Hebridean Spirit

Argyll Restaurant on the Hebridean Spirit

Casual dining on the Mizzen Deck of the Hebridean Spirit

Skye Lounge on the Hebridean Spirit

Panorama Lounge on the Hebridean Spirit

Source: Hebridean International Cruises

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