First Female Captain for Hebridean Princess
By Ted Scull
Hebridean Island Cruises has just announced that Captain Caroline Palmer will work in tandem with Captain Richard Heaton aboard the 50-passenger Hebridean Princess, a beloved ship that has cruised in mostly Scottish waters since 1989. Caroline will be the first female captain for Hebridean Island Cruises.
Captain “Caz” Caroline Palmer, the first female captain for Hebridean Island Cruises. * Photo: Hebridean Island Cruises
Caroline first joined the ship in 2014 as First Officer, then Chief Officer while also working aboard fleet mates Lord of the Glens and Lord of the Highlands.
Company managing director Ken Charleson praised Caz, as she is informally known, “as a loyal and proficient Officer who is very popular with guests and colleagues alike.”
Hebridean Princess operates all-inclusive, luxury cruises around the Highland and Islands of Scotland from March to November, departing mainly from Oban.
The 50-pax Hebridean Princess. * Photo: Hebridean Island Cruises
RELATED: 7 Small Ship Scottish Cruises You Should Know About.
Reviews of Hebridean Princess
QuirkyCruise Contributor Ben Lyons writes “Footloose to the Clyde” —
“Choosing Scotland for a hiking vacation at the end of October admittedly carried some risk. With weather in the Hebrides hardly settled even in the height of the summer, many of our UK friends kindly offered us well meaning, but clearly skeptical, advice.
“The weather can be a bit… off… then. Bring a raincoat!”
It was on our first full day onboard Hebridean Princess’ “Footloose to the Clyde” itinerary, however, when we learned one approach to the country’s fickle fall climate. Towards the end of our first guided walk, up slippery, rocky hills and then along a ridge line bursting with vibrant golden grass and dramatic views to the stoic loch below, the skies opened up with rain.
John, a fellow passenger and proper English gentleman to his core, simply covered his head with his hood, took out the “Wee Dram of Whiskey” provided by the ship, and downed half in a quick swig. Others followed suit, and, properly fortified, on we marched through the rain.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Charters the Ship
Carrying only 50 passengers looked after by 38 crew, the Hebridean Princess is perhaps best known today as the vessel that Queen Elizabeth II has twice chartered for a family holiday after the Royal Yacht Britannia was retired…”
Stunning hikes on the “Footloose to the Clyde” cruise aboard Hebridean Princess. * Photo: Ben Lyons
“The legendary Orient Express is heralded as the Train of Kings. If that’s the case then I reckon the Hebridean Princess is undoubtedly the “Ship of Queens.”
And not just metaphorically.
This grand British dame is a firm favourite with the British Royal Family and Her Majesty, the Queen, has chartered her on two occasions.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been on her four times and have gleaned some inside information on the Royal connections during my voyages…”
Interested in cruising on the 50-pax Hebridean Princess?
Learn more about Hebridean Island Cruises here.
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HEIDI SARNA
