|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Christmas Day - Wednesday
25th December MPV Vevey and MPV Italie are planned to operate Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake piers respectively on Christmas Day - Wednesday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
|
Whilst operating the morning
sailing 10 from Como to Menaggio,
PS Concordia
broke down at
Argegno with clouds of
steam escaping from a faulty valve resulting in the remaining outward as well as the
return journey
being cancelled The paddle sreamer returned to dock for interim repairs followed by a test sailing on Thursday 31st October which only got as Lenno due to the faulty valve Her season was immediately termnated early with her final planned sailing the following Sunday being covered by a mitor vessel | |||||||||||||||||
|
This was the final visit of 2024 to a Swiss port | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Whilst moored overnight at Le Bouveret pier,
MPV Vevey
was struck by lightning resulting in some damage to her he mizzen mast, which
carries her position lights She was already planned to make a short "48 hour" mid-summer visit to Ouchy dock the following day and she sailed there under her own power Sister MPV Italie took over the Upper Lake roster from 1100 resulting in mv Lausanne again being called upon to cover the long Lausanne based roster to both Geneva and Montreux The latest position is MPV Vevey is now expected to return to service from 1100 on Monday 19th August enabling MPV Italie to take over again from mv Lausanne from Tuesday 20th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
' ..........the first of 2024 was from Hard on Sunday 19th May In the afternoon she continued by operating an afternoon cruise from Romanshorn and Arbon | |||||||||||||||||
|
Whilst undertaking her winter overhaul, a crack was discoved on one of her 100 year
old plus' pistons which has had to be recast specially This has reacted on the progress on work to other parts of her overhaul resulting in a delayed start to her 2024 season - the latest estimate for entry into service is now the "end of June" | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
operated an evening
Jazz Cruise from Romanshorn at | |||||||||||||||||
|
Whilst undertaking a test sail on Thursday 28th March
PS Simplon
broke down mid-lake due to the central column of the
crankshaft overheating resulting in
Some CGN staff remained on board and as the weather worsened on the Friday they were joined by the fire brigade and police and used pumps to prevent her from sinking as the Vaudaire storm intensified blowing her stern onto the rocks - resulting in serious damage to both PS Simplon and Cully pier - which remains out of use until further notice The planned additional Lunch Cruise from Lausanne to the Upper Lake was cancelled on Easter Saturday to allow some of her crew to take mv Léman to Cully where after a struggle the paddle sreamer - which had become jammed into the damaged concrete part of the pier - was freed and eventually towed back to Ouchy harbour to qnantify the extensive amount of rapair work needed, which includes two leaks in the hull as well as replacing structural work on the starboard side immediately in front of the paddlebox The CGN sunsequently confirmed she will not be repaired in time to sail during 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern on Saturday 4th November | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern on Saturday 7th October | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Concordia
operate | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Concordia operated the 1045 timetabled sailings 214 and 281 from Como to Bellagio which continued to Lecco and return after time ashore for lunch on Sunday 24th September in connecfion with a special steam hauled train from Milan | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated her final evening Wine and Dine Cruise of 2023 from Luzern on Saturday 9th September | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Following engine problems on the
Sunday,
PS Schiller returned to dock after
completing her planned sailings for the day, but was declared a
failure
on Monday morning whilst repairs were undertaken over the next five days Her planned Flüelen sailings were covered by the smaller PS Gallia (who had just finished her extra "peak-summer" sailings) commencing Monday 21st August until PS Schiller returned to service on Saturday 26th August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 18th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated the first of five Friday evening Jazz Cruises from Luzern on Friday 4th August | |||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day - Tuesday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
| Four paddle steamers (PSs Stadt Luzern, Schiller, Unterwalden and Uri) took part in the annual parade along with some motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Tuesday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Neuchâtel operate an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Tuesday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
In additional to the regular afternoon
timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening fireworks cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Monday 1st August instead of her usual timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Owing to the
breakdown of
PS Uri, her sister
PS Gallia covered her planned
sailings 7-18 to Flüelen on
Monday
24th July Following quick repairs, she returned to service and operated her regular roster from the following day | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte visited Stresa for the "Liberty" event on Sunday 9th July including operating three 'one-hour' non-landing cruses round the Borromean Islands | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Luzern on Saturday 8th July | |||||||||||||||||
| Instead of operating her usual timetable sailings, PS Stadt Rapperswil is planned to operate an evening Fireworks Cruise from Zurich Wollishofen at 1945 on Friday 7th July | |||||||||||||||||
|
The motor paddle vessel
broke down
at the end of her first
sailing 71 of the day from Riva to
Malcesine Her next couple of sailings were cancelled before a motor vessel was found to take over for the rest of the day also the following day Following quick repairs, she returned to service on the Saturday | |||||||||||||||||
|
On returning to Luzern at the end of her return lunchtime
sailing
154 from Kussnächt-am-Rigi,
PS Unterwalden
broke
down due to a faulty burner control and returned to dock to
await the arrival of a replacement part Her sailings were then operated covered by motor vessels starting with mv Waldstätter being "stepped-up" to coover her afternoon sailing 65 to Alpnachstad Following repairs after the arrival of her replacement part, she returned to service on Thursday 6th July | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated part of a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach on Wednesday 28th June going out on the paddle steamer to a mystery destination and returning on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
|
Whilst crossing the lake from St Gingolph to Vevey Marché on outward
sailing
509 at the start of her final "Round
the Upper Lake" trip on
Friday 23rd June,
MPV Vevey suffered
major damage
to her port paddlewheel - probably caused by floating debris after the recent
storms She managed to make her own way back to Le Bouveret pier where she moored at the inner berth to await a "slot" to visit Ouchy dock for repairs Her sailings from the following day were covered by | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Simplon operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Nyon at 1900 on Thursday 15th June | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel and mv Oesterreich operated a two-ship Afternoon Cruise to Rorschach for a historical train on the Appenzell railway on Sunday 11th June going out on one ship and returning on the other | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern on Saturday 15th April | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated part of a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Arbon on Thursday 8th June going out on mv Oesterreich to a mystery destination and returning on the paddle steamer | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel and mv Oesterreich operated a two-ship Afternoon Cruise to Rorschach for a historical train on the Appenzell railway on Sunday 28th May going out on one ship and returning on the other | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel visited the "Nautic Classics" Festival at Arbon on Sunday 21st May and perated a morning cruise followed by an afternoon joint excursion with an "Oldtimer" bus to Rorschach where passengers changed | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
operated an evening
Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte operated a special sailing from Laveno to Isola Bella and Isola Superiore and back on Sunday 7th May in connection with an historical train from Milan | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Luzern
operated an evening
Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern on
Saturday
10th June Similar cruises are also planned for 12th August, 7th October and 4th November | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Rhône
broke down at Yvoire with technical
problems on
Tuesday 9th May and all her sailings for the next 48 hours were cancelled as
there was no spare motor vessel to cover She subsequently made a quick visit to Ouchy dock for repairs before sailing 'light' to Yvoire on the Thursday morning to toke up her advertised sailings from lunchtime | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Luzern
suffered a technical problem on her return sailing on the
Saturday afternoon
and retired to the dock to assess the problem With no quick fix available, PS Uri covered her "Gotthard Panoramic Express" sailing 13 to Flüelen and back on Sunday 7th May - she later returned to service the following Thursday as originally planned | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte operated a special sailing from Laveno to Isola Bella and Isola Superiore and back on Sunday 7th May in connection with a special steam-hauled train from Milan | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern on Saturday 15th April | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Christmas Day - Sunday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 15-16 from Thun at 1240 on Christmas Day - Sunday 25th December then daily until Monday 2nd January | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Italie and PS Rhône operated Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Christmas Day - Sunday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| After competion of her advertised
sailings,
a
problem with the control of the port paddle-wheel was discovered
- resulting in sebsequent announcements that her sailings would be CANCELLED
on the first
four weekends of January 2023 She eventually returned to service on Sunday 29th January with a much delayed first sailing of 2023 from Geneva | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Concordia operated a special limited-stop sailing from Como to Lecco and return after one hour ashore on Sunday 11th December followed by a short Advent Cruise | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Concordia was advertised to operate a special non-stop sailing from Como to Menaggio and return after two hours ashore on Sunday 4th December | |||||||||||||||||
It is understood passengers were landed at Cernobbio - it is not known how they returned - before she made her own way "light" to the dock resulting in the CANCELLATION of the rest of the trip to Menaggio and return as well as the two short Advent cruises It appears the problem was quickly identified and fixed as the NLC later issued confirmation she would sail the following Sunday to Lecco | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte operated four special short sailings "round the Borromean Islands" on Saturdays 3rd, 10th and 17th December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a selection of evening Advent Cruises commencing with a Fondue Cruise from Luzern on Friday 18th November | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated her final evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" of 2022 from Luzern on Saturday 5th November | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Piemonte
operated a special sailing from Arona and Intra to Isola Bella and Isola Superiore and back on
Sunday 16th October
in connection with a special steam-hauled train from Milan The original plan was to pick up the train passengers at Laveno pier, but this was not possible to the exceptionally low water level on the lake - instead they had to join the ferry from the car ferry berth and connect at Intra into the paddle steamer | |||||||||||||||||
|
To mark 20 years of the "ABVL" ("Association des amis des bateaux à vapeur
du Léman" or "Friends" of the CGN),
PS Simplon (from Geneva)
also PS Savoie
and PS Montreux
(from Lausanne) operated special evening cruises meeting mid-lake on
Friday
16th September.......... | |||||||||||||||||
| ..........but earlier in the day
MPV Vevey
broke down at Geneva resulting in sailings
She eventually returned to service on the evening of Friday 30th September following repairs - during which time her weekend sailings were cancelled and most of her | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Rhône
was carrying approximately 100 passengerss when she
broke down
off-Corsier with a blocked hydraulic pump whilst operating her
afternoon
sailing 308 from Geneva to Hermatage In consequence the remainder of her sailings for the day were cancelled A small motor vessel was despatched from Geneva to collect the stranded passengers and returned them to Geneva about one hour late After repairs, the paddle steamer then relocated to Lausanne and returned to service on Saturday 8th October operating the weekend only autumn 1055 sailings | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
In addition MPV Italia operated an evening fireworks cruise from Torbole to Riva at 2115 on Sunday 28th August following her regulat timetables sailings despite the fireworks display at Riva initially being cancelled then subsequently reinstated | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Saturday 27th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
MPV Italie
broke
down at Lausanne before her first sailing of the day The Le Bouveret based ship mv Henry-Dunant took over the MPV roster at 1145 at Vevey and the small mv Morges stepped up to cover the Le Bouveret based roster from lunchtime Although initially MPV was only expected to spend just a few days at the dock, detailed examination of the work required extending her stay - with an updated anticipated return to service now being Friday 2nd September at the earliest | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 12th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day - Monday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Just three paddle steamers (PSs Stadt Luzern, Schiller and Uri) took part in the annual parade in convoy followed by just one motor vessel from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen on Monday 1st August - a far cry from the days when every paddle steamer along with numerous motor vessels would all flock to Brunnen to celebrate the Swiss National Day fireworks | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Monday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
In additional to the regular afternoon
timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Monday 1st August after her usual timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
| details to follow | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte visited Stresa for the "Liberty" event on Sunday 10th July including operating three 'one-hour' non-landing cruses round the Borromean Islands | |||||||||||||||||
|
Shortly after leaving Vevey pier on the return leg of her first day operating timetabled
sailings during 2022 - whilst returning to Lausanne on her first
Round the Upper lake
sailings 200-201 on
Wednesday
29th June The small "Navibus" mv Genève was quickly summoned to take the 100 plus passengers back Lausanne The remainder of her sailing for that day and the following day were cancelled and mv Lausanne covered on the Friday After two days in dock undertaking repairs the paddle steamer returned to service and operating a full day's sailings on Saturday 2nd July | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated an evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Saturday 25th June | |||||||||||||||||
|
Despite passengers aleady being on board, PS
Rhône was declared a
failure on
Sunday 19th June and passengers had to alight - in
consequence the first "Round the Upper Lake"
sailings
200-201 were cancelled before
mv Lausanne was diverted from her rostered sailing
to Geneva to cover the remainder of the Upper lake
sailings, including the evening
sailing 982 to Montreux which had to be
retarded by 30 minutes Sailing 101 from Lausanne to Geveva was subsequently cancelled but mv Henry-Dunant - which was "spare" at Geneva - was quickly awakened to cover the return sailing 106 as far as Lausanne Update - after a test sailing on Thursday 7th July which found further problems, the paddle steamer continues to be cover by mv Henry-Dunant until eventually taking up her regular roster from | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Piemonte
was planned to operate another special sailing from Laveno to Isola Bella and Isola
Superiore and back on
Sunday 19th June in connection with a special steam-hauled train
from Milan, but owing to the exceptionally low water level on the lake,
she was unable to access Laveno pier A ferry provided additional connections between Laveno (ferry terminal) and Intra where passengers joined the paddle steamer for a curtailed cruise between Intra and Isola Bella only Onward connections to Isola Superior and Stresa had to be made by the normal small timetabled motor vessels | |||||||||||||||||
|
Unusually It is perhaps ironic she has subsequently been allocated an additional late charter on the following Saturday meaning it is now only five consecutive days in public service !!! | |||||||||||||||||
|
The same arrangement is also planned for both Sundays 3rd July and 18th September when similar special steam hauled trains will again operate | |||||||||||||||||
|
It was subsequently announced the two sailing planned from Riva have been re-allocated to MPV Italia to avoid a long positioning run from Desenzano as was the case back in 2020 on her last public visit to the northern end of the lake | |||||||||||||||||
|
All seven operational
paddle steamers took part in the first
Naval Parade since the end of Covid This year it was held off-Montreux and ended with all the paddle steamers lining up | |||||||||||||||||
| Unfortunately after landing some of her passengers at
Montreux
pier, the piston rod of the high pressure cylinder on
PS La Suisse
overheated on her return trip to Lausanne where she was immediately taken out of service
and a subsequent detailed investigation found the damage was far more serious than
initially thought To begin with her scheduled sailings were taken over by PS Rhône before PS Simplon again took over the Lausanne to Upper Lake roster whilst her sister visited dock for guarenteed adjustments following her recent re-build were completed She then again took over the La Suisse roster and this arrangement is now expected to continue until at least the end of the first week of the summer timetable at the end of June | |||||||||||||||||
| Hohentwiel
operated a two-ship
Afternoon Cruise along with
mv Oesterreich from Arbon to Rorschach on
Sunday 22nd May Passengers had the choice of going out on either ship returning on the other In the evening the paddle steamer operated an evening "Dinner Cruise" from Arbon at 1900 | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
operated an evening
Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte operated a special sailing from Laveno to Isola Bella and Isola Superiore and back on Sunday 15th May in connection with a special steam-hauled train from Milan | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a Mothers Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Sunday 8th May | |||||||||||||||||
| Easter Sunday 17th April | |||||||||||||||||
|
- this arrangement was repeated most subsequent Sundays throughout the rest of the NLC Spring timetable period | |||||||||||||||||
| Instead of operating her usual morning sailing to Flüuelen and return, PS Uri operated an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 17th April | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated three short crises on both Saturday 9th April and Sunday 10th April as part of the Romanshorn Harbour Fetival over the second weekend of April | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a pre-season winter evening " Candlelight Dinner Cruise" from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 9th April | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Rhône operated a rare full length "one-way" Welcome Back Cruise from Geneva to Le Bouverete on Sunday 27th February | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Rhône operated five short Welcome Back Cruise from Lausanne on Saturday 26th February | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Rhône
operated Owing to forcast strong winds, the last cruise was CANCELLED and the paddle steamer immediately headed 'light' to Geneva ready for her next VIP cruise from there | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Italie operated an evening Valentines Dinner Cruise from Geneva on Monday 14th February | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Italie operated an evening Russian Dinner Cruise at 2000 from Geneva on Thursday 13th January | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| New Year's Eve - Friday 31st December | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated evening Gala Dinner Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake piers respectively on New Year's Eve - Friday 31st December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a evening Gala Dinner Cruises from Luzern on New Year's Eve - Friday 31st December | |||||||||||||||||
| Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake Piers respectively on Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 15-16 from Thun at 1240 on Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December then daily until Sunday 2nd January | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Friday 24th December | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Italie operated the first if a series of a "one way" early-evening Dinner Cruise from Lausanne to Montreux for the Christmas Market on Thursday 9th December with passengers having to return to Lausanne by train | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Piemonte
spent Advent moored at Stresa pier transformed into a floating, all-weather
"Winter Wonderland Grotto" As part of the celebrations, she operate four special short early-evening "Polar Express - Father Christmas" sailings "round the Borromean Islands" on Saturdays 4th to 18th December also Tuesday 7th December | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated a selection of Advent Cruises commencing with an evening Fondue Cruise from Luzern on Friday 19th November | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel took part in a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Arbon on Friday 8th October going out on the paddle steamer and returning on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Owing to a defective "water level sensor"
PS Neuchâtel remained at Neuchâtel harbour on
Sunday
22nd August whilst repairs were carried out ready for her next day
in service In consequence, all her sailings had to be covered by a motor vessel | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Luzern
remained at the dock
at Luzern YET AGAIN for a further repairs on
Thursday 19th August A last minute change of rosters meant mv Europa had to step-up and cover the Gotthard Panorama Express sailings 13-24 from Luzern to Flüuelen and return | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day - Sunday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| Just three paddle steamers took part in the annual parade in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen on Sunday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Neuchâtel operate an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Sunday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
In additional to the regular afternoon
timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Rapperswil
operated an evening Dinner
Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on
Sunday | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Luzern
remained at the dock
at Luzern for a further planned two days meaning her
Gotthard Panorama Express
sailings 13 from Luzern to Flüuelen and
return had to be covered by
mv Diamant on
Wednesday and Thursday 28th July Surprisingly due to quick repairs she returned to service on the Thursday after missing just one day | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel took part in a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Arbon on Saturday 18th July going out on the paddle steamer and returning on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS La Suisse
operated an evening
Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at
| |||||||||||||||||
| Owing to the rapidly rising water level in the Upper Lake - meaning much steeper gangways at the smaller piers - the SGV decided to replace the new sailings 43-44 normally opereated by PS Gallia with mv Schwyz commencing Saturday 10th July - initially for just three days, but subsequently extended for "at least" a week.......... | |||||||||||||||||
| ..........then only a couple of hours later
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Owing to the "Low Water Level" on the lake - it had been partially drained in anticipation
of heavy rain - ALL sailings by both
PS Blümlisalp and the motor vessels
were SUSPENDED on Wednesday
7th July and again on
Thursday 8th July Sailings were able to resume on Friday 9th July and Saturday 10th July as a large volume of water had flowed from lake Brienz along the River Aare had rapidly raised the water level on lake Thun to near normal | |||||||||||||||||
|
Initially PS Montreux
remained at the dock
at Ouchy for "unknown" repairs resulting in
mv Henry-Dunant having to cover her afternoon and evening
sailings
906-907-478-488 to Châteaux-de-Chillon and Yvoire respectively Later MPV Italie broke down at Montreux at approximately 1640 whilst operating her afternoon sailing 508 from Vevey to Le Bouveret - resulting in the remained of her sailings for the day having to be CANCELLED Commencing the following day Do you have any further information ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Blümlisalp
suffered damage to her paddle
floats resulting in her having to remain at the dock for repairs on
Monday 28th June Her advertised sailings were covered by mv Berner Oberland and again the next two day She return to service on Thursday 1st July | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Luzern operated her first special sailing since her major rebuild - the first of a new monthly evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Saturday 26th June | |||||||||||||||||
|
The recently re-built PS Stadt
Luzern yet again
failed to operate her advertised sailing to Flüelen With no time to prepare another paddle steamer, mv Europa had to cover the "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailing 13 and return | |||||||||||||||||
|
Owing to the American/Russian "summit" at Geneva.......... ..........all sailing from Geneva by PS Savoie and the motor vessels were SUSPENDED all day on Wednesday 16th June | |||||||||||||||||
|
MPV Italie
broke down at
Le Bouveret due to an "unknown" problem, prior to her first
sailing 521
of the day on Sunday 13th
June resulting in its cancellation Sister MPV Vevey was quickly sent from Ouchy to cover the remainder of the Upper Lake "circle" cruises from 1005 With ongoing problems, MPV Vevey berthed overnight at Le Bouveret and was scheduled to continue in the Upper Lake until further notice Do you have any further information ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
During the pre-Season check before entering service, it was discovered there was
a problem with the old generator on Work is now in hand with repairs and a revised planned start date of early-July is more likely - in the interim her advertised 'four days a week' sailings will have to be covered by a motor vessel BEWARE - remember ALL Monday and Tuesday NLM sailings are suspended as aa post-Coronavirus economy measure throughout June further details will be given as soon as known | |||||||||||||||||
|
For many years the small motor vessel
mv Mythen was based at Brunnen for the summer and as well as the
covering the morning and evening ferry sailings to Treib (for Seelisberg commuters)
operated useful additional daytime round trips in the Upper Lake. These served the piers
used by people walking the popular "“Weg der Schweiz" path (round the lake between
Seelisberg/Rütli and Brunnen via Flüelen Following her withdrawal at the end if the 2020 season - without specific replacement - these sailings no longer operate in 2021 Aa partial compensation, from Whit Sunday 23rd May, PS Gallia (which prior to the Coronavirus precautions normally operated two round trips from Luzern to Beckenried) has had her 'middle' legs replaced by a round trip to Flüelen over the busy lunchtime period --- thus replacing her small "w" pattern of sailings with a large "V" - which is also designed to provide additional capacity to help relieve the busy afternoon sailings as day trippers return using the various intermediate 'funicular' (Treib), 'cable car' (Beckenried), 'rack-rail' (Vitznau) and 'funicular' (Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock) mountain connections | |||||||||||||||||
|
As a result of experience over the first weekend, the timings for the afternoon sailings were adjusted for the following weekends to give more time | |||||||||||||||||
|
The recently completely re-built PS Stadt
Luzern broke
down at Rütli with boiler problems whilst operating her outward
sailing
13 from Luzern to Flüuelen on
Friday
14th May After quick repairs she left approximately 35 minutes late and sailed direct to Flüelen Whilst stopped, mv Diamant 'double-banked' taking some passengers back to Luzern As a result of the outward delay, return sailing 24 ran approximately 10 minutes late throughout and was even reported running about 44 r.p.m. between Hertenstein and Verkehrshaus PS Uri had to cover her sailings the following day and she was back sailing normally on Sunday 16th May ..........BUT she had to return to the dock for a further four days on Monday 17th May followed by Tuesday 25th May, Thursday 17th June (for two more days) and again on Monday 21st June (for a further two days) In all these cases PS Gallia was | |||||||||||||||||
|
As Ascension Thursday 13th May was a local holiday in Switzerland, the normal Sunday
Timetables operated on Lakes
Geneva,
Luzern,
Thun and
Zurich Owing to the ongoing Coronavirus precautions, only motor vessels operated on Lakes Brienz and Neuchâtel | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel was planned to take part in a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach on Thursday 13th May going out on the paddle steamer and returning on mv Oesterreich, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| A paddle steamer was advertised to operate a Mothers Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Sunday 9th May, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel was to take part in a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach on Saturday 17th April going out on the paddle steamer and returning on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
| A paddle steamer was advertised to operate an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 17th April, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
CANCELLED due to the postponement of the overhaul of | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey was originally planned to operated an additional timetabled winter lunch cruise from Geneva to Nyon on Easter Monday 2nd April, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions and was replaced by four additional short cruises | |||||||||||||||||
| Easter Sunday 4th April | |||||||||||||||||
| A paddle steamer was advertised to operate an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 4th April, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| Good Friday 2nd April | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey was originally planned to operated an additional timetabled winter lunch cruise from Geneva to Nyon on Good Friday 2nd April, but this had to be cancelled due to the further extension of the Coronavirus precautions so was replaced by four additional short cruises | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the new 1420 sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Good Friday 2nd April | |||||||||||||||||
|
Thanks to a good weather, MPV
Vevey operated four special "One Hour" short These same arrangements are also to apply on 28th March - again weather permitting | |||||||||||||||||
| New Year's Day - Friday 1st January | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey was planned to operate an additional New Year's Day Lunch Cruise from Geneva on Friday 1st January, but this had to be cancelled due to the further Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
 |
New Year's Eve - Thursday 31st December | ||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey was planned to operate an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Geneva at 2000 on Thursday 31st December, but this had to be cancelled due to the further Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| PS
Uri was originally ADVERTISED to operate an evening
Gala Dinner
Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on
Thursday 31st December, but this was subsequently
CANCELLED by the SGV as a | |||||||||||||||||
| Christmas Day - Friday 25th December | |||||||||||||||||
| MPV Vevey was planned to operate an additional Christmas Day Lunch Cruise from Geneva on Friday 25th December, but this had to be cancelled due to the further Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri was originally advertised to operate a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Friday 25th December, but this (along with all the other cruises for the Christmas period) was cancelled by the SGV who kept her in dock as an economy measure | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte operated special sailings from Laveno to Isola Superiore and Isola Bella and back on Sunday 11th October and Sunday 25th October in connection with a special steam-hauled train from Milan | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
operated part of a two-ship Afternoon
Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach to Hard on
Saturday 10th October going out on
mv Oesterreich and returning with the paddle steamer This was the first time for many years that the paddle steamer has served a Swiss pier so late in the season (October) - unless of course YOU know something else ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Concordia
broke down
approaching Lecco pier with damage to her engine at the end of
sailing 287
from Bellagio on
Sunday 13th September - bringing her 2020 season to an abrupt end The short sailings 288-289 to Onno were immediately cancelled Several passengers quickly caught the small mv Ninfea on the all stops sailing 290 before it was confirmed mv Gigalo was on the way to cover the paddle steamer's sailing 290 to Bellano Then the former ex-paddle steamer mv Milano (which had been operating some mid lake ferry runs earlier in the day) covered the early-evening sailing 249 back to Como The following morning, car ferry mv Plinio went to Lecco and towed PS Concordia back to Tavernola dock for repairs Do you have any further information about what went wrong ? | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated part of a two-ship Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach to Hard on Thursday 10th September going out on the paddle steamer and returning on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Concordia operated an evening "Classical Music Cruise from Como at 1700 on Saturday 5th September | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Montreux
had further technical problems
at Rolle on her return evening dinner cruise
sailing 488
from Yvoire to Lausanne on
Tuesday 1st September Following lengthy "on the spot" repairs, she eventuallly arrived back at Lausanne approximately 0130 ! To allow her crew to take their mandatory break between duties, the smaller mv Ville-de-Genève covered her afternoon sailings 906-907 the following afternoon between her peak-hour Thonon-les-Bains ferry duties Do you have any further information about what was wrong ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
operated part of a two-ship Afternoon
Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach to Romanshorn on
Thursday 27th August
going out on mv Oesterreich
and returning with the paddle steamer In the evening PS Hohentwiel she also operatedan evening Dinner cruise from Romanshorn | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Neuchâtel
broke down at Neuchâtel
harbour before the start of service on
Tuesday 25th August resulting in her sailings having to be
covered by a motor vessel on both the
Tuesday and the
following Thursday Do you have any further information about what was wrong ? | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated an evening Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 15th August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp was originally planned to operate an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 14th August but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Montreux
broke down at Ouchy on
Sunday
2nd August She remained at Ouchy dock all day for repairs, so mv Général-Guisan was diverted to cover the afternoon sailings 906-907 then the small mv Lavaux ended up covering the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire She returned to service the following day Do you have any further information about what was wrong ? | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated the outward leg of an Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Rorschach to a "mystery" destination on Sunday 2nd August where passengers changed to return on mv Oesterreich | |||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day - Saturday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
|
In additional to the regular afternoon
timetabled sailings | |||||||||||||||||
|
Following the easing of the Corinavirus precautions,
Similar cruises from different locations were also operated on Saturdays 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| PS Concordia operated an evening "Classical Music Cruise from Como at 1800 on Saturday 25th July | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS La Suisse
broke down at Ouchy on
Wednesday 22nd
July so the small
mv Lavoux was quicky brought out to cover her three
"Upper Lake" round trip
sailings
200-201-202-203-204-205 She remained at Ouchy dock for repairs all the following day only this time her She returned to her usual sailings on the Friday Do you have any further information about what was wrong ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
To mark the completion of her major two year rebuild (actually November 2019),
the NLG arranged three "Open Days" at Peschiera to enable potential future passengers to have a
series of short guided tours round the ship ship on
Fridays 17th, 24th and
31st July Following the Coronavirus restrictions earlier in the year, the NLG have stated "unfortunately both Zanardelli and Italia, probably will not be in service this season" - so these dates may well end up being the only opportunity to go on board this year | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise at 1000 from Rorschach followed by an Afternoon Cruise from Arbon at 1430 on Thursday 16th July | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri operated an evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 11th July | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Zürich
operated the first of the new 2020 paddle steamer
Lunch Cruises from
Zurich at 1200 Her sister PS Stadt Rapperswil had her first turn the following day, afterwhich these were repeated every Tuesday to Friday throughout July and August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Piemonte was planned to operate an international charter sailing from Arona (Italy) to Locarno (Switzerland) and back on Saturday 27th June 2020 which was "open to the public" but these had to be postponed until 2021 due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)" To mark the achievement, both paddle steamers are planned to operate a special parade to the Obersee on Saturday 20th June (probably the only visit of 2020 as there are no longer any timetbled sailings) along with the former ZSG mv Etzel In addition the small SS Greif from Lake Greif is to be transported by road to join in the parade, but only sailing as far as Tiefenbrunnen | |||||||||||||||||
|
Despite the advertised timetable only requiring one paddle steamer
to be in service on any given day, both were unusually rostered to operate normal
timetabled services PS Stadt Zürich covered the regular afternoon sailings 111-112 whilst sister | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel was planned to operate the return leg of an Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Romanshorn to Friedrichshafen on Thursday 11th June with passengers sailing out on mv Oesterreich, but these had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
74th anniversary of the "Italian Republic" To mark the event PS Piemonte operated three days of four special "one hour cruises" from Stresa over the Whit Weekend - a 'fitting' tribute following the long period of "lockdown" in the area due to the Coronavirus pandemic | |||||||||||||||||
|
100th Birthday of PS Simplon
(1920-2020) To mark the 100 years of the paddle steamer, was planned to operate the timetabled sailings from Lausanne to the Upper Lake sailings 920-921-922-923-288-289 vice her sister PS La Suisse on Saturday 30th May and repeated on Sunday 31st May also Monday 1st June, but these had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
|
The Swiss "Federal Council today announced a
relaxation to the Coronavirus precautions meaning "Tourist" sailings on the lakes
can restart from Saturday 6th June (two days earlier than widely
predicted) In most cases the lake operating companies will commence sailings with a reduced level of service - details of which will apprea on this website as soon as the details are made public See the index to the left of this page for links to all the lakes - if it not there, then click here for it to be added | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
was planned to operate a morning
Jazz Cruise at 0930 from Arbon followed by an
Afternoon Cruise
at 1330 to Romanshorn on Sunday
3rd May going out on the paddle steamer and
returning with | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Hohentwiel
was planned to operate an evening
Dinner Cruise from Konstanz at | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel was planned to operate an Afternoon Cruise at 1330 from Romanshorn to Rorschach on Sunday 26th April going out on the paddle steamer and returning with mv Oesterreich, but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Hohentwiel was planned to operate an Afternoon Cruise from Konstanz to Meersburg at 1415 on Saturday 25th April, but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Uri was planned to operate an evening " Candlelight Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 18th April, but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| Easter Sunday 12th April | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Unterwalden was originally planned to operate an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 12th April, but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions | |||||||||||||||||
| Owing to morning fog, the planned morning "Niederhornexpress" sailings 111-112 by PS Blümlisalp to Beatenbucht and back had to be cancelled on New Year's Day | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Stadt Rapperswil
operated 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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
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
and continued until Tuesday 1st
October | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
- this time in windy conditions which caused suspension of some legs of the day's sailings between 1200 and 1440 | |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
| PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Friday 16th August | |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
 |
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 ? | ||||||||||||||||
|
PS Uri
operated the first of several weekly evening
Jazz cruises from Luzern at 1925 on
Friday
| |||||||||||||||||
| Swiss National Day - Thursday 1st August | |||||||||||||||||
| PS La Suisse operated evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
MPV Italie operated an
evening Fireworks
cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on
Wednesday
| |||||||||||||||||
|
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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS La Suisse
operated an evening
Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
MPV Italie
operated an evening
Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on
Saturday | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
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 ? | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
PS Neuchâtel operated a special
Lunch
Cruise from Lüscherz pier at 1315 on
Saturday 18th
May in conjunction with the | |||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||
|
Unfortunately, this sailing, along with most others on the lake, had to be cancelled due to exceptionally strong winds | |||||||||||||||||
|
Both | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
| none at present | |||
| Can you help? |
| Lake Brienz | Lake Como | Lake Garda | Lake Geneva | Lake Konstanz | Lake Luzern | Lake Maggiore | Lake Neuchâtel | Lake Thun | Lake Zurich | PS Fleets | Restore Frames |
21st November 2024
e-mail
(c)1999-2024
John B Bird