The Timid Sailor

(or questions you'd really like to ask...)

We always take into consideration the ability of our passengers when sailing - you're on holiday, and whatever the weather we want you to enjoy yourself. If you are concerned about seasickness, we'll advise you of the best thing to eat and drink (or not, as the case might be!), where to sit and what to wear. Elizabeth G is equipped with stabilisers which are controlled by the latest digital roll-sensing equipment. This limits the amount of movement when we're underway, and the system can be activated at the flick of a switch.

Regulations insist that we carry adequate safety equipment and every year we have to undergo an inspection that scrutinises everything from the liferaft on the observation deck to the smoke detector in your cabin. The wheelhouse is equipped with the latest radio, radar and navigation equipment, and the skipper is constantly receiving weather updates from the Coastguard, the Met Office and by Weatherfax so that he can plan ahead and where possible avoid bad weather.

All of your food is freshly prepared by our cook. If you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies, these can easily be catered for as long as you let us know beforehand. Your cabin is warm, yet well ventilated with at least two sources of natural light. This all helps to minimise any feelings of being in 'cramped' conditions.

"But what if the weather DOES get rough....?" Well, above all else, we'll make sure that you are safe. Unfortunately, we can't control the weather, but we can decide where we sail and when. There is absolutely no point in taking risks, and our aim is to give you a holiday that you'll never forget for all of the right reasons! For additional cruising comfort, Elizabeth G is fitted with stabilisers - not a necessary piece of equipment, but a welcome addition on any vessel if the sea decides to get a bit 'lumpy'. The stabilising system on Elizabeth G consists of two hydraulically operated fins - or planes - fitted to the underside of the hull. When activated they gently dampen any rolling motion in the boat by pivoting gently as we sail along.

"But I'm worried that I'll be seasick.... " O.K. we can understand that. However, most people - especially if they haven't sailed before - find that their fear of seasickness is worse than their actual experience when on board, and very few people are actually unwell. The skipper is well aware of the fact that you're on holiday and wherever possible will avoid long or rough sea crossings. If you're at all anxious we'll give you as much assistance and advice as possible to make sure that you're just fine.

"Will I get eaten alive by midges...?" Well, we could say 'only if the Haggis don't get you first....', but that's not exactly helpful. Midges can be a problem later in the summer when you're walking ashore. However, as we normally anchor offshore every evening, they seldom present a problem while you're on board Chalice. The best repellent that we've found is Avon Skin So Soft dry oil body spray. We haven't got a clue why the little critters don't like it, but it does work. Available from you local Avon Lady, the Avon Website , and Gavins Barbers Shop , Combie Street, Oban (honest!).

"I'm single, and a little cautious about travelling on my own....would a holiday on Chalice be suitable for me..?" One of the unusual things about the 'Chalice experience' is the way in which we find our guests just seem to 'gel' with each other. It's probably the relaxed, informal atmosphere and the diverse and mixed background of the passengers that make things easy. Normally, we'd expect that on any one cruise there would be a mixture of couples, friends travelling together, and single people. If you're a little shy, then don't worry - we always respect the individual needs and expectations of guests and will tactfully make sure that you're comfortable with your surroundings at all times. Single women travellers have often commented about how they were surprised at how easy it is to 'fit in' with everything that was going on, not feeling at all excluded or alone.

"Do I need to be super-fit?" No. You're going on holiday, not an assault course. However, you should be aware that you need to be reasonably mobile and capable of climbing steps or ladders in order to be able to board and leave Elizabeth G safely. When we're cruising, we will avoid using commercial piers which means that shore visits will be made using our Zodiac. Once ashore, you can walk as much or as little as you like. We're always there to give you a hand, and we don't mind one bit if you're a little slow - we'd rather think of this as 'cautious'! Very sensible!

"I don't really know a lot about wildlife and birds - will I feel left out?" Of course not. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy whatever you see. Most of our trips are accompanied by an experienced guide or observer, who is on hand to point out anything of interest. There's a huge variety of wildlife in the Hebrides, from otters to basking sharks and butterflies to eagles. It's usually the case that some guests will be quite knowledgable on their particular interest and they'll normally be quite happy to share this with you.

"How long do we sail for each day?" This will vary between cruises. On a St Kilda cruise, you should be prepared for passages of up to 8 hours or more, although these would not normally be undertaken in harsh sea conditions. Otherwise, on average, we would normally sail for around four or five hours a day, allowing a break for lunch and time for you to go ashore and explore.

"Am I likely to be subjected to a boat full of screaming children?" Absolutely not! We have a suggested minimum age limit of 14 years for our cruises. This doesn't mean that children are 'banned' and we've enjoyed the company of some fantastic youngsters in the past. However, anyone thinking about bringing a young person or child with them should talk to us beforehand to make sure that the holiday is appropriate for them.

Have we missed anything? Please email us and let us know. Thank you.