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

** CANCELLED **

PS Montreux was originally planned to operate a special evening Dinner Cruise to the illuminated Château de Chillon from Montreux at 1830 on Saturday 18th December

PS Uri operated two special Advent Cruises from Luzern at 1430 and 1925 on Saturday 18th December

5th December 2004

MPV Vevey operated the final winter timetabled sailings 38-39 from Lausanne to the extreme head of the Upper Lake with time ashore at St Gingolph on Sunday 5th December
From the following weekend the motor paddle vessel only sailed as far as Château de Chillon pier and returned immediately to Lausanne

PS Montreux operated the first of three Sunday Christmas Lunch Cruises from Lausanne at 1200 to the Montreux Christmas Market on Sunday 5th December together with a short Mini-Cruise from Montreux depart 1410

26th November 2004

PS Uri operated a special winter evening Dampferfreunde Charter Cruise from Luzern at 1915 on Friday 26th November

12th November 2004

Unusually MPV Vevey operated some of the early-morning and evening Lausanne - Evian-les-Bains ferry sailings instead of the regular November ferry mv Lausanne on Friday 12th November

10th November 2004

Unusually PS Stadt Luzern operated the special Rütlischiessen sailing from Luzern at 0440 on Wednesday 10th November
Traditionally this annual sailing has been operated by a motor vessel since 1963

7th November 2004

According to local newspaper reports, Provincia di Como has officially rejected the offer to purchase PS Patria for one euro leaving here future back up 'in the air'
It is understood all restoration work has ceased
Any further information would be welcome

23rd October 2004

MPV Italia made a surprise appearance on Winter timetabled sailings in late October operating the full length sailings 2-5 from Peschiera (depart 0930) to Riva and return
She was observed in service daily between Tuesday 19th October and Saturday 23rd October
Are you aware of any other dates ?

16th October 2004

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening 'Fondue' Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Saturday 16th October

9th October 2004

As a result of mv Chablais entering Ouchy Dock early for her annual overhaul, PS Rhône unusually replaced her and operate weekend sailings from Lausanne to the Upper Lake commencing on Saturday 9th October until the end of the Autumn timetable on Sunday 31st October

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening 'Fondue' Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Saturday 9th October

2nd October 2004

PS Concordia operated sailings 20-45 on Saturday 2nd October instead of the regular motor vessel to mark the retirement of her Chief Engineer Luigi Quarenghi

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening 'Fondue' Cruise from Thun at 1910 on Saturday 2nd October

26th September 2004

PS La Suisse operated four 50 minute non-landing cruises from Geneva on Sunday 26th September - depart 1400, 1500, 1600 and 1700

PS Gallia operated the last sailing to to the small pier at Seedorf at the extreme end of the lake on Sunday 26th September 2004
From the 2005 timetable the limited sailings were restricted to motor vessels

25th September 2004

PS Rhône operated an evening 'Country music' cruise from Lausanne depart 2000 on Saturday 25th September

20th September 2004

MPV Italie operated a special evening cruise from Lausanne depart 1805 to the Upper Lake on Monday 20th September combined with her final "Rhône Express" sailing of 2004 from Geneva

11th September 2004

All lakes

Europäischer Tag des Denkmals - Saturday 11th September
(included Swiss historic transport in 2004)

In connection with the above and the CGN Ouchy works open-day, PS Montreux operated seven 30 minute non-landing cruises from Lausanne on Saturday 11th September - depart 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600
This arrangement was repeated the following day (Sunday 12th September)

PS Uri operated a special evening cruise from Flüelen depart 2015 on Saturday 11th September before returning light to Luzern

4th September 2004

It is understood MPV G Zanardelli operated the advertised all-day Regatta Cruise from Gargnano at 0830 on Saturday 4th September
Please e-mail me if you can confirm this sailing was be operated by the motor paddle vessel

3rd September 2004

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Interlaken at 1930 on Friday 3rd September

22nd August 2004

MPV Vevey took over the family brunch cruise from mv Lausanne last minute and it was combined with her regular lunch cruise sailing 116 from Geneva on Sunday 22nd August

7th August 2004

In additional to the normal timetabled sailings, PS Schiller PS Stadt Luzern and PS Uri operated evening fireworks cruises from Luzern at 1945 on Saturday 7th August around Luzern Bay for the annual fireworks display

Also PS Unterwalden operated sailings 29-36 vice the regular motor vessel

6th August 2004

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 2000 on Friday 6th August

1st August 2004

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Sunday 1st August

In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 63-64-69-70, PS Lötschberg operated an evening fireworks cruise from Interlaken depart 2030

In additional to the regular revised timetabled sailings PS Rhône operated an evening fireworks cruises from Lausanne depart 2010

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers sailed in convoy along with some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 2000 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display

In additional to the regular afternoon timetabled sailings 15-16 PS Blümlisalp took part in the annual evening naval parade from Thun at 2030 along with three motor vessels

In additional to the normal timetabled sailings PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening cruise from Zurich at 2015

27th July 2004

PS Unterwalden operated an evening cruise from Beckenried 1940 on Tuesday 27th July

23rd July 2004

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Interlaken at 1930 on Friday 23rd July

20th July 2004

PS Uri operated an evening cruise from Flüelen at 1940 on Tuesday 20th July

19th July 2004

MPV Vevey exchanged rosters with mv Lausanne for the peak four weeks of the season and operated the 2 Day Roster opposite PS Rhône commencing Monday 19th July leaving the local Geneva "Belle-Epoque" cruises to be operated by a motor vessel

16th July 2004

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 2000 on Friday 16th July

15th July 2004

PS Patria was finally was moved into Dervio dry-dock to start the first phase of her major re-build after lying idle for well over a decade
Ownership has been transferred to the Provincia di Como who have formed a new company registered as AVE Navigazione to initially manage the restoration work and ultimately the use of the paddle steamer

14th July 2004

PS Rhône operated an evening fireworks cruise from Lausanne depart 2010 on Wednesday 14th July - French National Holiday

3rd July 2004

PS Lötschberg operated a special 90th Birthday Parade on Saturday 3rd July along with the 50 year old mv Jungfrau (which had spent most of her earlier career on Lake Thun)

Both PS Stadt Zürich and PS Stadt Rapperswil operated evening Fireworks Cruises from Zurich on Saturday 3rd July

2nd July 2004

Both PS Stadt Zürich and PS Stadt Rapperswil operated evening Fireworks Cruises from Zurich on Friday 2nd July

30th June 2004

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Rorschach to Lindau at 1155 and 1450 on Wednesday 30th June

28th June 2004

In connection with the ZSG AGM PS Stadt Rapperswil made a rare paddle steamer public call at Zürich-Wollishofen pier at 1305 on Monday 28th June

26th June 2004

PS Concordia and seven motor vessels left Como at 2000 on an evening Fireworks cruise from Como to Isola Comacina where they were joined by two other motor vessels starting from other lake piers on Saturday 26th June

PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 1800 on Saturday 26th June to the Blues and Jazz Festival at Rapperswil

13th June 2004

Owing to exceptionally high water levels on Sunday 13th June PS Schiller (which was operating sailings 1013-1024 vice the usual PS Gallia) was unable to make the weekly call at Seedorf pier at the extreme head of the lake

11th June 2004

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Country-Rock Cruise from Interlaken at 1900 on Friday 11th June

6th June 2004

Owing to exceptionally high water levels on Sunday 6th June PS Unterwalden was unable to pass under the Acheregg road and railway bridge and her sailings to Alpnachstad were terminated at Stansstad - passengers continued their journeys on mv Flüelen
Anyone who prefered to remain on board was treated to an impromptu sailing round the bay of Horw - waters not normally served by any of the paddle steamers

4th June 2004

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Romanshorn at 1900 on Friday 4th June

2nd June 2004

Shortly after 1500 MPV G Zanardelli suffered a problem with one of her paddles leaving Bardolino on sailing 18 on Wednesday 2nd June
The motor paddle vessel lost 30 minutes on the leg to Garda but was able to continue her roster back to Desenzano

30th May 2004

PS Montreux operated a lunch cruise from Vevey at 1145 on Whit Sunday 30th May

PS Stadt Zürich re-entered public service after her winter re-build and operated the traditional two round trips from Zurich to Rapperswil at 0930 and 1430 on Whit Sunday 30th May

25th May 2004

PS Stadt Zürich re-entered service for the 2004 season following a major re-build over the previous winter with a special VIP Maiden Voyage leaving Zurich at 1115

Public sailings commenced on Whit Sunday 30th May

21st May 2004

PS Gallia broke down at Vitznau, approximately 30 minutes late. Her sailing 11 from Luzern to Fluelen sailing was terminated there with passengers later being transferred to mv Europa for a delayed onward fast sailing calling at just Beckenried and Brunnen arriving Flüelen two minutes ahead of schedule !
It is understood the paddle steamer initially stopped short of Weggis pier then twice between Weggis and Vitznau - it seems the piston rod of the high pressure cylinder on the paddle steamer had got too hot and there was a danger the oil could catch fire
It appears this is basically the same problem that happened to PS Schiller on Thursday 20th July shortly after she re-entered service in 2000
The paddle steamer limped back to Luzern works under her own steam at "dead-slow" speed for repairs and was back in service for the first sailing of 2004 to Seedorf on Sunday 23rd May

16th May 2004

PS Rhône damaged her stern at St-Prex pier on sailing 3 on Sunday 16th May but continued her sailing to Geneva
However, her normal 2 Day Roster sailings were still able to operate normally and overnight repairs were undertaken at Ouchy dock - presumably only alternate nights !

15th May 2004

PS Rhône operated an evening 'singles' cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Saturday 15th May

9th May 2004

PS Concordia completed her winter re-build and was re-launched during the afternoon of Saturday 17th April and subsequently was observed operating private charter sailings
The paddle steamer made her first timetabled sailing of 2004 on Sunday 9th May operating sailings 14-235 vice the regular mv A Volta which had a private charter

4th May 2004

PS Stadt Rapperswil finally operated her first timetabled sailings of 2004 on Tuesday 4th May departing Zurich on sailing 107 at 1130 vice the regular motor vessel
This was after serveral earlier planned sailings had been cancelled due to bad weather

1st May 2004

PS Gallia re-entered service for the 2004 season following a major two year re-build
A special parade by all the paddle steamers was arranged on Saturday 1st May to mark the event

In consequesce, all timetabled sailings were operated by motor vessels including the Wilhelm Tell Express

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Rorschach to Lindau at 1155 and 1450 on Saturday 1st May

25th April 2004

All lakes

Swiss Navigation Day
traditionally marks the start of excursion sailings (as opposed to ferry runs) on most of the main Swiss Lakes

This year there were no sailings by the paddle steamer - only motor vessels
PS Lötschberg did not re-enter service until Sunday 9th May

PS La Suisse and PS Rhône made their first public sailings of 2004 on Swiss Navigation Day vice the regular mv Général-Guisan and MPV Italie respectively - the latter had broken down the previous day
In addition, MPV Vevey operated the usual Geneva "lunch cruise"
Both paddle steamers were extremely well loaded, showing what happens when an attractive fare is offered !

Unfortunately the day was marred when a passenger fell from PS La Suisse and drowned in the lake off Villeneuve - in consequesnce the paddle steamer was nearly two hours late arriving back at Lausanne

In addition to the only advertised sailing at 1120 to Flüelen operated by PS Stadt Luzern PS Uri operated her usual Summer 0915 and 1520 sailings and PS Schiller operate the 1125 sailing to Stansstad followed by two afternoon trips to Küssnacht am Rigi at 1335 and 1545 vice the normal motor vessels on Sunday 25th April

PS Blümlisalp commenced operation for the 2004 season on Sunday 25th April with the regular sailings 15-16 from Thun at 1320

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the traditional five special one hour trips from Zurich at 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500 and 1630 on Sunday 25th April at a special price of just SF6 !

As PS Stadt Zürich was being re-built, it was necessary for all the regular timetabled sailings to be operated by motor vessels

24th April 2004

MPV Italie broke down on the morning of Saturday 24th April - in consequence the mid-week Evian ferry mv Léman covered sailings 51-56 thus making a very rare public visit to Geneva
The following day (Swiss Navigation Day), PS Rhône re-entered public service earlier than originally planned and covered sailings 28-29-51-56 before mv Chablais took over
The motor paddle vessel returned to service on Thursday 29th April

Easter 2004

All Lakes

Owing to very poor weather, only one Italian and three Swiss paddle steamers operated on just Lakes Garda, Geneva and Luzern
Plans to operate PS Stadt Rapperswil on Lake Zurich on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday were cancelled
In consequence there were no sailings by any paddle steamer on Lakes Brienz, Como, Konstanz, Maggiore, Thun or Zurich - the lowest turnout at Easter for many years

4th April 2004

MPV Italia entered service much earlier than expected on Sunday 4th April and operated the 1000 full-length sailings 2-5 from Peschiera to Riva and return
This was followed by several other Sundays and public holidays sailings during the spring timetable period

29th February 2004

*** New for 2004 ***
MPV Vevey operated winter sailings 122-123 - 1220 Geneva Jardin-Anglais to Nyon and 1415 return - on Sunday 29th February vice the regular motor vessel
This was the first time a paddle vessel had operated a winter timetabled sailing from Geneva since the 1930s and conveyed over 100 passengers
- can you confirm the date when this last happened ?
{understood to have been the winter of 1937/38}
The same arrangement also applied on all March Sundays

14th February 2004

MPV Vevey operated a special evening Valentines Cruise from Lausanne at 2000 on Saturday 14th February

19th January 2004