From Wild Scotland to the Norwegian Fjords

Try a voyage with a difference in the company of Noble Caledonia this summer, taking in the full depths of Scotland to the fjords of Norway.

The cruise begins on the west coast of Scotland in the port of Oban, with the journey north including magnificent St Kilda and calls in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, to be immersed in some of the region's mysterious ancient history.

Reaching Sunnfjord, one of Norway's most stunning areas, the voyages travels along the coast, visiting the vast swathe of fjords and chain of islands all the way up to the Lofoten group.

It is difficult to imagine a more relaxing setting than coastal Norway. Words cannot describe the awe-inspiring scenery that combines mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, valleys and truly dramatic fjords.

The immense size of the fjords and the timeless quality of scenes that have changed little in the past centuries create a unique atmosphere, especially as the journey avoids the tracks of the big cruise ships wherever possible, with many ports of call just tranquil hamlets and small communities, offering a fascinating look at their unique lifestyles.

Such a journey needs a special vessel, and the self-sufficient qualities of the MS Quest are ideal in this instance. Carrying just 50 passengers, this small, friendly ship will be able to land on remote beaches and explore shorelines prolific birdlife, with the daily schedule taking advantage of weather conditions and possible sightings to achieve as much as possible from the voyage.

For more info, visit www.noble-caledonia.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Iceland, Dublin, Faroe Isles and St Kilda

By guest blogger Steve Newman

To many of us, a cruise is made by the amount of wildlife we see from the deck or on land when taking organised excursions. To this end, Swan Hellenic has partnered with Marinelife, the marine conservation research charity, to bring a daily wildlife image blog to cruise passengers and the public alike.

The Marinelife team has been recording all sightings and engaging with passengers on board the Minerva throughout her visit to Iceland with a programme of presentations and deck watches. Marinelife’s team is writing a daily blog on the Swan Hellenic website to keep the general public up to date with a range of spectacular encounters, which include many hundreds of dolphins of multiple species, a Humpback Whale mother-and-calf pair and sightings of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Minerva will be returning to Iceland sailing on a round trip from Portsmouth from 21 July - 05 August 2011. She will be visiting four ports on the “Land of Fire,” including the capital Reykjavik. Iceland is place renowned for its ice fields, volcanic springs and thundering waterfalls. The ship will also call at Dublin and Torshavn in the Faroe Isles.

Apart from elation at the coastal scenery and the wildlife, there is sadness on this trip, too. It rather depends on how it affects you, but I defy anyone not to be moved when you’re on St Kilda. Fifty miles out from the Western Isles, even as you start to approach you wonder how people could have lived here. This feeling is enhanced when you pass where the young men climbed the cliffs to collect seabird eggs in swells they would have regarded as nothing but have many visitors clinging to the rail.

Surviving until the 1930s, when they asked to be evacuated, you wander among their stone houses (above) now numbered and marked with the occupants' names, trying to imagine how they eked out a living here and marvelling at their dry-stone walling skills. The sadness comes when you discover that in just one egg collecting trip, almost half the young men of the island were lost in heavy seas.

Having visited both here and Iceland, I can assure you you’ll be left with memories that will stay with you for ever.

For those wishing to know more, Swan Hellenic will be exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

For more info in the meantime, go to http://www.swanhellenic.com

The Princess Royal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, if it's good enough for Her Majesty the Queen to sail around the Western Isles on, then the Hebridean Princess must be highly worthwhile having a look at.

The point is, though, that a lot of people are under the illusion the waters of western Scotland are the only area the company (Hebridean Island Cruises) features but, in fact, MANY more destinations are on offer for 2011.

These include Scotland's east coast, Northern Ireland, northern France, the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly. Of course, you don't have to stay on board, but be aware it's difficult not to with this lovely five-star, luxury vessel.

As well as ports of call, there is the company's excellent Footloose guided walks programme, which lets you take in some spectacular hill walking, loch and mountain trails and, of course, this wouldn't be Scotland if there wasn't a nip of malt whisky and a hearty meal waiting for you on your return.

Indeed, the inglenook fireplace and the herringbone brick-work at times enhance the Scottish appearance and you could almost be the laird settling down in your big, comfortable armchair at night. It is this ambiance of the Scottish country house and the lack of organised entertainment that makes it impossible not to relax on this vessel.

With just 50 cabins - of which 10 are dedicated for single travellers - and a crew of 38, it's no wonder Hebridean Princess has such loyal repeat business. Most of the cruises of four and ten nights depart from Oban, reaching destinations as far as St Kilda and the Shetlands.

Each all-inclusive cruise is carefully researched and planned by the company to make sure you get the best out of each port of call and its surrounding area. There is a range of privately escorted tours, often visiting places uniquely open for ships guests, and, if that doesn't appeal, why not borrow one of the ship's bicycles or arrange a fishing trip?

The elegant dining room has large windows to watch the scenery as you enjoy your meals - using the freshest local produce where possible, such as cheese from the Isle of Mull and, of course, the wonderful haggis. Whether, like me, you prefer to pour a wee dram over your haggis on the plate is entirely up to you.

But, just like the Hebridean Princess herself, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Eco Adventure Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Wow! I thought that a 12-night west coast of Britain cruise would not be that interesting. How wrong could I be? One of the best cruises I've ever been on, this eco adventure, boutique-style cruising is really the way forward.


Zegrahm Expeditions offer high-end luxury cruising with less than a hundred guests and, with a one-to-one crew/hotel/lecturers/leaders to passenger ratio, they really looked after us. Plus this is true expedition stuff, as we were hopping in and out of Zodiac inflatables all the time, even at ten minutes' notice when something was spotted.

Age is no barrier, either; if you're fit enough, go for it. Incredible places, Skellig Michael with its unbelievable 6th Century monastery (above) and St Kilda, with its stunning gannet colonies. Sometimes we were exploring sea lochs at 10 o'clock at night, going 60 yards deep into sea caves and at others literally looking into the eyes of wild animals and birds.

The company doesn't stop here; if it's wild and untamed they go there, from Antarctica to Tahiti and from Madagascar to Baffin Island. Take a look at http://www.zeco.com/destinations/