Murray Princess Review

Larger than other vessels on the river, the Murray Princess is built from steel and hardwood timber, with decorative lacework, a matching pair of smokestacks and a working paddle wheel that drives the ship. The wheel is 9 metres (29.5 feet) tall and has a diameter of just under 6 metres (20 feet); the original was just replaced in early 2015. The ship sits low on the water, with a waterline length of just over 67.4 metres (211 feet), an overall length of just under 70 metres (230 feet), and width of 14 metres (46 feet); that makes it just small enough to fit through the Murray's locks, and under the Paringa Bridge near the Victorian border. However, it's the draft of just 1.1 metres (3.6 feet) that enables the distinctive paddle wheeler to navigate the Murray's waters, which vary in depth and have been low in the recent past. Currently the river is deemed "full," which makes the best conditions possible for cruising.

Captain Cook Cruises (part of the Sealink Travel Group, which operates cruises in Sydney, Fiji and the Great Barrier Reef) bought the Murray Princess in 1988. It was a natural fit for the local, small-ship cruise line, offering a relaxing and informal way to explore one of Australia's iconic waterways. It cruises at a leisurely six knots, exploring townships by day and tucking away in quiet mooring spots at night.

The ship has a traditional interior decor to match her exterior stateliness, embracing the paddle wheelers of a bygone era with dark wood, dark leather and brass fittings. As is the style of authentic paddle wheelers, outside cabins open onto a shared deck, and there isn't much outdoor space. The ship is showing its age in places, but a 2012 dry dock renovation included upgrading some cabins and staterooms with a more modern look. Further enhancements including additional cabin makeovers took place in January 2015.

The Murray Princess is very much an experience appealing to a mature audience, with plenty of early mornings and early nights; on our cruise, the passengers were exclusively retirees, the eldest a former pilot from New Zealand who was 92. It's also a very communal experience with shared tours and meals, aimed at getting people to mix and mingle, sharing stories about their lives as well as their days on board. To make the process easy, on embarkation you're given a Captain Cook name tag which has your first name, the Australian state or country you're from, and your dining table assignment number written on the front, so you quickly get to know your shipmates. Many were seasoned cruise travellers who had sailed previously on the high seas and on river cruises in Europe.

The Murray Princess is all about the great outdoors and exploring. The landscape along the river is rich and varied, ranging from wetlands to sheer limestone cliffs. Gum trees cling to the sides of the cliffs, birds including cockatoos and corellas nest in holes in the rock face, sea eagles soar overhead, and huge pelicans skim the waterline. Along the way the river bank is dotted with tiny townships and settlements steeped in history; regardless of where you are on the river, activities on a given day can range from wildlife spotting to nature walks, and history tours to wine tasting. It's a relaxed and casual experience with an "open-door policy," which allows passengers to chat with the captain in the wheel room (what they call a bridge on these types of vessels) at any time.

There are a few shortcomings which may disappoint younger or traditional cruise fans; a lack of open deck space and the absence of a pool or a jacuzzi are the most obvious. It's not an all-inclusive experience; you'll rack up extra charges for all alcohol, soft drinks and specialty coffees; and additional shore experiences including the Bush Tucker Breakfast and Nocturnal Tour in Sunnydale. Transfers from three pickup points in Adelaide are included in the fare.

Overall, a cruise on Murray Princess is a fun and enjoyable (if not inexpensive) experience; for many people who go, it's undoubtedly a "bucket list" trip. If you enjoy relaxed cruising, community spirit, exploring quaint townships and seeing plenty of wildlife, it is one to put on the list. And there's no chance of getting seasick.