Jobs go as Hebridean downsizes with sale of ship
The larger of the two vessels operated by Hebridean International Cruises has been sold as the company withdraws from international operations.
The 98 berth Hebridean Spirit will be withdrawn ahead of the summer 2009 season.
The line is contacting all customers booked on future programmes of the vessel to offer a full refund or a transfer to a cruise aboard Hebridean Princess, the operation of which is not affected.
An unspecified number of redundancies will result from the sale,both at head office in North Yorkshire and amongst sea staff.
Managing director Mike Deegan said “We have made the decision to withdraw from international operations to concentrate on our core product, which is the operation of Hebridean Princessin Scotland.
“For some time now we have experienced rising costs of operatingHebridean Spiritin international waters due in part to the deterioration in the pound sterling against the US dollar and euro and we can not continue to absorb these increases, especially when the vessel has been operating in a very aggressive market where heavy discounting is the norm.
“Clearly, we have not taken this decision lightly.
“I am very aware that the cancellation of an eagerly anticipated holiday is very upsetting and we shall work with all affected customers.
“That we shall also be losing some good staff, some of whom have seen many years of service with us, is equally upsetting for us”.
Hebridean Spiritwas introduced in 2001 and has operated in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and South America.
Sister vessel Hebridean Princess, which was chartered by the Queen for a family holiday in 2006, will continue to offer cruises throughout the Western Isles of Scotland in its 21st season of operation.
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026