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~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for September 2025 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Hebridean Princess ~ alongside at Poole - August 2025
Hebridean Princess has been using Portland as turnaround port throughout August 2025, initially week-long cruises around the Channel Islands, then for Channel Ports cruises. On the evening of 16th, Hebridean Princess sailed just 15 miles east along the Dorset coast from Portland and anchored over night in Worbarrow Bay at Lulworth. The following morning, she sailed into Poole and berthed at South Quay around 11.00 where Ships Dorset contributor Kev Mitchell was on hand to capture these two super images. When the ship departed Poole at 20.00 that evening she cruised across Poole Bay, entered the Solent via the Needles Channel reaching the Yarmouth anchorage around 21.30 … on the morning of 18th Hebridean Princess sailed to Cowes, anchored for a couple of hours, then sailed into Portsmouth … an intriguing “routine” that makes for interesting small ship cruising!
~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for September 2025 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Hebridean Princess ~ alongside at Poole - August 2025
Hebridean Princess was built in 1964 as the RMS Columba for Scotland’s Western Isles ferry services. After 25 years under MacBrayne operational management, she was acquired by Hebridean Island Cruises and underwent extensive re-modelling to transform a 870 passenger / 50 car (hoist loaded) ferry into a 48 passenger luxury cruise ship. The ship was chartered twice by the late Queen Elizabeth for Scottish Island cruising to celebrate her 80th & 84th birthdays. Today, aboard Hebridean Princess, there are 38 members of crew looking after just 48 guests - with many repeat passengers.
Key Dimensions of Hebridean Princess … Gross Tonnage = 2,110 … Length = 72m … Beam = 14m … Draft = 3m … Service speed = 12 knots … Capacity for 48 passengers and 38 crew … built 1964 / in cruising service 1989
To view previous "Images of the Month" click our Image Archive link ...
