On My Way To The Sun - Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise

By Cruising With Honey - 17:50

Chasing the Sun

406 days ago I stood on an incomplete ship in a shipyard.
Cables protruded from walls and floors, the hum of saws filled the air and workmen’s brows were furrowed in concentration as they hammered and drilled, determined to finish the ship in time.

I tried to envision how this stellar floating marvel will look once complete, but I couldn’t quite imagine how she will come together.
Tomorrow, I’ll be stepping foot aboard the Sun Princess, and finally, the wait will be over.

What to expect on the Sun Princess

If you’re familiar with Princess Cruises, you will know the name Sun Princess and a little bit of the history of the vessel. To be clear, this new Sun - the third Sun to be precise to shares the iconic legacy.
The first MS Sun Princess launched in 1974 and sailed until 1988 and had the first 24-hour cafe for the cruiseline. The Sun Princess also featured in several episodes of the Love Boat and in the original 1976 movie.

The second Sun Princess was launched in 1995 and was in operation until 2020. One of the biggest claims to fame for Australia is that she was the largest ship to ever cross underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge when she entered Sydney Harbour for the first time in October 2007.

Sun Princess 3.0 heralds the first in the Sphere Class for Princess Cruises and will accommodate 4000 guests. A second Sphere Class ship, Star Princess is set to launch in July 2025.

Large and bright, but not a floating amusement park

I’ve been aboard several large new ships, and the fear before sailing on these new vessels is that the number of passengers will be too overwhelming and the spaces crowded. The promise with Sun Princess is that despite her large size and 4300 guest capacity, that she will not feel overcrowded. Let’s see tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are some figures:

Guest Rooms: 2,150
Number of decks: 21
Length: 345m
Gross Tonnage: 175,500 GT
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And now it’s time to fly

Every journey begins with a single step – but in my case, this one begins with two plane rides, crossing oceans and datelines to get from Sydney to Rome. While this 30-hour commute seems overwhelming, it always amazes me that a) Australia is SO far from the rest of the world and b) modern air travel ferries people every day from any point in the world to embark on an adventure. It truly is a marvel.

I think I can hear last calls for my flight, see you all in the Eternal City.

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Murray River Paddlesteamers

Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay!

By Cruising With Honey - 21:52

Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay

Dreaming of a country escape where delightful charm meets contemporary cuisine? Somewhere you can escape the city buzz and be immersed in the serenity of nature?

I’ve found just the place that will rejuvenate your soul and restore your faith in humankind.

WATCH MY DAY IN ECHUCA MOAMA HERE

Welcome to Echuca Moama, the twin towns just north of Melbourne, Victoria and lying right on the Murray River.

At first glance, this region is similar to so many country towns in Australia, but scratch the surface and you’ll uncover a gem you’ll want to visit again and again.

My 3-day Weekend Guide to Echuca Moama

Three days might not sound long enough to see all Echuca Moama has to offer, but you’d be surprised how much you can actually fit in! Here’s my guide to some of the wonderful experiences you too can discover.

Step back in time

Echuca Moama has a fascinating history peppered with resilience, enterprise and a spirit of innovation. Did you know Echuca was founded by an ex-convict and it grew into Australia’s largest inland port?

Start your day walking down the Murray Esplanade. Your first stop should be at the Information Centre where friendly staff will guide you on all the places you can visit. Take your time to have a chat and take some brochures.

As you make your way down the strip, wander into the interesting shopfronts. I particularly loved the Whistlestop and meeting the talented Glenda Cornell whose stunning paintings captivated me.

A few steps away, the Echuca Blacksmiths were busy transforming hot metal into gorgeous roses, a unique and almost lost artform.

The bustling Discovery Centre is the perfect place to get an insight into what life was like in the 1800s. Make your way out the back and check out working steam engines of the paddlesteamers that still cruise daily from the wharf.

Look out for the horse drawn carriages and jump aboard for a fun tour around the port and High Street.

Tantalise The Tastebuds

From chic cafes to rustic bakeries, old fashioned ice cream shops and upscale restaurants, you won’t go hungry in Echuca.

I love a good Aussie pie and Beechworth Bakery has a huge selection of savouries and sweets to fill your tum. Honey tip: Try the Country Chicken pie that has the flakiest pastry and is jam-packed with flavour. The coffee was very good as well.

For the sweet tooths, do not pass the Echuca Chocolate Company without sampling their yummy chocolates and taking home a box of their handmade yummies. Honey tip: Sample their liqueurs – decadent and delicious.

Lunch and breakfast options are plentiful, including Fuzion Café where breakfast is served all day. I wish I had more time to try Opa a Greek restaurant on High St that boasts authentic dishes ( next time for sure).

If you love Honey (not me, but that sweet bee nectar) pay the lovely Leanne and Brad from My Dad’s Honey on the wharf. They serve an extensice café menu and offer an array of honey products. Honey tip: Grab a bag of the lozenges, they’re perfect for sore, dry throats.

If you’re looking for something a little different for dinner, The Mill is a great place to try if you want to sample dishes from several cuisines. Touted as a contemporary bar and restaurant, the ambience in The Mill is sublime and full of historical touches.

Add friendly staff and interesting plates and your guaranteed a lovely evening. From Indian Sev Puri to Thai Fish Cakes, Japanese Pancakes and Beef Rendang, the menu is bursting with diverse flavours. Honey tip: order several small and large plates and share family style. The Prawn Spring Rolls are a standout.

What to do

A visit to Echuca is not complete without a cruise in the famous paddlesteamers. I was fortunate to have a 3-night adventure with Murray River Paddle Steamers on the charming Emmylou.

READ MY BLOGS BELOW

DAY 1 ON BOARD EMMYLOU

Day 2 ON BOARD EMMYLOU

DAY 3 ONBOARD EMMYLOU

BOOK YOUR MURRAY RIVER PADDLESTEAMER CRUISE HERE

USE THE HONEY DISCOUNT CODES BELOW

For the PS EMMYLOU

Save 10% on all departures from June 1st 2024 to May 2025

PLUS $100 bar credit

Promo Code : HoneyEmmy

PS AUSTRALIAN STAR

Save 15% on all departures from June 2025 to December 2026.

PLUS $100 Bar credit

Promo Code : HoneyStar

If you haven’t got time for a multi-day cruise, Murray River Paddle Steamers offers daily 1-hour sightseeing tours and lunch and dinner experiences aboard their other paddleboats.

Honey tip: Take the whole family, especially the kids on a sightseeing tour. They’ll be fascinated by the steam engine and paddle wheel.

The Moama Bowling Club is large, modern club with an impressive bowling green. Try your hand at barefoot bowls! There are several eateries inside, including The Bistro.

If wineries are your tipple, head out Cape Horn. This gorgeous property has the most stunning Murray River backdrop and offers a great accommodation.

Where to Stay

There are so many hotels and motels to stay in Echuca ranging from boutique to larger properties. Honey tip: book early if you’re planning on visiting during the school holidays or long weekend.

The property has a swimming pool and breakfast between 7 am – 9am for an additional fee. The 4-star hotel is in a handy location close to the main shops and train station.

I was hosted at the Mercure in a Deluxe King Room, which features a King bed, sofa, modern bathroom with a large bath tub.

Breathe in the country air

While I’ve only scratched the surface, what I did uncover was that the beauty of Echuca Moama really lies in the heart of the locals. Living in Sydney, people just don’t have the time for a friendly chat, a yarn to share or just a simple smile and g’day. You’ll find this all in Echuca Moama.

So take a break from the big smoke, slow down and breathe in the country air, sit by the Murray River and look up at the mighty gum trees. Revel in the natural beauty of Australia and enjoy our backyard.

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Murray River Paddlesteamers

The Tales of Perricoota and Torrumbarry Weir - Day 3 Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 20:49

Day 3 aboard Emmylou Murray River Paddlesteamers

The Tale of Perricoota Station

So much of Australia’s colonial history is steeped in lore and the stories of early settlers working the inhospitable land with hard yakka and a determined entrepreneurial spirit.

WATCH THE REEL HERE

Perricoota Station, on the Moama side of the Murray, has a tale as deep as the river. A story of James Maiden who in 1843 settled the land and had the ingenious idea to set up a punt to travel between Moama and Echuca – charging people for the privilege. There's a dark side as well, but I'll leave that for you, the reader, to explore.

These days, the property has evolved, but the main homestead still stands. The impressive mansion has 10 bedrooms and four bathrooms, and now the private residence of the new owners.

Perricoota Station also features the original packing shed (renovated into a restaurant/reception room) and stables that are now used as a wedding chapel.

Skipper Richard took us on a tour of the property and shared the fascinating history as we walked past the grand residence, school house and took a peek inside the renovated stables. The property is very well taken care and the variety of flora – including pepper trees – was charming. It’s no wonder Perricoota is a popular wedding location.

A 3-hour Cruise to Torrumbarry Weir

As we left Perricoota it really felt like we were on the home stretch, and I yearned for the time to slow down. Was there really only one night left?

Skipper had promised that I’d have the chance to drive Emmylou, and true to his word, as we made our way towards the final destination, I had

the opportunity to get behind the big wheel and manoeuvre the beautiful old paddlesteamer. How many people can say that?! What a fun experience. And, as you can guess, I most definitely pulled the whistle.

WATCH THE REEL HERE

After three hours, we arrived at our final stop of Torrumbarry Weir and guests were taken on a tour of the weir and the lock system.

A Final Emmylou Feast

For our final dinner, Host Julie pulled out the fancy linen and set up one long table for the guests to dine all together in the saloon. It was a fitting setting for our last night aboard Emmylou.

As the sun set and the shooting stars cut a path across the night sky, I counted my many blessings.

This experience aboard Emmylou opened my eyes to life on the Murray River and the deep history of the area. It was a privilege to travel on a paddle steamer, something I’d never thought about before, but now feel fortunate to have been a passenger on this type of vessel.

Over the three days, I gained so many treasured memories and for many years to come, I'll reminisce and smile wistfully about my time aboard PS Emmylou.

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Murray River Paddlesteamers

Exploring the Murray River and Beyond - Day 2 Murray River Paddlesteamers

By Cruising With Honey - 18:28

Day 2 - PS Emmylou Murray River Paddlesteamers - Echuca

Breaking fast

I’m not a huge breakfast person, but whenever I’m on a cruise, I always make time for a sit down meal and take my time to get the day started in an unhurried manner.

And that’s exactly how Day 2 aboard Emmylou kicked off.

Before retiring the night before, the super lovely Host Julie was happy to take my order at night or I could decide in the morning. I knew I wouldn't know what I felt like until the next day, so I opted for the latter.

On getting up and heading to the Saloon (the main dining area) I filled out my little order slip, but as always, my eyes eat more than my stomach.

Ham and Cheese croissant? Check. Tomato, spinach, bacon? Check, check, check. Hash brown? CHECKITY- CHECK! It was all very tempting. While chef was cooking up my order, Julie handed me a latte. Bliss! The service, quality of food and the friendliness was superb.

WATCH DAY 2 VIDEO

I’d be remiss not to mention, that less than 24 hours into my 3-day cruise, the stand out is the crew. These hard-working men and women are such an asset to the company, and their knowledge, attentiveness and friendliness ensures all passengers are looked after.

Off to see the sights and taste the delights of of Echuca

Having moored overnight in Layfield Lane, a coach was waiting on the property to take guests out for a day of excursions. Warren or Wazza as he is affectionately know is the Great All Rounder and not only was the entertainer last night, but also coach driver AND one of the Skippers for Murray River Paddlesteamers.

Wazza drove the coach back to Echuca to board another paddle steamer in the fleet, the PS Canberra for a scenic cruise from Riverboat Dock.

The Canberra does multiple daily 1-hour cruises that are super popular with tourists and locals alike. Young and old were thoroughly entertained by the colourful commentary by Skipper Beth.

Now, here’s a little tip. Down at the port, before boarding the paddlesteamers and among all the stunning redwood gumtrees is the flood level tree. WOW!

It’s quite remarkable to see that while the Mighty Murray is the source of life and livelihood, it has and can have a devastating effect to the towns. It’s a reminder that while we think, as humans, we can try to control our surroundings, nature has the ultimate power and we need to work in harmony.

50,000 pieces and growing

]Next stop was The Great Aussie Beer Shed. A museum of sorts that houses more than 50,000 pieces of Aussie memorabilia. Run by the colourful and passionate local Neil Thomas, the Shed houses a collection of beer paraphernalia, WWI War keepsakes, cars, carriages and so much more. It was rather overwhelming but also very interesting.

It always fascinates me when I meet collectors and I try to understand what fuels their passion. Having had the pleasure to chat with Neil, his effort over last four decades to curate the Beer Shed stems from a combination of Aussie pride and the love for this father. It was quite touching, if I’m to be honest, and I really hope that on day his legacy will continue.

Tasting a drop at St Anne's

The final stop for the day was St Anne’s Winery.

A pretty spot where I could have quite happily sat on the grass with a platter of cheese and a glass of red wine for hours.

I didn’t have much time to sample all the wines as it was very busy – and again tourists had flooded Echuca for the Easter weekend – but as luck would have, I found out later that evening that there was a nice selection of St Anne’s wines on board Emmylou.

WATCH MORE OF DAY 2 VIDEO

River life for miles and miles

It was great to be back on board. Emmylou has a rustic charm that is so welcoming - and there was lunch waiting. I hadn’t sampled the meat from the campfire the day earlier ( I was fasting for Good Friday) and I sheepishly asked Chef Greg for a hot roll with the leftover pulled beef. Naturally he obliged and It. Was. So. Good!

For the next 5 hours we travelled down at a leisurely pace. I visited the Wheelhouse and Skipper Richard several times to soak in the ever-changing scenery from the best vantage point on the boat. I loved the casual nature of just sitting with Skipper having a yarn. All guests are welcome to visit the Wheelhouse ( as long as the door is open which is most of the time, except during docking).

As Day 2 came to a close, I realised just how much I really love river life. Cruising at this pace is so soothing to the soul. I also might have mentioned at least eleventy-hundred times just how much I love gum trees. Each tree is unique and has a spirit and an eons-old story. I do love Australia and know my privilege of being born in this wonderful country.

I only had one more day on the Mighty Murray and I was going to appreciate every single moment on this magical adventure.

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On My Way To The Sun - Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise

Chasing the Sun

What to expect on the Sun Princess

Large and bright, but not a floating amusement park

And now it’s time to fly

Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay!

Explore Echuca Moama - See, Eat and Stay