PS Waverley, the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer will for the first time, it has been announced set sail for a cruise from Warrenpoint Harbour, Co. Down on Tuesday, 30th May.
Waverley will offer local people the unique opportunity to step aboard in Warrenpoint (as seen above, last year) for an evening sunset cruise, as the 700 passenger capacity veteran vessel steams down Carlingford Lough.
Since the announcement last week (Afloat adds, the cruise from Warrenpoint is fully booked) on the excursion that will also take in the coastline passing Kilkeel Bay to Russell’s Point.
Waverley’s General Manager, Paul Semple, commented, “I am delighted to announce that Waverley will be sailing from Warrenpoint for her first ever passenger sailing from the Port. I hope this surprise announcement will be welcomed by many as they will now get the opportunity to step aboard this famous ship. Waverley offers a truly unique experience with her powerful triple expansion steam engine and massive paddles, giving people the chance to sail on board for the first time on Carlingford Lough.
“Over the past few weeks, we have been in dialogue with the management team at Warrenpoint Harbour following Waverley’s fuel stop last October. When the suggestion was made that we could offer a cruise this time, the Harbour team were fully supportive. We look forward to bringing Waverley to the town and giving the public the chance to experience a trip aboard a paddle steamer.”
Waverley’s main summer season is spent operating a variety of traditional day trips from Glasgow and around the Clyde Coast and also England and Wales. The steamer has given occasional cruises from Belfast and further north from Red Bay, Co. Antrim in the past, but Warrenpoint has not been on the cruising schedule, until now. (Afloat adds, the paddle steamer for the first time called to the Republic at Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, etc with cruises in 1984 and a return to the Irish capital in 2001, see story).
David Holmes, CEO Warrenpoint Harbour said, “We are thrilled to be teaming up with the Waverley to offer this unique sunset cruise from Warrenpoint. As a commercial port, it is very seldom the opportunity presents itself to allow us to board passengers here, so this is very exciting for us. The cruise ship schedule last summer was very popular with the local community turning out to watch the ships coming in and out. We hope that Waverley will offer a tourism boost for the town coming on the back of the Blues on the Bay Festival, with an opportunity to eat in the town beforehand or stay over and enjoy the local hospitality afterwards.”
Waverley entered service in 1947 and was the last paddle steamer built for service on the Clyde, Afloat adds for operator London and North Eastern Railway. In the following year due to Nationalisation of Railways, the vessel became part of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company (CSP) until 1972, a year before the the company became Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac).
Following a major public appeal, the Waveley re-entered service in 1973 after the vessel was gifted for £1 and officially handed over to Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., a company formed by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.
Since 1975 Waverley has carried over 6 million passengers and earned herself a loyal following in several areas around the UK including the South Coast and Thames. More recently in 2019 a public appeal raised £2.3m to replace the steam boilers and save the vessel from withdrawal.
The 623 tonnes steamer has a range of facilities including a self-service restaurant, bar lounges, tea bar and souvenir shop selling a wide variety of exclusive gifts. The main attraction is to watch the steam engine, which is open to full view, as it drives the ship’s paddles.
As mentioned above, tickets for the excursion operated by Waverley Excursions have since been sold out. (For more cruises operating elsewhere this season, click here).
The Waverley's once-off cruise from Warrenpoint Port is to start at 7pm with the steamer returning at 10pm.
Access to the ship will be via the Town Dock office at Warrenpoint Square. Please note there will be no access via the main port entrance.
