Savings for 2025 sailings – Book by September 30, 2024
Huge demand has led Murray River Paddlesteamers to announce it will offer two overnight riverboats for the first time from August, 2025, following a decision to keep current vessel, PS Emmylou, operating under a new charter alongside the new, bigger, five-star, overnight vessel, PS Australian Star, which will debut next June.
Murray River Paddlesteamers announced that Australia’s leading tour and cruise operator, APT Travel Group, will exclusively charter 38 sailings on PS Emmylou in 2025-2026 under its Travelmarvel brand. Earlier this year, it was announced APT had chartered 31 seven-night sailings of the new $6.75 million PS Australian Star for 2025-26
Murray River Paddlesteamers Director, Craig Burgess said the initial intention was for its current, overnight riverboat, the famous, 16-guest PS Emmylou, to retire from multi-day trips and offer day cruises after it was succeeded by the new, luxury, 38-guest PS Australian Star from June, 2025 but huge demand for both vessels and an early success in bookings for APT’s charter of Australian Star had led to the decision to keep Emmylou operating alongside Australian Star from August, 2025, supported by the APT Travel Group charter partnership.
“This means that, for the first time, we will have two, deluxe, overnight riverboats operating year-round on the Murray River from Echuca in Victoria from mid-2025, which is very exciting for us and the evolution of river cruising in Australia,” Mr Burgess said. “Huge demand for APT’s charter cruises on the new Australian Star from June, 2025, prompted Travelmarvel to also exclusively charter Emmylou for 38 four-night cruises from August next year.
“The stunning success of our collaboration with APT shows there is huge demand for premium, overnight river cruises in Australia,” he said. “As a major player in luxury travel packages, APT brings to our vessels a vast and thriving market and sales network, both domestically and internationally, ensuring that record numbers of visitors from around Australia and overseas will soon be enjoying relaxing and stylish holidays on the Murray River.”
Mr Burgess said PS Emmylou will offer a brand new four-night itinerary round-trip from Echuca from August 12, 2025, with Travelmarvel exclusively selling four four-night cruises per month, coupled with extended land touring. The new, four-night river journeys will go on sale from September, 2024.
Mr Burgess said Emmylou will undergo maintenance and refurbishment from June to August next year after the new Australian Star paddlesteamer commences operations next June as Australia’s first, five-star, overnight riverboat and the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere, offering, three, four and seven-night sailings from Echuca. Australian Star is currently under construction in Mildura.
“It’s clear Australians are nostalgic and love Emmylou and want her to continue offering overnight journeys on the Murray,” he said. “But from August, 2025,and thanks to APT, there’ll be a choice of two vessels – the old and the new – with different itineraries, size of vessel and onboard ambience, creating a diversity in product that meets market demand and augurs well for the future of river cruising in Australia.”
Savings of 10 per cent for Emmylou 2025 departures
Murray River Paddlesteamers is offering savings of 10 per cent for PS Emmylou’s remaining three, four and seven-night sailings from January to May 2025, when her current program ends. Emmylou will then undergo maintenance next June and July before her Travelmarvel charter begins in August, 2025
Including the 10 per cent discount, twin-share fares in 2025 are available from $1800 per person for a three-night sailing, $2400 per person for a four-night cruise and $4200 for a seven-night journey.
Cruise fares include return V/Line train trips between Melbourne and Echuca or carparking in Echuca, all onboard meals, daily shore excursions, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise and coach transfers during the cruise.
PS 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. Powered by a restored 1906 steam engine and totally refurbished with deluxe cabins and ensuites, the charm-filled riverboat 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.
Call Murray River Paddlesteamers on 03 5482 5244 or visit www.mrps.com.au
** A 10 per cent commission is paid to travel agents. Fares and offers are subject to availability and conditions apply.
