5 June 2021
Islay and the Southern Hebrides - Glen Etive
Julia North
Having researched carefully, my expectations of cruising with the Majestic Line for the first time were very high, but they were exceeded in every way! I was travelling as a solo guest, this was not my husband’s bag, but something I really wanted to do, so off I went and I had the adventure and holiday of a lifetime, sailing on the Glen Etive to Islay and the Southern Hebrides. The brilliant crew made it, Peter, Gill, Gordon and Chris, they were all great fun, really helpful, and looked after us all in every way. I’m not used to being looked after letting alone someone putting a cuppa in my hand in the wheelhouse! By the last night the crew and the other guests felt like my family and the Glen Etive was home. I was feeling really sad to be leaving the next day and resolved to book a cruise with Majestic every year. As a solo guest I had great company anytime I wanted it (guests and crew) and such was the culture on board it was also fine if anyone needed their own ‘space’ to curl up with a book, snooze on the aft deck or just sit quietly and watch the amazing scenery and wildlife gently go by. Mealtimes we’re such a highlight, exquisite ‘cordon bleu’ food three times a day with wonderful Scottish twist from Gordon our amazing chef, who delighted in accommodating my inconvenient intolerance for seafood with discretion and flare! My happiest highlights were sitting quietly in the wheelhouse with skipper Peter learning about the ship and navigation through some amazing tidal waters and coastline, going ashore on a deserted, white sand beach on Oronsay, stepping down into the vast engine room with the engineer Chris, glass of rose on the aft deck at lunch time on the last day anchored in Loch Spelve on Mull, watching the skipper load mussels on board from the mussel farm ashore on Mull, and great chat and laughter with fellow guests in the saloon after dinners. I can’t thank the crew and Majestic Line enough for my wonderful cruise. I will never forget it. Your customer care has been exceptional from my first tentative phone call, everything to do with life on board, and to helping with my bags off the boat all the way to the car when back in Oban. I can’t wait to sail with you again, thank you everyone.
