At home in the South Australian waters of the Murray River, the PS Murray Princess has journeyed up and down the length of Australia’s longest river since its launch in 1986. Boasting the title as the largest authentic paddle wheeler in the southern hemisphere, at 1,500 tonnes and 67 metres long, it regularly carts up to 120 passengers at a time between Murray Bridge and Blanchetown SA, showcasing the tranquil Riverland all the while.
On 1 March 2019, I boarded the Murray Princess to embark on the 3-night Murray River Discovery Cruise, traveling from Mannum down to Murray Bridge, then up to Walker Flat, before returning to Mannum a few days later.
The setting as you approach the vessel at its berth in Mannum can only be described as serene and it certainly sets the precedent for the upcoming days. As I neared, I was greeted warmly by a delightful gentleman who turned out be the Captain of the ship himself, which immediately indicated the phenomenal level of service we were set to receive over the journey. This certainly held true over the course of the voyage and I hold no reservation in saying that the entirety of the crew elevated the experience to be absolutely unforgettable. Each member of the crew was super friendly and engaging, and their attentiveness could not be faulted. I and many others on board felt we were leaving old friends behind when it eventually came time to disembark.
The ship’s captain proceeded to show me through the lounge area at the aft of the ship, wood panelled, and brass trimmed, they are a great spot for a coffee and board game with friends or to sit and watch the enormous paddlewheel through the floor to ceiling windows, as it propels the Princess onwards.
After checking in at the lounge area, I was escorted by one of the crew members to my cabin, a cosy twin share outside cabin on Cadell Deck. As they informed me of the scheduling and activities planned, I could not help but be impressed by the great use of space within the limited real estate.
The next couple of days served to rocket me into a state of relaxation I was not altogether ready for. Between indulging in 3 hearty meals a day on Sturt Deck showcasing locally sourced ingredients, exploring the banks of the Murray River during the different included shore excursions and sitting up on the Sun Deck with a drink watching the world roll slowly by, even the most hard earned stress will have a hard time keeping hold after a short time on board.
The highlight of this particular voyage, many would agree, is the Captains Dinner on the final night of the journey. A formal sit-down dinner with awesome food and wine and the epitome of guest-crew interaction. In their finest attire the majority of the crew join the guests at their tables for the final meal before getting up and providing the entertainment of the evening, in the form of song, dance and some rather hilariously unconventional theatre.
Altogether the PS Murray Princess is an incredibly unique experience and would certainly be my preferred way to explore this little slice of South Australian paradise. It is a great way to make both friends and memories that will last a lifetime, memories of great food, great company and breathtaking sunsets. I cannot recommend the PS Murray Princess enough for your next Murray River experience.
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Image credit: Captain Cook Cruises.
