TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise From Queenstown

The TSS Earnslaw is a century-old coal-fired steamship that offers a unique Lake Wakatipu cruise experience from Queenstown. Passengers can explore the ship’s authentic engine room, admire the dramatic Central Otago landscapes, and enjoy a cozy café onboard. With a maximum capacity of 150 travelers, this intimate cruise showcases the region’s rich maritime history and natural beauty. Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or simply seeking a memorable adventure, the TSS Earnslaw cruise might just surprise you with what it has in store.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In Queenstown.

Key Points

• The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage Edwardian steamship that offers scenic cruises on the stunning Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand.
• Passengers can explore the ship’s authentic engine room and small museum to learn about its rich history as the last remaining coal-fired passenger steamer in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The cruise features stunning views of the dramatic Central Otago scenery, with a maximum capacity of 150 travelers for an intimate experience.
• Onboard amenities include a café serving snacks and drinks, as well as easy movement around the ship to discover its unique features.
• The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with service animals allowed, ensuring a wide range of visitors can enjoy the experience.

Overview of the TSS Earnslaw

The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage Edwardian steamship that offers scenic cruises on Lake Wakatipu, providing passengers with a glimpse into the region’s rich maritime history.

As the last remaining coal-fired passenger steamer in the Southern Hemisphere, the Earnslaw is powered by twin screw propellers, creating a unique and captivating experience.

Multiple sailings are available throughout the day from a central location in Queenstown, allowing visitors to explore the dramatic scenery and deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu at their leisure.

Whether it’s admiring the engine room or browsing the small museum in the forecastle, the Earnslaw’s cruise offers a truly immersive and historic journey.

Cruise Details and Experience

Passengers aboard the TSS Earnslaw can enjoy breathtaking views of Central Otago’s dramatic scenery, with Lake Wakatipu’s maximum depth of 1,250 feet (380 meters) visible from the ship.

Onboard, travelers can explore the ship’s engine room and a small museum in the forecastle, learning about the vessel’s storied history.

Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the cafe, allowing passengers to refuel during the scenic cruise.

With a maximum capacity of 150 travelers, the TSS Earnslaw offers an intimate and immersive experience, showcasing the region’s natural beauty and the engineering marvel that’s this historic coal-fired passenger steamer.

Onboard Activities and Amenities

Aside from taking in the breathtaking scenery, passengers can explore the ship’s engine room and a small museum in the forecastle, providing an opportunity to learn about the TSS Earnslaw’s storied history as the last remaining coal-fired passenger steamer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Onboard, a café serves up snacks and drinks for travelers to enjoy during the cruise.

With a maximum capacity of 150 passengers, the TSS Earnslaw offers an intimate experience, allowing guests to easily move around the ship and discover its unique features.

Whether it’s peering into the engine room or perusing the historic artifacts, the onboard activities and amenities enhance the overall Earnslaw experience on Lake Wakatipu.

Accessibility and Capacity Information

The TSS Earnslaw cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are allowed on board.

With a maximum capacity of 150 travelers per sailing, the vintage steamship offers an intimate experience for passengers to explore its historic features.

The accessibility of the cruise ensures that a wide range of visitors can enjoy the stunning lakeside scenery and the unique experience of sailing aboard a coal-fired passenger steamer.

Whether you’re traveling with mobility aids or furry companions, the TSS Earnslaw accommodates various needs to make the cruise an enjoyable and inclusive excursion for all.

The limited capacity also contributes to a more personalized and immersive journey on Lake Wakatipu.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Travelers have praised the TSS Earnslaw cruise for its stunning views, comfortable seating, and friendly staff, resulting in an average rating of 4.5 based on 209 reviews.

Passengers have highlighted the cruise’s ability to provide a unique and memorable experience, with many noting the beauty of Lake Wakatipu’s dramatic scenery.

While the majority of feedback has been positive, a few customers have mentioned the limited time for exploration at Walter Peak and isolated incidents of poor customer service.

However, these critiques appear to be the exception rather than the norm, and the overwhelming consensus is that the TSS Earnslaw cruise is a must-do activity for visitors to Queenstown.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

Travelers can easily book their TSS Earnslaw cruise with the option to reserve now and pay later, and they’re covered by a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Prices for the cruise start from $60.35, with a lowest price guarantee to ensure customers get the best deal.

When booking, travelers can select from multiple sailing times throughout the day to fit their schedule. The booking process is straightforward, and the cruise company offers flexible options to accommodate any changes in travel plans.

• Reserve your spot with a ‘reserve now, pay later’ option

• Cancel up to 24 hours before the cruise for a full refund

• Enjoy the lowest price guarantee on your TSS Earnslaw tickets

• Choose from a variety of sailing times to suit your itinerary

Getting to the Cruise Departure

Guests can conveniently access the TSS Earnslaw cruise departure point, located at 88 Beach Street in the heart of Queenstown. The centralized location is just a short walk from many Queenstown hotels and attractions.

Visitors should plan to arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time to allow for check-in and boarding. The cruise terminal is easily accessible by foot, with ample public parking nearby for those driving to the area.

Once at the departure point, guests can look forward to a seamless embarkation process before setting sail on the vintage Earnslaw steamship for their scenic journey across Lake Wakatipu.

Unique Features of the Steamship

The TSS Earnslaw’s status as the last remaining coal-fired passenger steamer in the Southern Hemisphere lends it a unique historical charm, inviting guests to step back in time and witness the ship’s powerful twin screw propellers in action.

This vintage Edwardian steamship captivates visitors with its authentic engine room, where they can observe the stokers shoveling coal into the boilers to produce the steam that drives the ship.

Guests can also explore the ship’s small museum in the forecastle, uncovering the vessel’s rich history.

Onboard, the cozy café offers a chance to refuel with snacks and drinks, heightening the immersive experience of sailing aboard this remarkable relic of the past.

• Authentic coal-fired twin screw propellers

• Historic engine room with active stokers

• Onboard museum showcasing the vessel’s history

• Café serving refreshments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks Onboard?

Passengers can bring their own food and drinks onboard. However, the cruise line provides a café offering snacks and beverages for purchase, which may be more convenient during the sailing.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Children?

The TSS Earnslaw cruise offers discounted tickets for seniors and children. Seniors receive a 10% discount, while children under 15 can purchase tickets at a reduced rate. Advance booking is recommended to secure these discounted fares.

How Long Does the Cruise Typically Last?

The cruise typically lasts around 1.5 hours. According to the overview, multiple sailings are available throughout the day, allowing visitors to experience the scenic lake journey aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship.

Is There Any Live Entertainment or Commentary During the Cruise?

The cruise features live commentary from the crew, providing insights into the vessel’s history and the surrounding scenery. While there’s no live entertainment, passengers can explore the engine room and a small museum onboard.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photography or Videography During the Cruise?

Passengers are generally free to take photos and videos throughout the cruise, though the crew may request they avoid disturbing others or interfering with the ship’s operations. Reasonable restrictions may apply in certain areas for safety or preservation reasons.

Recap

The TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Steamship Cruise provides a captivating journey through Central Otago’s stunning landscapes aboard a historic coal-fired passenger steamer.

Passengers can explore the ship’s authentic engine room, enjoy the intimate atmosphere, and savor refreshments in the cozy café.

This experience offers an unforgettable showcase of the region’s natural beauty and maritime heritage.