PS Murray Princess

The 1988-built PS Murray Princess cruise ship is a stern paddlewheel riverboat owned by aaa and operated under long-term charter by Captain Cook Cruises Australia.

Murray Princess is homeported in Mannum (South Australia) for roundtrip voyages exclusively on the Murray River. The boat's regular cruise schedule includes a 3-night itinerary (departing each Friday), a 4-night itinerary (departing each Monday) as well as a 7-night B2B/combined itinerary (departing either on Fridays or Mondays).

There are also "special" Murray Princess cruises, like the 7-night one-way itineraries from Mannum to either Renmark or Loxton.

The boat has 5 decks, of which 3 are with cabins (passenger and crew staterooms).

The vessel is Australia-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Mannum.

Murray Princess has 60 cabins which include inside, outside and limited mobility/wheelchair-accessible staterooms.

Probably the most popular venue onboard is the 2-deck PaddleWheel Lounge, with floor-ceiling windows that look out on the large stern paddlewheel.

The 4th Deck/Sturt Deck houses the Sturt Deck Bar and the Sturt Dining Room Restaurant.

During the sunny days, tourists can venture up to the Sun Deck and enjoy the passing scenery views.

The boat also has a small wellness facility grouping a Gym and a Spa (Sauna Room and Massage Room).

The Murray Princess paddle-wheeler is the latest of such ships that date back to the late 19th century. At a little more than 67 m (220 ft) in length and weighing just more than 1500 tonnes, PS Murray Princess is the biggest paddle-wheeler ever to operate on River Murray, as well as the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.

For similarly designed (but way larger) paddlewheel riverboats in the USA, you can check the fleets of American Cruise Lines and the American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company (AQSC).

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.