riverboat cruise mildura

Mildura Cruises

Mildura wharf, mildura vic 3500.

0477 932 789

Mildura Paddle Steamers

• Add to itinerary

Mildura's only operating historical Paddle Vessels.

Licensed Bar, Air Conditioned/Heated. All weather Boat. Conveniences. Please board prior to advertised departure times. Credit card & EFTPOS facilities on board vessels.

Location & Directions

Mildura Wharf, 151 Hugh King Drive, MILDURA, Victoria, 3500, Australia

The Mildura Wharf is located in Hugh King Drive, at the centre of the Mildura Riverfront Precinct. If you are heading down Deakin Avenue, you will turn right into Seventh Street, then your first LEFT will take you under the railway line and the Wharf and Carpark are straight ahead of you.

Cancellation Policy

Ticket refunds are not available onboard vessels. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to departure are non-refundable.

Paddleboats on the Murray

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Paddleboats on the Murray - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

YOUR EXPERIENCE IS OUR PRIORITY

Mildura Cruises was born out of the love of living by the Mighty Murray River and the experiences that the McLaughlan family grew up with. Back in December 2016 the husband and wife team purchased the Riverqueen Voyager from the ‘River King’ Wayne Roberts and Gayle Kennedy who were the founding operators for over 17 years.

Dennis and Veronica embraced this newfound adventure due to the many water cruises they had experienced with Wayne and Gayle. They enjoyed the pleasure of getting on the boat, having a sip and enjoying a nibble whilst they floated along the Mighty Murray River. An extremely relaxing way to see this local beauty.

We now fast forward to 2024 and the McLaughlan family have now grown their business and expanded their fleet to THREE vessels operating throughout the year.

WHAT WE OFFER

Mildura Cruises offers serval different  experiences  across all three vessels from our smallest vessel holding up to 12 guests to our largest vessel holding up to 80 guests.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES 

HIGH TEAS 

CORPORATE EVENTS 

WINERY CRUISES

 SUNSET CRUISES

CARAVAN PARK  CRUISES 

PRIVATE EVENTS 

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

BAR AND CAFE ON THE RIVER 

       AND SO MUCH MORE.....

Testimonials

Did a Sunset Cruise with Mildura Cruises. 

Had a fantastic time and our hosts were great!!!!

Would definitely recommend this as a great experience for young and old

Annette -facebook

100% recommend Mildura Cruises for any party or function you may be having.  

Great friendly team, awesome catering and  Great boat. 

Jayson -facebook

We had a lovely day cruise to Trentham winery. Dennis was super friendly and helpful in every way. Even came and picked us up & dropped us off at the caravan park. Will definitively go again and highly recommended to anyone else visiting the region

Jan -facebook

• Discover Murray River Road Trail
• A River Worth Saving
• Murray-Darling Basin
• Locks, Weirs, Dams & Barrages
• Water Use & Consumption
• River Red Gums
• Murray River Maps
• About Discover Murray River
• Discover Murray River Media
• Murray River Facebook Page
• Murray River Photos
• Murray Bird Aerial Videos
• Murray Mallee Stories
• Digital Museum
• Murray River Timelines
• Murray River History
• Aboriginals and the Murray
• Hovell & Hume and the Murray
• Captain Charles Sturt
• The First Paddlesteamers
• The Mary Ann Boiler
• The Chaffey Brothers & Irrigation
• Explorers, Bushrangers & Legends
• ACARA - Australian Curriculum
• Murray River Education Index
• About the Murray River
• Pre-historic Mega Fauna
• Murray River Locks & Weirs
• Free Educational Photos
• Snowy Mountains Scheme
• Murray-Darling Basin Authority
• Murray-Darling Association
• Water Authorities
• The Living Murray
• Local Councils & Shires
• Regional Development Bodies
• Australian Government
• New South Wales Government
• South Australian Government
• Victorian Government
• Associations & Community Groups
• Water Trading
• Boating the Murray River
• Boats for Sale - Trader
• River Cruises
• Houseboat Hire & Rentals
• Locks & Weirs Information
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Water Skiing Safety
• Water Update Information
• Murray Shop
• All Murray River & Mallee Towns
• Corryong (VIC)
• Albury (NSW) Wodonga (VIC)
• Yarrawonga (VIC) Mulwala (NSW)
• Echuca (VIC) Moama (NSW)
• Swan Hill (VIC)
• Robinvale (VIC) / Euston (NSW)
• Mildura (VIC)
• Wentworth (NSW)
• Renmark / Paringa (SA)
• Loxton (SA)
• Morgan (SA)
• Mannum (SA)
• Murray Bridge (SA)
• Tailem Bend (SA)
• Goolwa (SA)
• Accommodation
• Big Murray Houseboat Guide
• Houseboat Packages & Deals
• Murray River Houseboat Regions
• Houseboating Landscapes Guide
• Houseboat Frequent Questions
• South Australian Houseboat Map
• Steep Banks & River Gums (VIC/NSW)
• Cliffs & Outback River (SA/VIC/NSW)
• Golden Limestone Cliffs (SA)
• Lower Murray & Cliffs (SA)
• All Murray River Accommodation
• Accommodation Packages & Deals
• Caravan Parks
• RV Murray River Experiences
• Historic Properties
• From the Mountains (VIC/NSW)
• Plains, Lakes & Lower Murray (SA)
• Paddlesteamers & Paddleboats
• PS Cumberoona (Yarrawonga/Mulwala)
• Kingfisher Cruises (Barmah/Echuca)
• MV Mary Ann (Echuca/Moama)
• Murray River Paddlesteamers (Echuca)
• Echuca Paddlesteamers (Echuca)
• Mildura Paddleboats (Mildura)
• Rivergum Cruises (Waikerie)
• Four Knots Cruises (Mannum)
• Murray Princess (Mannum)
• PS Marion (Mannum)
• Proud Mary Cruises (Murray Bridge)
• Cruise the Coorong (Goolwa)
• Spirit of the Coorong (Goolwa)
• Attractions & Activities
• Aboriginal Experiences
• Bird & Birdwatching Trail
• Canoeing & Kayaking
• Drives along the Murray
• Historic Experiences & Museums
• National Parks
• Romantic Getaways
• Slow Food & Flavours
• Wine Regions
• Promote your Event for Free
• All Murray River Events
• Food & Wine Events
• Markets & Shows
• Music Events
• Motor & Automotive Events
• Sport Events
• Christmas & Easter Events
• New South Wales Events
• Victorian Events
• South Australian Events
• Murray River Distance Chart
• Murray River RV Trail
• Murray River RV Dump Points
• Murray River War Trail
• Murray River Heritage Trail
• Visitor Centres
• Travel Tips
• Plan Your Trip
• Regional Weather
• Fruit Fly Quarantine Zones
• Murray River Tourism Links

Victoria / NSW

• Albury / Wodonga
• Corowa / Wahgunyah
• Yarrawonga / Mulwala
• Cobram / Barooga
• Echuca / Moama
• Barham / Koondrook
• Robinvale / Euston

South Australia

• Renmark / Paringa
• Murray Bridge
• Customs House
• Kingston on Murray
• Blanchetown
• Murray River cruising
• Specials & packages
• Paddlesteamer cruises

Welcome to Mildura, Victoria & the Outback Murray River

Mildura town guide, mildura events, mildura accommodation, mildura houseboats, mildura restaurants & food, mildura river cruises, mildura tours & touring, mildura heritage & historic, mildura wines & wineries, mildura attractions and activities, mildura arts & culture, mildura paddlesteamers, mildura council, mildura cafe, mildura photos, mildura weather, towns near mildura, mildura's natural beauty, mediterranean climate and fascinating history.

Often referred to as where the Mediterranean meets the outback, Mildura is a perfect place to indulge in the best of cosmopolitan hospitality with the easy-going personality a major regional centre. Alive with lush green golf courses, citrus groves and vineyards, endless sunshine and sandy river beaches, Mildura and its surrounding towns have an unmistakable flavour of a diverse society.

City sidewalk cafes and precincts of contemporary restaurants constantly surprise dedicated foodies with their innovative fare, fresh local produce, plus premium wines and beers. While in Mildura, taste locally brewed beers at the Mildura Brewery Pub , a state-of-the-art working boutique brewery on full display as patrons enjoy their generous pub fare. If you're looking for a great river pub, head across the Chaffey Bridge to the Gol Gol Hotel .

Mildura and the surrounding towns of Red Cliffs , Irymple , Merbein , Gol Gol , and Buronga have an unmistakable cosmopolitan flavour thanks to a multicultural society. Mouth watering local foods and wines, a healthy arts culture and a busy year round calendar of events are on offer here.

The arts have always been a serious business in Mildura with an eclectic array of theatre, dance, music, literature and visual arts programs on offer throughout the year. Celebrate and enjoy gourmet weekends of Jazz, Food & Wine or fine music featuring outstanding Australian and Italian musicians performing for a community that loves to celebrate.

Touring the area with a local will make all the difference. Selections range from guided Farm Gate tours , Wine & Dine tours along with full day tours to the World Heritage Listed Willandra Lakes system and Mungo National Park . A must visit when in the region as Mungo is the oldest known archeological site for man’s occupation of Australia dating back around 40,000 years. Mungo National Park Tours can be taken from Mungo Lodge and give you a wonderful indigenous experience and story.

Alternatively, hire a bicycle and take the bike track along the river to Apex Park , or learn how Mildura became Australia’s first irrigation colony and trace the developments of Mildura through the Chaffey Trail , a series of walking tracks and driving routes with stop offs at Mildura’s founders, the Chaffey Brothers’ historic Rio Vista House and the impressive new Mildura Arts Centre for a unique cultural experience. You can always walk the Art Deco Walking Tour .

Central to Mildura’s appeal is an excellent range of apartments, hotels and unique B&B accommodation in the city heart allowing guests to stroll amid the modern shopping and restaurant district. Visitors staying on luxury houseboats can moor close to the action, just a five minute walk to the city centre allowing a perfect position to browse riverbank produce stalls at the Saturday farmers markets held twice a month. Many excellent caravan parks also flank Mildura city and prime riverbank locations.

Renowned for its contribution to the nation’s wine industry Mildura is synonymous for its many award-winning vintages. Trentham Estate Winery and restaurant with its panoramic views over the Murray River, historic Chateau Mildura Winery or boutique estates Oak Valley and Nursery Ridge wines offer a rich assortment of choice, as does the new Sunraysia Cellar Door where you can sample some 250 wines from more than 20 local producers.

For a variety of water-based activities on Mildura’s stretch of the Murray River, take a luncheon cruise on Paddle Steamer Melbourne , go canoeing with Wild Side Outdoors , stand-up paddling or hire a run-about - tinny and cruise upstream to the award winning Gol Gol Hotel .

As one of Australia’s most picturesque and diverse regions in which to swing a golf club Mildura and surrounds is home to many top golf courses where everyone from professionals to weekend enthusiasts enjoy the fantastic choice of distinctive places to play.

There's lots to experience in Mildura in 48 hours

Check out what the locals love to do in Mildura! Discover Mildura's great and unique Australian history!

Enjoy hospitality and warmth while staying in comfort at your choice of accommodation . Make the most of the cosmopolitan atmosphere and hospitability with spectacular scenery of the Mildura region. In the city of Mildura, many venues are within walking distance to the town centre, however for those keen to get away from it all, there are a number of accommodation venues located further out in locations in wonderful parts of the region.

Mildura Main Events and Festivals

• Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival - February/March
• Mildura 100 Ski Race - April
• Mildura Cup Carnival - September
• Mildura Jazz Food & Wine Festival - November
• New Year’s Eve Celebration - December

Murray River towns close by:

Mildura Virtual Tour

Sorry, your browser does not support iframes to view this virtual tour.

Explore Mildura

Murray river book : one river, many lands - now only $39.95, the murray river's largest online community and information guide.

Your Personal Guide To The Mildura Region

Exploring mildura: oasis on the murray.

An early summer morning in Mildura, with the promise of a gorgeous sunny day ahead... is there a more perfect place to be in Australia? We don't think so. Endless clear blue skies, and the magnificent Murray river right on your doorstep.

So what is it that makes the perfect holiday destination for you? is it the weather? Well, we've got that covered, that's for sure. Maybe it's motorport, fishing, good food, arts, or plenty of activities to keep the kids amused? Yep, we got those covered too.

Hi there, I'm AJ, your personal guide to our corner of the Mallee. You can read more about me here if you want. I'm here to show you around Mildura, so let's get started.

Eat & Drink Around Mildura

Favourite cafes.

Restaurants

Mildura - the biggest city in the Mallee, with a population of around 35,000 in Mildura itself, and approximately 80,000 residents in the district (though that figure is somewhat debatable 1 ). We love this place, but then again, perhaps we're biased. We do live here, after all.

From watersports to fine food and wine, glorious sunny weather and riverboat cruises, Mildura has something to please everyone. For us, that means the wonderful climate (as long as you like your summers VERY hot!), the golf courses, the friendly people, and of course, the Murray river right on our doorstep.

Events like the "Dash for Cash" water-ski races, and the Jazz and Country music festival attract big crowds every year (although not 2020... due to Covid of course). No matter what time of year you choose to visit, there will be something going on in the Mildura and Sunraysia district.

Just Some Of The Things To See & Do Around Mildura

The chaffey trail.

Fishing The Murray

River Cruises

So come on over and look around... stay a few days (or weeks!) and explore some of the highlights that this region has to offer.

After a hard day taking in the sights and a meal at one of the first class restaurants down "feast street" , you can kick back and watch the sun going down over the Murray. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Backpackers

Take A Day Trip

Arts & Crafts

For current Covid numbers in Mildura, visit the CovidLive website

For the past 2 years, most businesses around Australia had to adjust and make cancellations etc, due to constantly changing COVID requirements. While the details given on this site are for normal service (pre covid), be aware that those could change at any time, and often at short notice. We suggest you visit the Victorian govt CoronaVirus website to get up to date information regarding the current covid situation and/or requirements.

You should also visit the links of any websites facebook pages that we provide for confirmation of schedules, hours of business and so on, rather than relying on information that we give on this website. While we do our very best to give you the most up to date information possible, situations can change day to day, so please... do your own research first, before making any plans.

Stay safe everyone, and take care. Let's all do what we can to look after our friends families and the vulnerable in our community.

This article was printed from ExploreMildura.com

• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

Choose your dates

Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

See photo of the meeting point

What’s it like to dine on Craft, Tampa’s new riverboat cruise?

• Helen Freund Times staff

TAMPA — We almost didn’t make the boat.

Traffic snarled through downtown Tampa and stretched onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, delaying what would have been a 45-minute drive from St. Petersburg to nearly an hour and a half in stop-and-go congestion.

We had reservations for Craft, Tampa’s brand new riverboat dinner cruise set to depart at 7:30 p.m. — and a friendly confirmation email reminding us that our purchase was non-refundable. We’d been encouraged to arrive 45 minutes early, when we would have presumably been able to commence a leisurely boarding, river breeze in our hair, champagne flute in hand.

Life had other plans. At 7:25 p.m., my dinner date and I swung our car into the Garrison Street parking lot, narrowly avoiding getting struck by an oncoming streetcar.

Following a quick security wand-down (the boat adheres to U.S. Coast Guard rules) and a $30 event-fueled parking fee (Tim McGraw was playing a show at nearby Amalie Arena), crew members greeted us with a quick photograph and a glass of bubbly before sending us on our way.

“Welcome to our maiden voyage!” they exclaimed as we rushed aboard.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m., we were off, out of the Ybor Turning Basin and into the sunset.

Described as a “culinary and cocktail river journey,” Craft debuted its inaugural dinner cruise on March 15. The multi-million-dollar project is the latest endeavor from Jill and Troy Manthey, who also run several other entertainment-on-the-water concepts, including Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi and the Bay Rocket.

Designed with European river boats in mind, the 130-foot-long vessel boasts a sleek, white silhouette with less than 11 inches of vertical clearance — meaning it can comfortably drift beneath many of Tampa’s low-lying bridges. But this ship’s real appeal lies in the coupling of an elevated culinary program, contemporary aesthetic and craft cocktails.

A trip aboard Craft includes a two-hour cruise up and down the Hillsborough River and a three-course prix-fixe meal. To start, there are lunch, brunch and dinner trips on deck, but a happy hour option may soon be in the works.

Running any kind of marine operation comes with steep operating costs — including fuel, dock rental fees and staffing — and the experience here is priced accordingly. But it still comes with a good deal of sticker shock. For two people on a Friday evening, we paid $392.59 for the boat ride and the three-course dinner — not including gratuity or drinks.

Dig in to Tampa Bay’s food and drink scenes

Subscribe to our free Taste newsletter

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

I love a fancy boat ride as much as the next person, but the pricing gave me pause.

Would the experience be worth it?

Things were a lot smoother once we got on board.

We entered through the front of the boat, or bow, and were shown to our seats inside a narrow dining room, flanked by windows overlooking the water. Wood paneling combined with slight nautical touches lent the space a warm, industrial chic vibe.

Servers clad in white collared shirts and gray aprons whisked back and forth between the tables, balancing martini coupes and taking orders. In an attempt to let the crew develop their sea legs, the boat wasn’t fully booked that evening, but the dining room still felt abuzz with excitement and curiosity.

Clutching our champagne, we glided through Sparkman Channel at dusk, glitzy Harbour Island homes glowing in the evening light as a Maggie Rogers track played softly in the background. We let out a collective exhale as the chaos of the day faded away.

Over the course of the roughly two-hour cruise, the boat steered up the Hillsborough River, passing Riverwalk landmarks including the Tampa Convention Center, Armature Works and Ricks on the River, before turning around and heading back.

Guests were encouraged to explore the boat. The Bow and Stern bar, beautifully designed and fashioned out of a vintage 1914 cruiser, provided additional seating in the rear for those looking for more of an al fresco experience.

Throughout the evening, the crew moved back and forth between the dining room, the bar and the kitchen, sometimes stepping out on the deck to alert passengers when their meals had been delivered. Guests roamed the boat taking photographs, while patrons inside chatted up their neighbors, much of the voyage illuminated by the lights of downtown Tampa.

Craft’s strongest selling point is its culinary program, and the menu here is a far cry from the goblets of white wine and dry chicken associated with most dinner cruises.

Designed by chef Allison Beasman (formerly of Edison: Food + Drink Lab), the list of contemporary New American dishes runs the gamut from a black grouper served with Little Neck clams and Pernod cream to a Wagyu coulotte with kabocha caramel and a Korean barbecue octopus. As part of the prix-fixe deal, guests are able to pick an appetizer, entree and dessert from a menu of roughly 13 different dishes.

Part of what makes the vessel stand out is the addition of an open kitchen with gas stoves, and the concept’s design allows guests to get a peak of the action if they’re on their way to the bathroom or the bar.

When it came time to order dinner, our server patiently guided us through the menu, pointing out the additional dishes we could choose if we wished to add a little something extra onto our pre-paid meal. We opted for the olive oil-marinated sheep and goat’s milk cheese ($18), which was just as tasty as our server touted. It arrived in a rich red pepper-packed pisto, drizzled with a healthy glug of olive oil and served with crusty bread for dipping.

Dishes are made to order and don’t necessarily arrive at the same time as other passengers’ meals. Our appetizers showed up roughly 45 minutes into the trip, a delightful baby kale salad lightly dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette that was toothsome with chicory and shaved carrots and plumped up with fried baby potatoes and a healthy shaving of ricotta salata. Also good was the hearty tomato bisque with roasted bone marrow and blackened cipollini onions.

For our entrees, a seared duck breast arrived fanned out over silky whipped potatoes and a creamy goat cheese fondue, framed by Brussels sprouts and fat wedges of roasted golden beets. Though the duck was cooked a little past the requested temperature, it was still delicious. A plate of sweet and sour braised short ribs packed powerhouse flavors that paired beautifully together, all served over a sweet and sticky coconut rice sidling bok choy and juicy tangerine segments.

For dessert, we paired a perfect few scoops of pistachio ice cream with a chocolate espresso dacquoise, an intensely rich and sweet layer cake featuring a tart blackberry curd and creamy dark chocolate ganache.

The fine print

The water was calm that night and the entire service appeared well-rehearsed — absent of any major hiccups and even graceful at moments. As far as I could tell, there were no sea sick passengers or man-overboard scenarios, which felt like some kind of success, though I did wonder what type of balance or physical dexterity would be required to maneuver trays of wobbling martini glasses over stormier seas.

Though tiered pricing exists for Craft — for different seats, times of day or days of the week — there’s no overlooking that a trip aboard the vessel isn’t cheap.

With neither drinks nor gratuity included in the booking price, if you’re looking to enjoy the evening with a couple of libations, it’s going to cost you. The add-ons can feel excessive, from a $50 king crab leg tray to the pre-boarding photograph crew members try to sell you at the end of the night. A suggested gratuity is presented on your bill, based on the total sales tallied for the table that evening, including the cost of the original reservation.

Some changes are bound to be expected as the company assesses guest interest and feedback. Even after the first week, it appears some prices have been slightly adjusted. Dinner for two people seated in the dining room with window seats now comes to $369.89 after taxes and marine fees, while weekend brunches for the same seats start at $89.95 per person.

It’s hard to imagine making dining here a regular occurrence, but for a special occasion, an evening aboard Craft can be a real delight.

Next time, though, I’ll remember to leave myself plenty of time to get there.

Helen Freund is the food and dining critic, reporting on and reviewing restaurants throughout Tampa Bay. Reach her at [email protected].

MORE FOR YOU

• Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• What to do in Moscow City, if you’re not mega-rich
• Moscow after dusk: 10 places to drink, dance, and groove
• 5 things you must do in Moscow in 2018 between football matches (or without them)
• Sandwiched between Moscow and St. Petersburg: How to spend a perfect weekend in Tver 
• 24 or 48 hours in Moscow: Where to go and what to do in 2019

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Cruise ship bursts into flames after it’s ‘struck by lightning’

Share this with

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

A cruise ship in the Caribbean caught fire after witnesses reported it was struck by lightning during a storm .

Black plumes of smoke and fire could be seen billowing from the ship’s exhaust funnel in a video of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship near The Bahamas on Saturday.

It was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island when the fire broke out as it was heading to Freeport.

Heath Barnes was relaxing reading his book between bouts of rain when suddenly he ‘heard the loudest thunder and lightning ever’.

He went back inside the cabin and learnt the ship was on fire from his nephew and their two friends.

During the video, someone can be heard saying: ‘Holy crap, why is our tail on fire? That’s not good y’all.

‘Omg this is pretty wild.’

The blaze broke out at 3.15pm local time, according to Carnival Cruise Line.

Heath said: ‘I thought they were giving me a hard time, but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the flames and smoke were pouring out of the tail.

‘This was the most interesting one. It’s not their fault, it’s Mother Nature.’

In the video, an announcer in the cruise ship can be heard saying: ‘You might have noticed that we turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximise the efforts to put out the flames.

‘Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike and that is being investigated but cannot yet be confirmed.

‘This situation has not impacted any operational system on the ship and we will continue to update you as we know more.’

There were no reported injuries to guests on the ship but two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

As a result of the fire the exhaust funnel fell onto the deck but passengers were able to attend dinner as planned in the evening.

Carnival confirmed it had completed an assessment and found the damage was worse than initially thought.

Other trips scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, have now been cancelled to allow ‘immediate repair to stabilise the funnel’.

Carnival said in a statement: ‘The funnel has been stabilised for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs.’

Full refunds for customers on cancelled cruises have been issued.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

Sign Up for News Updates

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more.

Privacy Policy

Get us in your feed

MILDURA PADDLE STEAMERS

Leave the road, take the River!

(03) 5023 2200

ABOUT MILDURA PADDLE STEAMERS

Mildura Paddle Steamers was established in 1955 by Captain Alby Pointon and his wife Freda, when he purchased a small launch in Mildura, called the “Donald Duck”. In 1957 Alby purchased an old Paddle Steamer wreck the “Mayflower” and rebuilt her to carry passengers. The Mayflower became too small and after searching along the river, he purchased the Paddle Steamer Melbourne also as a wreck, in 1965. He then restored her to the magnificent Paddle Steamer she is today. The Rothbury was then purchased in 1968 and underwent a lengthy restoration by Captain Pointon, a total of 8 years.

During the 1970’s the Coonawarra was acquired along with other partners, and was operated at Murray Bridge in S.A. after extensive refurbishing. Eventually Alby brought the Coonawarra also, back to Mildura in 1981, but she was later sold due to health reasons. In 1999, Captain Alby Pointon and Freda bought their final boat to Mildura, the Paddle Boat Mundoo. She is the designated function vessel that caters for Weddings, Functions and Conferences.

With his unique foresight Captain Alby Pointon has rebuilt three Paddle Steamers and brought others to Mildura. The Pointon family have operated river cruises in Mildura for over 64 years, with the Management being handed on to their children and grandchildren. It is our pleasure to show you this section of the Murray River at Mildura, on board the Paddle Steamer Melbourne, Paddle Vessel Rothbury or the Paddle Boat Mundoo. 

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse live updates: Ship hits major Baltimore bridge with construction crew on it

What we know.

• A major bridge in Baltimore partially collapsed overnight after it was hit by a cargo ship, authorities said. A representative from Brawner Builders Inc. told NBC News that the company had a construction crew on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the crew was fixing potholes.
• A search was underway this morning for at least six people who were feared to have been sent plunging into the river, the city's fire chief said, while two people were rescued. Sonar was used to detect vehicles submerged in the water, he added. Authorities believe the eight people were all part of the construction crew.
• The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River, was hit by the 948-foot Dali container ship, the U.S. Coast Guard told NBC News.
• Between the mayday call and the collapse of the Key Bridge, officials were able to stop the flow of traffic from continuing onto the collapsed bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, adding that the call "saved lives."
• Dramatic video shows the moment the bridge appears to snap and then tumble into the river after the vessel collides with one of its supporting structures.

‘Could never imagine:’ Baltimore resident describes moment he heard bridge collapse

BALTIMORE — A resident of suburban Baltimore who can see the Francis Scott Key Bridge from his backyard said he woke up in the middle of the night to his home shaking.

"I could have never, never imagined that it was the Key Bridge that had just collapsed," the resident, Georgio Comninos, said. "I thought it was perhaps like a really low flying, maybe a military jet, perhaps a small earthquake however unlikely that is in in Baltimore."

Comninos questioned why the bridge collapsed so quickly after its collision with a cargo ship.

"I mean, was this thing held up with toothpicks?" he asked. "What’s the deal?

Maersk pauses shipping through Baltimore port

Kyla Guilfoil

Maersk, a shipping company with vessels in the Baltimore port, released a new customer advisory which pauses shipping through the Helen Delich Bentley port of Baltimore for the time being.

The company said it would be "omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area."

"We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation," Maersk's advisory said.

NTSB to hold press conference on bridge collapse

Marlene Lenthang

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a press conference at noon ET on the investigation into the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Size of ship negated any measures meant to deflect ships, Johns Hopkins professor says

Jason Abbruzzese

The ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge was big enough that any safety measures meant to try to limit the impact of a collision would have been rendered ineffective, according to Benjamin Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at the nearby Johns Hopkins University.

He stressed that any failure in this situation is centered on the broader issue of maritime safety and infrastructure development.

He said that container ships like the Dali are “a different animal” when it comes to dealing with safety and collisions. "I’m afraid that this is not something that any bridge would be designed to withstand," he said. "We need to make sure this collision does not happen."

"Where’s lessons to be learned here about about how we manage our infrastructure that we need to learn quickly," he added.

Buttigieg to travel to Baltimore

Jay Blackman

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse today to receive updates at the invitation of Moore.

Workers on the bridge fixing potholes at time of collapse, transportation secretary says

Yuliya Talmazan

There were workers on the Key Bridge fixing potholes at the time of the collapse, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told reporters in a briefing this morning.

Rescue teams continue looking for six people after two were rescued overnight, he said.

Royal Caribbean says its searching for alternatives to Port of Baltimore

Matt Lavietes

Royal Caribbean said it is searching for alternative ports for its cruise ships scheduled to go in and out of the Port of Baltimore, the 29th largest cruise port in the U.S.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted," a spokesperson for the cruise line said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for  Vision of the Seas’  ongoing and upcoming sailings."

"Any updates will be communicated to our guests and travel partners once our plans are finalized," the spokesperson added.

Dali crew members notified authorities they lost power, governor says

Moore told reporters this morning that crew members of the Dali container ship that collided with the Key Bridge this morning had notified authorities that they had a power issue.

Biden expected to address bridge collapse today

Monica Alba

President Joe Biden is expected to address the Baltimore bridge collapse before he departs for North Carolina today, a White House official confirmed to NBC News.

Reconstruction of the bridge will be a 'long-term build,' governor says

Moore said reconstructing the collapsed Key Bridge will be a "long-term build."

"It's going to be a build that's going to require every facet and every aspect of our society. It is something that I can tell you we are going to get this done," he said, adding that he can't comment on the time and money it would take as the focus for now remains on saving lives.

Baltimore county executive addresses collapse

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski called the collapse "devastating" and said his "first and most important priority" is to search for and rescue survivors.

"In the days and weeks ahead there will be many questions about the impact of this incident on our families, regional traffic and commerce," he said in a statement released on X. "We will work closely with state and federal partners to make sure we are doing all we can to support everyone impacted."

Olszewski also thanked first responders and called on the Baltimore community to use the tragedy as an opportunity to come together.

Cruise Lines International Association monitoring bridge collapse

The Cruise Lines International Association, the largest cruise industry trade association, said it is “closely following” the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Key Bridge that occurred last night and extend our support and heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” a statement said. “We join everyone in extending our thanks and appreciation to the first responders and emergency workers in Baltimore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other professionals who are working with one goal in mind — to save lives.”

The Port of Baltimore is the 29th largest cruise port in the U.S. 

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” the association said.

Maryland governor: 'We are Baltimore strong'

Moore appeared to try to motivate and reassure Marylanders shortly after addressing reporters for the first time since the collapse.

"In the face of danger, we hold out. In the face of heartbreak, we come together, and we come back stronger," Moore wrote on X. "That is what we’ve always done. That’s what we will continue to do."

The governor — who was elected in 2022 — also commended first responders and commended what he described as quick coordination among local, state and federal government agencies.

"Our administration is working closely with leaders at all levels of government and society to respond to this crisis," Moore wrote. "Not just by addressing the immediate aftermath, but also by building a state that is more resilient and more safe."

Vehicles were stopped from getting onto the bridge after collapse, saving lives, Maryland governor says

Between the mayday call and the collapse of the Key Bridge, officials were able to stop the flow of traffic from continuing onto the collapsed bridge, Moore told reporters this morning.

He warned that the investigation is still ongoing and they don't have full details, but that the response may have prevented more casualties. Six people were unaccounted for and two had been rescued, according to authorities.

"Many of the vehicles were stopped before they got onto the bridge, which saved lives," Moore said.

Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing: Live Updates

BALTIMORE − A massive search effort was underway Tuesday for six construction workers who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when it was struck by a large cargo vessel and collapsed into the Patapsco River, shutting down a critical artery for East Coast shipping, authorities said.

Around 1:30 a.m. a vessel leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds. Officials said the crew warned of a power issue and sent out a "mayday" before the collision. Footage of the incident shows the cargo ship smash into one of the columns before the bridge snapped, hit the water and partially fell on the ship, where a burst of flames and smoke could be seen rising into the night sky.

Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of impact and were plunged into the Patapsco River, which was measured Tuesday at temperatures cold enough to cause hypothermia. There were also multiple contractors on the bridge who were repairing potholes, said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. So far two people have been rescued. One was unharmed and the other remains in "very serious condition," he said.

The crew that was on the ship when it collided with the bridge remained on the vessel, which needed to be assessed for damage before rescuers could board it, said James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department. The vessel was carrying cargo for the major shipping company Maersk and was headed for Sri Lanka.

A senior U.S. official told USA TODAY that the ship apparently lost power a few minutes before striking the bridge. Authorities have not stated an official cause for the crash but Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference the crew notified authorities “of a power issue" as it was traveling about 9 miles per hour. He said the crash seems to be an "accident" and added that the bridge was "up to code."

Moore said once the mayday was issued, officials on site stopped cars from coming over the Francis Scott Key Bridge. "These people are heroes," he said, "they saved lives last night."

'It's devastating to the city'

Greg Trenchard, 43, awoke Tuesday to a flurry of text messages and missed calls from his out of state relatives checking in on him after hearing about the Key Bridge collapse.“I’ve driven over it 100 times and now to see that it’s gone is pretty crazy,” he said Tuesday.Trenchard, an auditor, said he then tried to make his way to Fort Armistead Park, where he’d come many times before to take photos of the bridge at sunrise and sunset. But the normally quick drive took nearly 40 minutes due to the traffic detours, and a police roadblock next to Royal Farms, a convenience store, about a mile and half from the park stopped him from getting any closer to the scene“It’s a blow,” he said of the collapse. “It’s devastating to the city, it’s devastating to port traffic and everything they’re trying to do to revitalize the shipping industry in Maryland and keep that going.”

– N'dea Yancey-Bragg

Air, land and water search underway

Multiple local, state and federal agencies are coordinating the massive search, which spans a vast section of the river – both above and below the surface of the water – and the ship itself, Wallace said. Divers, helicopters and sonar technology were being used and had located several vehicles submerged in the river, which is about 50-feet-deep where the bridge collapsed.

"This water is current influenced, so right now we think the tide is coming back in," he said.

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency and said he is working with an interagency team to "quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration."

"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, the White House said, adding that he will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day.

Expert says river current makes search more difficult

Jim Bellingham, the executive director for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy and expert in marine robotics lives in nearby Fells Point and talked to USA TODAY about some of the challenges faced by rescuers.

“Nothing is staying put in the ocean,” he said. “Everything is moving” in the Patapsco River, a tidal estuary, which presents just one difficulty for rescue efforts. Rescuers would have to determine the speed and direction of the current to figure out where to search – toward Baltimore Harbor, or out toward the Chesapeake Bay.

Bellingham said it’s likely any workers who may have been on the bridge would have been wearing reflective vests and even flotation devices that would improve visibility in the dark river. They might also have flares, and are more easily spotted by rescue helicopters.

Rescuers are using sonar, lights, cameras and robotic machinery, as well as human divers, but Bellingham said divers would face their own risks, as the wreckage might not be stable.

The longer the search goes on, the less likely rescuers are to find survivors, given the temperature of the water, and the likelihood of people being trapped with little to no air. But Baltimore, with many Navy and Coast Guard facilities and military contractors nearby, might be as well prepared to deal with the disaster as any place.

“Their job is to rescue people,” Bellingham noted. “They want to believe they can do that, and there’s a tendency not to want to give up.”

– Phaedra Trethan

Cargo ship was headed for Sri Lanka

The container vessel was chartered by the major shipping company Maersk and was carrying its cargo, according to a statement from the company. When it crashed into the bridge, no Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel, which is operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group and owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Pte.

The Dali was slated to arrive later this week in Sri Lanka, according to MarineTraffic, a global ship tracking service.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," Maersk said in a statement. "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali collided with one of the pillars of the bridge and that all its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Erin Palmer said at a news conference Tuesday that the agencies remains focused on search-and-rescue. She did not comment on the crew of the ship or provide additional details about the collision.

All vessel traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice, but the port is still open for truck transports, Wiedefeld said. Traffic, meanwhile, is being diverted from the area around the Key Bridge.

Baltimore port closed to ships 'until further notice'

Shortly after the bridge collapse, the Port of Baltimore suspended vessel traffic “until further notice,” according to its website.

“This does not mean the Port of Baltimore is shut down. We are still processing trucks inside of our terminals,” the statement said.

But Bloomberg reported that the port “looks to be out of commission indefinitely.”

At least 40 ships are now more or less trapped inside the port, according to Reuters. At least 30 other ships planned to arrive there.

“They will likely have to reroute shipping to other ports on the East Coast,” said Kevin Linderman, a professor and supply chain expert at Pennsylvania State University. “However, this will put additional demand on these ports, and shippers may not be able to access US markets” as efficiently, he said.

“One critical question is, can the other ports handle the products that were destined to Baltimore?”

– Daniel de Visé

Baltimore bridge collapse impacts on cruises

Baltimore is a destination for several major cruise lines. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival have April sailings that could be impacted by the bridge collapse, according to their websites. 

A spokesperson for Carnival told USA TODAY it was premature to comment on impacts to future sailings.

American Cruise Lines has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website. A spokesperson for the cruise line told USA TODAY their schedules remain unaffected but will make adjustments if needed to future cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t appear to have any Baltimore sailings until September.

– Eve Chen and Nathan Diller

Will the port shutdown affect consumer goods, prices?

Several big firms have distribution warehouses near the port, including Amazon and FedEx, one analyst noted in a tweet on X.  

Even so, some analysts predict only a minimal impact on the movement of goods up and down the East Coast from the bridge collapse.

Baltimore’s port holds just 4% of all East Coast trade volume, according to S&P Global. New York’s port, by contrast, does 38% of that business.

Yet, the port offers the deepest harbor in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, is closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port, and is within an overnight drive of one-third of the US population, according to the port website .

The port boasts five public and 12 private terminals. In 2023, it ranked first in the nation in handling automobiles and light trucks. 

“For the American consumer, the biggest impact will be felt in terms of imported motor vehicles,” said Jason Miller, a business professor at Michigan State University. If sales remain strong, he said, “we could see inventories drop on the lots of dealers that sell imported vehicles until alternative arrangements can be made. This could increase motor vehicle prices for some makes and models.”

Alternate routes around collapsed Baltimore bridge

Maryland Transportation Authority is suggesting drivers take Interstate 95 or Interstate 895 as alternatives to the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge along Interstate 695.

“I-695 Outer Loop closed at MD 10 (exit 2) and Inner Loop closed at MD 157/Peninsula Exp (exit 43),” MDTA said in a post on X.

Drivers could take several other, longer routes around Baltimore, but I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) and I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) are the most direct alternatives across the water.

There are few exceptions.

MDTA notes, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13-feet and 6-inches high or 8-feet wide may not use the 1-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14-feet and 6-inches high or 11-feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel.

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

How cold is the Patapsco River?

The Patapsco River is about 50 feet deep where the ship hit the bridge, officials said during a press conference Tuesday morning. Part of the 39-mile river helps form the Baltimore Harbor, just northwest of the bridge collapse, and it flows out to the Chesapeake Bay.

A buoy in the Patapsco River indicated the water temperature Tuesday morning was currently about 47 degrees, while the air is around 41 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Whereas hypothermia is thought to occur at very cold temperatures, it can occur in waters below 70 degrees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

-Eduardo Cuevas

Key Bridge collapse draws comparisons to Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse

In 1980, a Florida bridge also collapsed after a ship collided with it, leading to the deaths of 35 motorists and bus passengers.

A 1,200-foot chunk of the Sunshine Skyway bridge – which connects St. Petersburg and Bradenton – collapsed after the massive Summit Venture freighter slammed into one of its central support piers.

When the section of the bridge fell into Tampa Bay, it took a truck, seven cars and a Greyhound bus with it.

The Herald-Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported the crash happened during an intense thunderstorm , with winds reaching 80 mph and heavy rain. At the time, visibility was near-zero, according to local historians who made a documentary film about the collapse.

After the collapse, the freighter remained stuck beneath the bridge, with part of the roadway on top of its bow. Photos from the time also show how one motorist was able to skip his car to a stop just inches away from where the bridge fell into the water.

-Claire Thornton

How vital is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the author of the "Star Spangled Banner," is a 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge that crosses over the Patapsco River, according to the MDTA. It opened in 1977.

The port’s private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any U.S. port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.

The span is the outermost of three major Patapsco River crossings at Baltimore Harbor, according to the American Civil Engineering Society. The steel-arched bridge, with a total length of 8,636 feet, was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the world when it was built and remains the second longest in the United States and third in the world, according to the society .

Contributing: Reuters; Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Amsterdam to Basel
• Basel to Amsterdam

Christmas on the Rhine

• From $2,799
• 9 Guided Tours
• 4 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Amsterdam to Basel Basel to Amsterdam

Christmas on the Rhine Map

‘Tis the season to be joyful

Immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you journey through storybook villages. Sample tasty yuletide treats and regional delicacies as you browse colorful stalls for handcrafted ornaments and unique gifts. Admire the twinkling lights of Cologne and revel in the merry atmosphere of the Rhine Valley, as storefront displays, wine cellars and markets embrace the holiday season. This 8-day voyage is a joyful celebration of festive cheer.

SPRING SALE

Viking Inclusive Value

All you need included, with no surprises or hidden fees

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Belgium at Christmas

From $999 | 3 Nights

Pre: Amsterdam

From $699 | 2 Nights

Pre: Amsterdam Premium

From $1,199 | 2 Nights

Post: Basel at Christmas

From $599 | 2 Nights

Post: Lucerne at Christmas

From $899 | 2 Nights

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises