(News) Swiss Lake Paddle Steamer Timetables. Latest News, Fleet Lists, Archives, Pictures, Special Sailings, Features and loads more!

PS Simplon is planned to operate an evening Bavarian "Oktoberfest" cruise" from Geneva at 1900 on Saturday 19th October

3rd October 2019

PS Hohentwiel is planned to operate a morning Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1000 on Thursday 3rd October

29th September 2019

PS Stadt Rapperswil is planned to operate the final sailings 107-108 of 2019 from Zurich to Schmerikon in the Obsrsee on Sunday 29th September
As this sailing is no longer included in the "draft" ZSG timetable for 2020, this may well be the last visit by a paddle steamer on a normal timetabled sailing for a considerable time

23rd September 2019

Lake Brienz

Owing to a problem with one of the engines of mv Jungfrau and mv Interlaken already being in the dock, mv Brienz had to cover her roster and in consequence PS Lötschberg (which should have finished her season the previous Sunday) had to remain in service to cover the main roster commencing Monday 23rd September - she was spotted still in service on Thursday 26th September
Do you know how long this arrangement is likely to last ?

14th and 15th September 2019

PS La Suisse operated five short 45 minute" cruises from Ouchy Harbour on both Saturday 14th September and Sunday 15th September in connection with the CGN "Open Days" which this year includes the opportunity to see restoration work on PS Rhône in the covered dry dock

8th September 2019

PS Concordia made a second "repeat" sailing to Lecco (only her third visit this century) operating sailings 216- ~~217~~ -281-sp1-sp2-288-249 vice the regular motor vessel
- this time in windy conditions which caused suspension of some legs of the day's sailings between 1200 and 1440

2nd September 2019

PS Schiller remained in dock for further repairs on Monday 2nd September resulting in mv Schwyz having to cover her lunchtime sailings 17-26 to Flüelen for the second time in less than a month
Do you have any further information why she was unable to sail or if it was a repeat of the problem on Friday 9th August ?

19th August 2019

PS Simplon sustained damage to her paddle wheel floats after passing over a large floating tree on Sunday 18th August resulting in her being withdrawn from serviced on the Monday and subsdequently towed to Ouchy dock for repairs by mv Henry-Dunant
This meant the small mv Morges had to cover sailings 102-105 on the Monday and Tuesday 19th and 20th August, with mv Général-Guisan taking over for the following Wednesday and Thursday
Do you have any further information ?

16th August 2019

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 16th August

9th August 2019

PS Schiller remained in dock for repairs on Friday 9th August instead of operating her previously advertised lunchtime sailings 17-26 to Flüelen - her sailings were covered by mv Schwyz
Do you have any further information why she was unable to sail ?

8th August 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated a two-ship afternoon cruise at 1330 from Arbon on Thursday 8th August going out on mv Oesterreich - which has joined the HSG fleet this year - and returning with the paddle steamer followed by an evening dinner cruise from Arbon at 1900

5th August 2019

MPV Italie broke down at Montreux due to problems with her starboard paddle wheel towards the end of her sailing 509 on Monday 5th August
In consequence sailing 510 was cancelled, so PS Simplon picked up the Vevey passengers on her sailing 908 and after picking up "Italie's Montreux passenger made an additional call at Le Bouveret on her return sailing 909 to Lausanne to drop them off
Commencing Tuesday 6th August mv Général-Guisan covered her Upper Lake Cruise sailings 901-904-504-505-506-507-508-509-510 round the Upper Lake until further notice
Do you have any further information ?

2nd August 2019

PS Uri operated the first of several weekly evening Jazz cruises from Luzern at 1925 on Friday 2nd August

1st August 2019

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Thursday 1st August

PS La Suisse operated evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Thursday 1st August

PS Hohentwiel operated both an afternoon cruise and an evening 'dinner and theatre cruise' from Rorschach on Thursday 1st August

Fireworks at Brunnen
All four (operational) paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display on Thursday 1st August

PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel on Thursday 1st August

In additional to the regular afternoon timetabled sailings 15-16 PS Blümlisalp took part in the annual evening naval parade from Thun at 2020 along with most of the lake's motor vessels on Thursday 1st August

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Thursday 1st August after her Sunday/Public Holiday timetabled sailing to Schmerikon

31st July 2018

MPV Italie operated an evening Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Wednesday 31st July

28th July 2019

PS Stadt Rapperswil terminated her "Upper Lake" sailing 107 sailing to Schmerikon at Pfäffikon and the return sailing 108 also started from the same pier on Sunday 28th July due to strong side winds
Presumably the captain wisely decided not to risk a repeat of Friday 17th July 2015 when the same paddle steamer was blown against the side of the narrow channel to the Upper Lake which resulted in major damage to her paddle wheel and an immediate termination of her season for long-term repairs

25th July 2019

PS Blümlisalp drifted slightly off course at Faulensee on the return evening sailing 126 on Thursday 25th July and collided with two small, moored sailing boats
She remained in dock for safety checks the following day being covered by mv Bubenberg
In the absence of any defect being found, she returned to her normal service on the Saturday (27th July)
Do you have any further information ?

21st July 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated both an afternoon cruise and an evening 'dinner and theatre cruise' from Rorschach on Sunday 21st July

16th July 2019

PS La Suisse remained in dock at Lausanne for two days of mid-season servicing on Tuesday 16th July and Wednesday 17th July - this was a sensible precaution before the very busy "Fête des Vignerons period" at Vevey
This time her three Upper Lake sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205 were covered by mv Lausanne
Do you have any further information ?

14th July 2019

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at Evian-les-Bains on Sunday 14th July

7th July 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated an afternoon cruise at 1330 from Romanshorn on Sunday 7th July going out on the paddle steamer and returning with mv Oesterreich - which has joined the HSG fleet this year

6th July 2019

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening Fireworks cruise from Zurich to the Zurich Festival on Saturday 6th July
A similar cruise originally advertised for Friday 5th July had to be cancelled as the paddle steamer had a private charter

29th June 2019

MPV Italie operated an evening Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Saturday 29th June for the 450 years of French-Swiss Friendship celebrations

22nd June 2019

PS Concordia operated a special evening Fireworks Cruise from Como to Isola Comacina for the annual St John's Feast at 2015 on Saturday 22nd June

20th June 2019

PS La Suisse remained at Lausanne all day Thursday 20th June due to a breakdown
Unusually, intead of "stepping-up" other members of the fleet to cover at least some of her sailings, the CGN simply took the easy way out and cancelled her three round trips sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205 to the Upper Lake
Do you have any further information ?

8th June 2019

MPV Vevey operated the afternoon Evian-les-Bains Ferry Service in connection with the Whit Weekend Festival on Saturday 8th June and Sunday 9th June

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Saturday 8th June

1st June 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Saturday 1st June

30th May 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated an afternoon cruise at 1330 from Rorschach on Thursday 30th May going out on the paddle steamer and returning with mv Oesterreich - which had joined the HSG fleet this year

25th May 2019

PS Neuchâtel operated her first timetabled sailingvto Bienne/Biel since returning to service in 2014 on Saturday 25th May, which will be repeated most Saturdays throughout the 2019 season

25th May 2019

Lake Brienz

Further problems forced PS Lotschberg to terminate what had become her first return sailing 66 of the 2019 season at Giessbach See on Saturday 25th May
After yet more repairs, she was back in service normally the following day

18th May 2019

PS Neuchâtel operated a special Lunch Cruise from Lüscherz pier at 1315 on Saturday 18th May in conjunction with the Trivapor "AGM"

Lake Brienz

Owing to boiler problems, PS Lotschberg was unable to re-enter service as planned on Saturday 18th May but after replairs was able to commenced her 2019 season a week later on Saturday 18th May

5th May 2019

PS Concordia was rostered to operate the full length sailings 14-45 from Como at 1030 to Colico on Saturday 5th May
Unfortunately, this sailing, along with most others on the lake, had to be cancelled due to exceptionally strong winds

30th April 2019

Both PS Hohentwiel and mv Oesterreich - which has joined the HSG fleet this year - operated a 'two-ship' international afternoon cruise from Lindau at 1345 to Rorschach on Tuesday 30th April

27th April 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated an afternoon International cruise from Konstanz to Meersburg at 1415 on Saturday 27th April

26th April 2019

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Friday 26th April

21st April 2019

All lakes

Easter Sunday 21st April

PS Unterwalden is planned to operate an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 21st April

13th April 2019

PS Uri is planned to operate a winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 13th April

14th February 2019

MPV Italie operated a special Evening Valentines Dinner Cruise from Geneva on Thursday 14th February

1st January 2019

All lakes

New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated New Year's Day Lunch Cruises from Lausanne and Geneva respectively on Tuesday 1st January

PS Uri operated a New Year's Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Tuesday 1st January

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1008 and 1240 on Tuesday 1st January

2018

If you have any further news please e-mail me so the information can be posted for the benefit of other visitors to this website

31st December 2018

All lakes

New Year's Eve - Monday 31st December

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated evening Dinner Cruises from the Upper Lake and Geneva respectively on Monday 31st December

PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Monday 31st December

In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Thun at 2010 on Monday 31st December

25th December 2018

All lakes

Christmas Day - Tuesday 25th December

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Christmas Tiesday 25th December

PS Uri operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Monday 25th December

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1008 and 1240 on Christmas Day - Tuesday 25th December then daily until Wednesday 2nd January

24th December 2018

PS Uri operated a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Monday 24th December

20th October 2018

Owing to a shortage of motor vessels PS Concordia made a rare autumn appearance and covered the full length sailings 14-45 from Como at 1030 to Colico on Saturday 20th October - this being her first visit to the head of the in 2018 and probably* the first time on a public timetabled sailing since 2011
She continued on this roster each day until Wednesday 24th October by which time mv Manzoni had completed her repairs enabling her to take over from the Thursday
* - can you confirm or advise otherwise ?

30th September 2018

Lake Maggiore

PS Piemonte operated a special International Charter Cruise from Stresa (Italy) to Ascona at the Swiss end of the lake on Sunday 30th September
This sailing is open to the public

25th August 2018

Lake Garda

MPV Italia operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Riva at 2115 on Saturday 25th August

17th August 2018

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 17th August

9th August 2018

PS Gallia suffered a breakdown which caused her to miss her booked sailings on both Thursday 9th August and Friday 10th August
In consequence her sister PS Schiller "stepped-up" to cover her Best of Lake Luzern cruise to Brunnen her teatime sailings 19-22-29-38
Do you have any further information ?

2nd August 2018

Whilst operating her afternoon sailing 106 from Geneva MPV Vevey got what turned out to be a "slackline" wrapped around its starboard paddle as she approached the Eaux-Vives pier - it had earlier been attached between two piles but had subsequently dropped into the water - and after leaving these solid lines began to cause some overheating as well as damaging the mechanism
After the crew realised what the problem was she was terminated at Yvoire resuting in the remainder of her saiings planned for Thursday 2nd August being cancelled
She was later towed back to Ouchy dock for repairs by mv Général-Guisan
It is assumed her passengers either had to cross to Nyon slightly later on PS Savoie for an onward train connection or wait for the evening sailing back to Lausanne on PS Montreux
In consequence mv Henry-Dunant was brought back from "standby" at Geneva yet again to cover her sailings from Friday 3rd August
She is expected to be out of service for between a week and ten days
Do you have any further information ?

1st August 2018

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Wednesday 1st August

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Wednesday 1st August

PS Hohentwiel operated afternoon and evening cruises from Rorschach, Romanshorn and Arbon on Wednesday 1st August

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display on Wednesday 1st August

PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Wednesday 1st August

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Wednesday 1st August after her Sunday/Public Holiday timetabled sailing to Schmerikon

31st July 2018

MPV Italie operated an evening Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Tuesday 31st July

17th July 2018

MPV Italie returned to Lausanne dock for initially three days of repairs on Tuesday 17th July and her Upper Lake sailings were covered by mv Henry-Dunant
The problems must have been more than originally anticipated as her stay was extended until Wednesday 25th July

16th July 2018

Owing to further unknown problems, PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock all day on both Monday 16th July and Tuesday 17th July
Instead of her sisters "stepping up" to cover all the advertised "Gotthard Panoramic Express" sailings 13-24, the new mv Diamant did the honours
The same arrangement also happened on the following day (Tuesday)
Do you have any further information why PS Stadt Luzern was unable to sail as advertised ?

15th July 2018

PS Neuchâtel broke down at Neuchâtel after operating her morning sailing to Portalban on Sunday 15th July and engineers then appeared to be having problems with the mechanism for lowering the funnel (necessary to pass under low bridge en route to and from Murtensee)
Her lunchtime sailing to Murten was covered by mv Ville-de-Neuchâtel and possibly for the rest of the day
Can you confirm if she did also miss her afternoon sailings ?
Rudder problems were also later reported and she ended up missing all her sailings on Tuesday 17th July as well, but following repairs she was back in service on Thursday 19th July as seen at lunchtime at Murten

14th July 2018

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at Evian-les-Bains on Saturday 14th July

12th July 2018

PS Montreux brokedown at Lausanne with technical problems before the start of service on Thursday 12th July
In consequence mv Henry-Dunant was brought back from "standby" at Geneva to cover sailings 906-907-487-488 to the Upper Lske and Yvoire
She was expected to be out of service for four days
Do you have any further information ?

5th July 2018

Owing to unknown problems, PS Gallia remained at the dock all day on Thursday 5th July
In consequence PS Schiller was brought out to cover her afternoon sailings 21-30
The same arrangement also happened on the following day (Friday)
Do you have any further information why PS Gallia was unable to sail as initially advertised ?

2nd July 2018

Owing to unknown problems, PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock all day on Monday 2nd July
In consequence PS Gallia was brought out to cover with most of her sisters "stepped up" to cover all the advertised paddle steamer sailings
The same arrangement also happened on the following day (Tuesday)
Do you have any further information why PS Stadt Luzern was unable to sail as advertised ?

Owing to unknown problems, PS Blümlisalp remained at the dock all day on Monday 2nd July
In consequence mv Bubenberg was brought out to cover sailings 15-16 to Interlaken
Do you have any further information why PS Blümlisalp was unable to sail as advertised ?

28th June 2018

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the first of several "new" Thursday evening BBQ cruises from Zurich on Thursday 28th June
Similar cruises are also planned for 12th and 26th July, 23rd August and 26th September

22nd June 2018

Owing to unknown problems, PS Blümlisalp broke down on Friday 22nd June back from Interlaken in the late afternoon
In consequence her evening sailings 125-126 to Beatenbucht were covered by mv Oberland on both Friday and Saturday and her Saturday daytime sailings 15-16 to Interlaken was covered by mv Bubenberg
Do you have any further information ?

21st June 2018

Owing to unknown problems, PS Unterwalden remained at the dock for two days
In consequence PS Gallia remained in service to cover with most of her sisters "stepping up" to cover most of the advertised sailings on both Thursday and Friday 21st and 22nd June although the afternoon Alpnachstad sailing had to be covered by mv Waldstätter
Do you have any further information why PS Uri was unable to sail as advertised ?

19th June 2018

Owing to unknown probelems, PS Uri remained at the dock all day
In consequence PS Gallia was brought out to operate the 0910 sailings 7-18 to Fluelen and return on Tuesday 19th June
The proplem must have be worse than initially thought as the SGV roster was further amended to repeat the same changes the following day
Do you have any further information why PS Uri was unable to sail as advertised ?

19th May 2018

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Saturday 19th May

14th May 2018

PS La Suisse remained at Ouchy dock for further repairs
In consequence the smaller MPV Vevey covered sailings 920-921-922-923 on Monday and Tuesday 14th and 15th May
Do you have any further information ?

6th May 2018

All lakes

Swiss Navigation Day - Sunday 6th May

PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise followed by an afternoon cruise from Arbon at 1000 and 1450 on Sunday 6th May

Both and PS Stadt Rapperswil and PS Stadt Zürich were unusually both in public service on the same day operating the 1030 and 1530 sailings 105-106-115-116 to Rapperswil and the first full-length 1130 sailings 107-108 of 2018 to Schmerikon respectively on Sunday 5th May

29th April 2018

Owing to unknown technical probelms, PS La Suisse remained at Ouchy dock
In consequence mv Valais quickly covered sailings 920-921-922-923 on Sunday 29th April
Do you have any further information ?

22nd April 2018

Owing to unknown probelms, PS Unterwalden remained at the dock all day
In consequence PS Stadt Luzern (which had previously been used for a pre-season charter) was brought out to operate the 1110 "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 and PS Uri was planned to cover sailings 7-18 on Sunday 22nd April
In the end mv Gotthard operated the early sailings 7-18 before towing that paddle steamer to dock - presumably also for repairs
Far from the start to the season the SGV were hoping for !!!
Do you have any further information why both PS Unterwalden and PS Uri were unable to sail as planned ?

1st April 2018

All lakes

Easter Sunday 1st April

PS Concordia made a surprise early appearance in 2018 operating timetabled sailings 12-31-340-341-348-349 from Como at 0950 on Easter Sunday 1st April

PS Unterwalden operated an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 1st April

24th March 2018

PS Uri operated a winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 24th March

14th February 2018

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated special Evening Valentines Dinner Cruises from Geneva and Lausnne respectively on Wednesday 14th February

1st January 2018

All lakes

New Year's Day - Monday 1st January

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated New Year's Day Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Monday 1st January

PS Uri operated a New Year's Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Monday 1st January

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Monday 1st January

2017

If you have any further news please e-mail me so the information can be posted for the benefit of other visitors to this website

31st December 2017

All lakes

New Year's Eve - Sunday 31st December

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated an evening Dinner Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake respectively on Sunday 31st December

PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Sunday 31st December

In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Thun at 2010 on Sunday 31st December

25th December 2017

All lakes

Christmas Day - Monday 25th December

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Monday 25th December

PS Uri operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Monday 25th December

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Christmas Day - Monday 25th December then daily until Tuesday 2nd January

24th December 2017

All lakes

Christmas Eve - Sunday 24th December

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated the timetabled Christmas Eve Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Sunday 24th December

PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Sunday 24th December

11th December 2017

Owing to a very bad weather forecast for the week, MPV Vevey was pressed into service to cover the Thonon-les-Bains ferry in lieu of mv Lausanne from lunchtime on Monday 11th December until the end of service on Friday 15th December
Storms prevented her sailing in the morning on Thursday 14th December

10th-11th November 2017

PS Uri operated two rare winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruises" from Luzern at 2000 on Friday 10th November and Saturday 11th November

29th October 2017

PS La Suisse operated winter timetabled sailings 1107-1108-1109-1110-930-931 to Evian-les-Bains and the Upper lake on Sunday 29th October - something normally restricted to the motor paddle vessels

21st October 2017

Lake Maggiore

PS Piemonte operated a special International Charter Cruise from Arona (Italy) to Locarno at the Swiss end of the lake on Saturday 21st October
This sailing is open to the public

7th October 2017

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening "Fondue Cruise" from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 7th October

16th September 2017

PS Stadt Zürich set off from Zurich as planned at 1130 for Schmerikon on Saturday 16th September operating sailing 107 but had rudder problems off-Schmerikon - it then took over 40 minutes before the passengers were able to get ashore following use of the emergency rudder
The return sailing 108 was cancelled, but after further repairs, the paddle steamer later made her own way 'light' back to dock
Despite sister PS Stadt Raperswil being spare, the ZSG rostered mv Wädenswil to cover the same sailings on the Sunday
The paddle steamer was back in service again on the Monday

3rd September 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise and an afternoon International cruise from Konstanz at 1000 and 1415 on Sunday 3rd September

Owing to insufficient operational motor vessels - compounded by the breakdown of mv Schwyz for several days, PS Stadt Luzern had to be rostered to operate the lightly loaded 1000 ferry sailing 504 connection off the recently re-opened Bürgenstock funicular on Sunday 3rd September before operating her regular "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 to Flüelen
This released the small regular ferry mv Titlis to cover another motor vessel

2nd September 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated morning, afternoon and evening cruises from Altnau and Konstanz on Saturday 2nd September

27th August 2017

PS Rhône operated a special ABVL Charter Cruise from Lausanne and Morges to Amphion and Evian-les-Bains as part of her "90th Birthday celebrations"

26th August 2017

Lake Garda

MPV G Zanardelli operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Riva at 2115 on Saturday 26th August

PS Stadt Rapperswil set off from Zurich as planned at 0930 for Rapperswil on Saturday 26th August operating sailing 103 but 'appanently' failed to return
Later sister PS Stadt Zürich arrived light from the dock at 1415 and covered the 1430 sailing 113 to Rapperswil
Do YOU have any further information ?

13th August 2017

Owing to PS La Suisse having to go into dock for urgent pre-planned repairs PS Rhône operated the Lausanne based Upper Lake sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205 from Sunday 13th August to Thursday 17th August inclusive

PS Montreux brokedown at Lausanne with minor "technical problems" and her evening sailings 487-488 to and from Yvoire had to be covered by the much smaller mv Morges
She returned to service at 1415 the following day
Do YOU have any further information ?

12th August 2017

PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock for the second time in less than a week with further "technical problems"
PS Schiller "stepped-up" to cover the 1110 "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 and mv Europa was again pressed into covering advertised paddle steamer sailings on Saturday 12th August
Do YOU have any further information ?

10th August 2017

PS Schiller remained at the dock for the second time this year with "technical problems"
Onced again mv Europa was pressed into covering advertised paddle steamer sailings on Thursday 10th August
Do YOU have any further information ?

6th August 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise and an evening Theatre Cruise from Rorschach) at 1000 and 1815 on Sunday 6th August

PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock all day with some form of "technical problem"
Unusually, rather than "stepping-up" one of the other paddle steamers, the 1110 "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 had to be covered by mv Europa on Sunday 6th August
Do YOU have any further information ?

1st August 2017

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Tuesday 1st August

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Tuesday 1st August

PS Hohentwiel operated morning, afternoon and evening cruises from Rorschach, Romanshorn and Arbon on Tuesday 1st August

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display on Tuesday 1st August

PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Tuesday 1st August instead of her regular timetabled sailings

PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Tuesday 1st August after her Sunday/Public Holiday timetabled sailing to Schmerikon

31st July 2017

MPV Vevey operatd an evening Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Monday 31st July

23rd July 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner and Theatre Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Sunday 23rd July

19th July 2017

Following operating her normal timetabled sailings the previous day, PS Stadt Rapperswil remained in dock from Wednesday 19th July whilst repairs were made to her port paddle wheel
It is understood this involved re-welding part of her new paddle wheel which had been built to replace the one which was damaged when she grounded in strong winds on Friday 17th July 2015
She ran a public "test" day as far as Rapperswil only on Thursday 17th August..........
..........and subsequently re-started her regualar timetabled sailings alternating with sister PS Stadt Zürich the following Wednesday

14th July 2017

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at Evian-les-Bains on Friday 14th July

4th July 2017

Despite PS Schiller originally being rostered to operate her usual sailings, she visited the dock on Tuesday 4th July for two days of repairs
- DO YOU KNOW WHY ?
Fortunately only four paddle steamers are advertised in service at this time of the year, so her sister PS Gallia will cover her sailings 21-30 for the two days

23rd June 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated an Afternoon Cruise from Konstanz at 1430 and an evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Konstanz at 1900on Friday 23rd June

12th June 2017

Despite PS Uri originally being planned to operate her normal sailings 7-18 from Luzern to Flüelen on Monday 13th June she made a visit to dock - DO YOU KNOW WHY ?
Fortunately only four paddle steamers are advertised in service at this time of the year, so her sisters were able to "step-up" to cover
She returned to service on Wednesday 14th June before returning to dock for two more days on Friday 16th June and Saturday 17th June

11th June 2017

PS Rhône operated three special "Creux de Sciez" circuits serving the piers at Margencel, Sciez and Excenevex which are no longer served by regular timetabled sailings on Sunday 11th June

4th June 2017

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Konstanz to Immenstaad (Germany) at 1025 and 1315 on Sunday 4th June

3rd June 2017

PS Rhône operated the mid-morning sailing from Lausanne to Yvoire/Nyon over the 3-Day Whit weekend commencing Saturday 3rd June

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Saturday 3rd June

25th May 2017

PS Simplon suffered a lubrification problem in the low pressure cylinder whilst operating sailing 102 from Geneva on Ascension Thursday 25th May and was taken was taken out of service at Lausanne for quick repairs
In consequence return sailing 105 was covered by the much smaller ferry mv Ville-de-Genève - a rare occasion for her to visit Geneva
The paddle steamer was quickly repaired and returned light to Geneva the following day allowing her to cover the weekend sailings 102-105 as originally planned

7th May 2017

All lakes

Swiss Navigation Day - Sunday 7th May
Instead of the usual "last Sunday in April" it was held slightly later in 2017

To celebrate 25 years back in service PS Blümlisalp opened her anniversary year with a special 3 hour pre-season family "sailing day" including special offers and surprises for Adults and Children at 1114 from Thun on Sunday 7th May

6th May 2017

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening "Dinner Cruise" from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 6th May
This special sailing was originally advertised for Saturday 29th April

29th April 2017

PS Simplon operated a pre-season afternoon " Charter Cruise" for the 'ABVL' AGM from Montreux on Saturday 29th April

24th April 2017

PS Savoie suffered a failure just before operating the 1140 sailing 920 from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon (it turned out to be a minor technical problem with an engine pump that occurred just before sailing) which was quickly repaired to enable the paddle steamer to return to service with the afternoon sailings 922-923
To cover, the CGN turned out the much smaller mv Général-Guisan at short notice to cover the sailing, afterwhich she was later able to operate her regular evening Thonon-les-Bains ferry crossing

17th April 2017

All lakes

Easter Monday 17th April

PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1000 on Easter Monday 17th April

16th April 2017

All lakes

Easter Sunday 16th April

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Easter Sunday 16th April

PS Unterwalden operated an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 16th April resulting in her morning timetabled sailings 7-18 had to be replaced by a mv Gotthard

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the lunchtime timetabled sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Easter Sunday 16th April

14th April 2017

All lakes

Good Friday 14th April

As a result of a very good weather forecast PS La Suisse was rostered to operate the Upper Lake sailings 920-921-922-923 from Lausanne in order to provide additional capacity on Good Friday 14th April

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the lunchtime timetabled sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Friday 14th April and all over the Easter weekend

10th April 2017

As a result of a major overhaul of the regular ferry mv Léman PS La Suisse operated most of the weekday Evian-les-Bains ferry sailings for several weeks commencing Monday 10th April

9th April 2017

PS La Suisse operated a rare winter afternoon ABVL "Charter Cruise" from Lausanne dock in conjunction with a special Steam-Hauled train from Le Bouveret to Rivaz/St-Saphorin (hauled by Pacific loco 01 202) on Sunday 9th April

28th March 2017

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated a pre-season evening "Charter Cruise" for the 'Aktion pro Raddampfer' AGM from Zurich Wollishofen on Tuesday 28th March
This "suggests" all the repair work following her breakdown on Sunday 8th May 2016 has been successfully completed
If you want to sail on this cruise and are not already a member of the supporters group - join NOW

18th March 2017

PS Unterwalden operated a rare winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 18th March

14th February 2017

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated special Evening Valentines Dinner Cruises from Geneva and Lausnne respectively on Tuesday 14th February

3rd February 2017

MPV Italie and MPV Vevey re-started the weekly winter-Friday Fondue Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Friday 3rd February

1st January 2017

All lakes

New Year's Day - Sunday 1st January

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated New Year's Day Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Sunday 1st January

PS Uri operated a New Year's Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Sunday 1st January

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Sunday 1st January

2016

If you have any further news please e-mail me so the information can be posted for the benefit of other visitors to this website

31st December 2016

All lakes

New Year's Eve - Saturday 31st December

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated evening Dinner Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake respectively on Saturday 31st December

PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Saturday 31st December

In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Thun at 2040 on Saturday 31st December

25th December 2016

All lakes

Christmas Day - Sunday 24th December

MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operatead Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Sunday 25th December

PS Uri operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Wednesday 25th December

PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Christmas Day - Sunday 25th December then daily until Monday 2nd January

24th December 2016

All lakes

Christmas Eve - Saturday 24th December

PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Saturday 24th December

22nd December 2016

MPV Itale unusually operated the evening Thonan-les-Bains ferry sailings 1213-1214-1221-1222-1225-1226 from Lausanne on Thursday 22nd December

25th November 2016

PS Uri operated the first of her season of Advent Evening Cruises from Luzern on Friday 25th November

30th October 2016

PS Savoie operated winter timetabled sailings - something normally restricted to the motor paddle vessels
This will be her first timetabled sailing for several years outside the Little Lake (her only other "escape" this year was a special sailing for the Naval Review)
She will sail from Lausanne to both Evian-les-Bains (in France) and Château-de-Chillon (in the Upper Lake) when she operates sailings 1107-1108-1109-1110-930-931 on Sunday 30th October

6th October 2016

PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening "Fondue Cruise" from Zurich at 2000 on Thursday 6th October

4th September 2016

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Rorschach to Wasserburg (Germany) at 1155 and 1450 on Sunday 4th September

29th August 2016

Owing to a problem with her low-pressure cylinder lubrication system PS Blümlisalp was unable to sail and her daytime sailings 15-16 to Interlaken were covered by mv Beatus
Repairs continued on the Tuesday and mv Beatus again covered the daytime sailings but the larger mv Berner Oberland operated the evening sailings 125-126 to Interlaken
The paddle steamer returned returned to service on Wednesday 31st August

27th August 2016

Lake Garda

MPV G Zanardelli operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Riva at 2115 on Saturday 27th August

19th August 2016

At approximately 1330 on Friday 19th August PS Unterwalden suddenly swung round through 90% (understood to have been caused by a 'rudder electronic-control' problem) damaging her bows as she collided into her sister PS Schiller off-Hermitage --- after some delay, she limped back to Luzern with her 136 passengers then proceeded direct to dock to assess the damage and remained there for several days
Meanwhile mv Gotthard was quickly dispatched from Luzern and the 321 passengers on board PS Schiller were transferred to the motor vessel which completed sailings 21-30 - the paddle steamer then returned light to dock to assess her damage - she was back in service the following day
Do you have any further details ?

14th August 2016

PS Concordia broke down in the middle of the lake shortly after leaving Varenna whilst operating her afternoon sailing "sp3" on Sunday 14th August due to problems with her high pressure 'stuffing box'
After quick repairs, she was able to prodeed under her own steam direct to Menaggio to cover her much delayed 1550 departure back to Como
In consequence her planned sailings for the following day had to be covered by a motor vessel whilst further attention was given to a small defect in the cylinder/piston rods

12th August 2016

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 12th August

5th August 2016

PS Stadt Luzern operated the first of several evening Jazz Cruises from Luzern at 1925 on Friday 5th August

1st August 2016

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Monday 1st August

PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Sunday 1st August

PS Hohentwiel operated a selection of cruises from Rorschach, Arbon and Romanshorn at 1000, 1415, 1505 and 1900 on Monday 1st August

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display on Monday 1st August

PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Monday 1st August

PS Stadt Zurich operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Monday 1st August after her timetabled sailing to Schmerikon

31st July 2016