Since their introduction in April this year, new, longer, seven night paddlesteamer cruises on the Murray River have proven a big hit, with the extended, week-long journeys aboard the famous PS Emmylou booking well in advance.
To inspire early bookers, Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings of up to $1190 per couple and a zero solo surcharge on a range of seven-night cruises from Echuca, Victoria, in 2024 and 2025. The savings are for bookings made before September 30, 2023
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director, Craig Burgess, said high demand for longer cruises led to the new seven-night itinerary from Echuca being introduced in April this year, with the move proving “incredibly popular”.
“We’re finding people, especially those from interstate and further away, are wanting a longer break to relax on the river and make the trip more worthwhile,” Mr Burgess said. “A week on the graceful river aboard our charm-filled riverboat, PS Emmylou, with gourmet meals and shore experiences included, is very soothing and calming – a total escape – with guests pampered from dawn to dusk.
“Our faithful, heritage-filled riverboat seamlessly blends the old with the new to offer lazy, luxury cruises that immerse you in a bygone era but with modern-day comforts.”
Plying Australia’s longest and most famous river, the Murray, the enchanting, wood-fired paddlesteamer, Emmylou, starred in the hit 1980s TV mini-series, ‘All the Rivers Run’, starring Sigrid Thornton, and is still one of the most recognisable and iconic paddlesteamers in Australia. PS Emmylou is the world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer carrying overnight guests.
Carrying just 16 pampered guests, powered by a restored 1906 steam engine and totally refurbished with deluxe cabins and ensuites, the legendary PS Emmylou offers authentic, all-inclusive journeys along the mighty Murray with stops to visit wineries, historic farm stations, indigenous sites, wildlife along tributaries and country towns. Each evening, PS Emmylou ties up at tranquil and remote moorings, allowing guests to experience the serenity and wildlife of the bush at night.
Each luxury cabin has a private ensuite, is individually air-conditioned, has Wi-Fi and opens directly onto the paddle steamer’s large timber deck. Guests enjoy gourmet meals on deck or in the charming saloon, riverside picnics and a memorable campfire dinner on the riverbank.
Savings for 2024/25 cruises booked by September 30, 2023
Until September 30, 2023, Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings for couples of up to $1190 for seven-night cruises leaving from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The maximum saving of $1190 per couple applies to cruises in June, July and August next year, with other savings for different dates.
Including the discount, fares for seven-night cruises from April 1, 2024, are available from $3605 per person, twin-share (June-August sailings) – saving $1190 per couple.
A zero surcharge for solo travellers during winter 2024 has also cut the cost of a seven-night journey to $4200. A reduced 50 per cent solo surcharge applies for other months in 2024.
The savings for couples and solos on cruises from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, apply to bookings made by September 30, 2023.
Fares include onboard meals, daily shore excursions and experiences, V Line train between Melbourne and Echuca, cruise transfers, Wi-Fi, gratuities, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise. The special offers are subject to availability and conditions apply.
Murray River Paddlesteamers pays 10 per cent commission to travel agents.
Call Murray River Paddlesteamers on 03 5482 5244 or visit www.psemmyloucruises.com
