Excitement is building for the sailing dates for the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, the PS Waverley, that will be cruising from Plymouth and the South West this Summer.
Waverley’s General Manager, Paul Semple, said: “The South West port calls are not fully confirmed yet, with dates likely in late March, or just after Easter when we’ll launch our South West sailings,” he said.
The ocean-going paddle steamer last visited Plymouth in October 2023, and was spotted on our 24-hour live webcam steaming across the Sound on its way into Commercial Wharf on the Barbican for a trial berth and taking on fuel.
The 240ft-long Waverley was launched in 1947, and for years sailed between the Firth of Clyde and Loch Long in Scotland, as a regular service.
The iconic vessel is owned by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society Charity since 1974, and can hold about 750 people, and in 2003 was listed a UK National Historic Ship, and ‘vessel of pre-eminent national importance’.
Meanwhile, the Waverley had a great season sailing the Bristol Channel in 2023, and announced its sailing times for the 2024 Summer Schedule.
Waverley will give locals and visitors the chance to step aboard for fun trips on the famous steamship from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 23.
The steamer will offer lots of different cruises from Clevedon, Portishead, Weston, Minehead and Ilfracombe.
The first sailing on the Bristol Channel this year will see Waverley steam up the river Torridge as she makes a big return to Bideford and her first visit to the town since the 1980s.
Mr Semple, added: “Over 2,500 tickets have been sold so far, since we opened the bookings for the Bristol Channel.”
“To celebrate our trips on the Bristol Channel, there are some great deals to grab, and kids can sail for just £1 and a super ‘Seniors Bring a Friend FREE’ offer on certain cruises, and NHS staff get a nice 15% off if they book early,” he said.
Anyone looking to book or for more information here: https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/
