I Spent 3 Nights on a Paddle Steamer! PS Emmylou and the Murray River

[@stephaniemyersacademy]

How amazing! This vlog is so much better than I imagined this experience could be. Such a hidden gem and I truly hope it inspires more people to experience our mighty Australian waterway in style. ❤ So much heart, passion for country and true Aussie culture. Loved it, Adrian! Well done 🎉 Ps. Jam then cream 😅 always!!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Steph! So glad that all came across in the video 😁 And I’m glad everyone seems to agree that jam goes onto a scone first! 😂

[@Vexatious011]

Jam then cream! Always. This looked like a wonderful way to look at a piece of Australia. Very different from your Kimberly cruise, but I think they both honour very different parts of our beautiful country.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

It just makes sense, the cream is lighter than the jam! 😆 Totally agree - so much to see in this amazing country.

[@juliedahl507]

Great video, I enjoyed watching your trip.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@coleenbrennen487]

Oh wow! This looked amazing !! Will definitely add this to my travel plans for 2025!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

You should! So glad, thanks for watching.

[@michellemanton434]

Thank you, I would never have known or considered this cruise before your video. I am going to book a trip. Looks amazing.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching.

[@64relle]

Loved this ! I don’t think Hubby and I could sleep in the beds lol . Jam then cream ! Thanks for sharing . Truly inspiring 😊

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks so much! haha yes the bedding arrangements are interesting, but the Australian Star looks like it will be a completely different experience!

[@rodericksmith8218]

Excellent photography, and a great summary of the experience. Yes, Emmylou is the only wood-fired paddlesteamer offering overnight cruises *regularly*. Also on the Murray, centenarian PS Ruby (Wentworth, NSW) offers them occasionally; centenarian PS Marion (Mannum SA, run by volunteers) offers a varied program through the year, including upstream to Swan Reach for a festival, and across Lake Alexandrina. Both offer similar Australian hospitality, and great cuisine. Every 2 years, Marion voyages to Berri, 370 km, for survey slipping. Murray River is *not* the world's third-longest navigable river; it doesn't even reach the top eight. It is blocked at Yarrawonga by a weir with no lock. Hume Weir was built upstream of the navigable limit. The upper reaches are also blocked with low bridges, lots of snags, and often lack of depth. Most medium boats can navigate 1980 km, in some months of most years. Trailable kayaks and dinghies (tinnies) can come 2350 km, in most seasons of most years; many have youtube videos showing the adventure. I have covered about 1000 km in assorted paddlesteamers, and 2250 km in my own shallow-draft trailable cabin cruiser. Whatever the style, the climate, scenery, wildlife and sense of history are there to be enjoyed.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for watching! Emmylou provides for an incredible, Australian river cruise experience! You'll need to get in touch with the Australian Government's Murray-Darling Basin Authority to argue the point as to whether to not the Murray is or isn't the world's third longest navigable river - that's well above my pay grade. Here's the link www.mdba.gov.au/news-and-events/newsroom/majestic-murray-river-dominates-tourism-icon-category

[@lesliemckay2835]

I am so glad you enjoyed the River cruise so much. I fully expected that would be the case. Thank you for a very descriptive and comprehensive and enjoyable video. Now for the jam or cream debate. Devonshire scones are cream first with the jam (fruit) on top. Cornwall scones are jam first with the cream on top. So it depends what your host is calling the service. Devonshire high tea or Cornish high tea.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for the scon'e-ducation! I never knew that. Totally loved the cruise, was such a fun experience.

[@mandynichols2447]

Definitely jam first

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

The only way!

[@SnL-2012]

What a fantastic trip you had, it looks like a lot of fun. It is on the pricey side though…It looks like Michael certainly had a great time. 😀 The poached eggs looked perfect to me!! 😊 Definitely jam before cream on scones, otherwise the jam will slide off. 😳

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

It was definitely a heap of fun! Pricey but lots of inclusions and a very unique experience - and so glad the jam first team are winning here haha!

[@johni0666]

Wonderful review. I’m excited to do the trip after your brilliant video.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tracycarr-mayhew3380]

Wowsa, looks amazing! Looked very serene with stunning Aussie fauna and flora. A great review, thanks! Oh, defo jam first.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Haha glad we're all on the same page re the jam! Thanks for watching.

[@deanchappel5596]

Thanks Adrian a great review, we have relations in Echuca and have been on many paddle steamers. Have always thought of doing a cruise but the costs high. I can understand why from your review. Thanks for that. Dean

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Dean!

[@paulasquires8256]

Jam first, then cream. So keen to do this! Thanks Adrian!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Another vote for jam first!

[@ontheroadwithjohn]

Travelling on the Murray is one of my todo things i want to do one. This looks like it was an excellent trip. I just did a day cruise in South Australia but the Echuca region will be a big high. Nice video

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

It was so much fun. Very unique! Thanks for watching.

[@cjwilli100]

Definitely jam first then cream on top. Looks like a great cruise.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

It was a heap of fun! Glad we're all on the same page on the scone debate haha!

[@andredegruchy-bott9140]

Definitely jam first! *shock* that there's any other option! 🙂 I've seen the Emmylou a few times in my life. I think it could be a great trip for us to do. It's not THAT far from where we live (by Aussie standards!) 🙂

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Haha always! It was a super fun experience, and still ranks as one of my favourite ‘cruises’, mostly because of the people we met along the way and how unique it was. PS Australian Star is launching next year, she’ll replace Emmylou on the overnight cruises and she will bring a huge leap in amenity and design as well.

[@nicholasanderson7599]

OMG, I would be scared seeing that boat as I was walking up to it; however, it looked absolutely amazing and glad you shared it with us! I live on the Mississippi River in the US and have been tempted to take the steamboat down to New Orleans and might have to do that now. Also, jam and then cream but what does this American know, haha

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha! It was definitely different, but we loved the experience. Well you might be American but I think jam then cream is the right way to go 😆

[@happytraveller2122]

Fabulous

[@mattashman4040]

Just got back from the 3 night cruise, fantastic.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

How good is it!? Such a cool experience.

[@rmpa5727]

Adrian always wanted to cruise the Murray, good video, looks wonderful. I believe Aussies need to tour our own land more. And you've been on all sorts of sea vessels by the looks of it, have you tried freight? I mean cargo ships, I found sites a few years ago that claim they book cargo births for paying passengers.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I've not cruised on freighters but I have looked into it... not sure if I'm ready for that just yet but it is on the list!

[@jeremy1350]

In the spirit of "Steamboat Willy" I dub thee "Steamboat Adrian" Oh, that breakfast plate looks very yummy !! A very enjoyable review. I guess we can also add the titles, Adrian of the Outback, and The story teller of the Murray !! The new paddle wheeler looks really nice. Well done.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha! Love it 🤣 thanks as always!

[@grandmasmagic3858]

I was researching this cruise back in 2021/22..I'd still like to try it, maybe next year...I'm a solo traveller though, so if I were to book it would probably be a cabin with the two single beds..thanks for sharing this..

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for watching! They do sometimes have solo traveller offers available so it's worth checking from time to time. The double bed and twin bed cabins are also the same cost, so might be worth exploring that.

[@juliegrace9392]

I'm definitely convinced.

[@elletee]

Adds to bucket list.

[@passionatelifeproject]

How amazing. I grew up on the Murray and have sailed on many paddle-boats but never overnight. I'd love to do this. I do miss the Murray (as I no longer live there). One question, where was your Espresso Martini Adrian? It looks like Michael stole it? PS. Jam first!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha! From memory, I was holding one while I filmed Michael with his... 🫣 Another for jam first!

[@waza987]

Interesting that one of the excursions on a river cruise was a river cruise.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha yes, we had a bit of a laugh at that - was still fun though

[@mrscuteas]

Definitely jam first then cream 👍🏻

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

The only way!

[@jasonhutch9393]

Jam on the scones. 😊

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

🤤 sounds right to me!

[@scoutguard3015]

Paddle steamers are my favourite ships, i would pay ten times more to replace a cruise with a paddle steamer

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

They're such fun! A really cool way to explore the landscape.

[@bhhardgr01]

The mississippi is approx. 2300 miles

[@ann-mareeturnbull7864]

Always jam then cream

[@chrisbates8064]

Jam

[@annaphillips4085]

At about 1:30 you zoom in on the Satellite Map of Torrumbarry, not Echuca... ;-)

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Yes, because that’s where we ended up, it’s the cruise route as per the caption 😁

[@annaphillips4085]

@@TheCruiseandTravelGuy That's not evident from your narration. As you mention Echuca being the starting point of the cruise you show a map of Torrumbary. Looks like a mistake to me.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

@@annaphillips4085 you’re entitled to that view but it doesn’t mean you’re correct. As per the caption in the video and my reply to your previous comment, it’s the cruise route overview. Just a little tip from me, don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy cruising ❤️

[@annaphillips4085]

That's not even my point.. I just think it could have been clearer. But ok. I'm well aware of the route, having sailed with the Emmylou myself in the past and being a resident of Echuca I know the river and both towns very well... Anyway, have a nice day

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

@@annaphillips4085 but is it just unclear or a mistake? You’ve identified it as both now. I suppose my point is, I explained why the video pans to T-Weir twice and you don’t seem to accept the answer but I’m also not sure what you’d like from me? Echuca is gorgeous by the way and I definitely need to spend more time there when I return soon! Beautiful little town.

[@julianigoe1291]

Sorry I'm non traditional. I like butter and Vegemite on my scones 😀😀

[@andrewgrant1982]

I love grated parmesan cheese on mine

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha I would enjoy that too! Probably doesn't get more Aussie than that, actually.

[@wmmorsch]

Yeah thanks mate, now on the wife's bucket list and guess who's paying...

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha! 🤣 love it

[@252412kl]