Post by Administrator on Jul 14, 2021 12:30:22 GMT
THE LITTLE SHIP THAT BECAME A SUBSTITUTE ROYAL YACHT PASSES PENARTH
The ultra-luxury mini-cruise ship “Hebridean Princess” – a favourite of the Queen – sailed past Penarth last night on a continuation of a coastal tour of Britain – although the Queen herself isn’t aboard this time.
The Hebridean Princess – often called the sea-going equivalent of the “Orient Express” – was used as a stand-in for the Royal Yacht after HMS Britannia was taken out of service.
The modestly-proportioned “Hebridean Princess” is just 235 feet long with a 46 ft beam, and has just 5 decks.
She was originally constructed back in 1964 – making her just 10 years younger than “Britannia”- as a Scottish passenger ferry under the name MV Columba and was “retired” in 1987.
However, in 1989 she was repurposed, refitted and relaunched as a compact cruise ship accommodating no more than 50 passengers, and was renamed, Hebridean Princess.
Last night, Hebridean Princess concluded a stopover in Cardiff and sailed West for Milford Haven.
Even though there’s no royalty on this voyage, in a sense the Queen is still aboard. Her signed portrait hangs in pride of place in the dining salon.
LINK
The ultra-luxury mini-cruise ship “Hebridean Princess” – a favourite of the Queen – sailed past Penarth last night on a continuation of a coastal tour of Britain – although the Queen herself isn’t aboard this time.
The Hebridean Princess – often called the sea-going equivalent of the “Orient Express” – was used as a stand-in for the Royal Yacht after HMS Britannia was taken out of service.
The modestly-proportioned “Hebridean Princess” is just 235 feet long with a 46 ft beam, and has just 5 decks.
She was originally constructed back in 1964 – making her just 10 years younger than “Britannia”- as a Scottish passenger ferry under the name MV Columba and was “retired” in 1987.
However, in 1989 she was repurposed, refitted and relaunched as a compact cruise ship accommodating no more than 50 passengers, and was renamed, Hebridean Princess.
Last night, Hebridean Princess concluded a stopover in Cardiff and sailed West for Milford Haven.
Even though there’s no royalty on this voyage, in a sense the Queen is still aboard. Her signed portrait hangs in pride of place in the dining salon.
LINK