New season of River Bann cruises

“The Lady Sandel”, a fully-enclosed 60 seater waterbus, will run upstream and downstream cruises and special cruises

along the river.

The vessel and her skipper, Robert Anderson, recently featured in UTV’s “Hidden Heritage” series of programmes with Brian Black.

The cruises will commence on May Bank Holiday weekend with sailings on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 2pm and then operate every weekend until the beginning of July when daily sailings begin.

From July 1 until mid-August sailings will operate Tuesday to Friday at 3pm and at 2pm Saturdays and Sundays. There are no Monday sailings except for Bank Holidays.

From mid-August until the end of September weekend sailings will again operate at 2pm.

In addition to regular cruising opportunities the company has again planned an attractive series of “Special Cruises”. These include the very popular two hour “Friday Night Music Cruise” on July 2, 16 and 30 and August 13 when a variety of musical tastes, including 60s/70s and Country and Western, will be accompanied by a complimentary glass of wine (or soft drink)

The increasingly popular “Bird and Sealwatching Cruises” will run on June 12, July 13 and August 7 from 11am to 1pm with complimentary tea or coffee and biscuits. Seals and otters are now being seen frequently in the estuary.

For the younger children the “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” cruise will be held on July 25 from 11am to 1pm and the very exciting “Pirates Cruise” for the slightly older kids on August 21 between 11am and 1pm. These include activities, small gifts, snacks and drinks for all.

Two longer cruises to Kilrea’s Portneal Jetty are planned for May 28 and August 1. These three hour trips offer a unique view of the Bann between the two towns and can be booked for either the upstream or downstream segments.

The fare includes private coach transport back to the location of your car park. These cruises depart at 10am from Coleraine and 2pm from Kilrea.

All of the “Special Cruises” are restricted in numbers and have filled up rapidly in the past so to ensure your place they must be pre-booked and a small non-refundable deposit paid. River Bann Cruises Ltd. have endeavoured to maintain prices at last season’s levels where possible.

The vessel is also available for private charter to individuals, groups, businesses and organisations and can operate from a variety of locations. Catering may be organised through various outside caterers and Bann Cruises will be pleased to assist with arranging this.

The vessel may also be decorated for specific functions such as birthday or engagement parties or wedding groups by arrangement.

Full details of these and all cruises and prices can be found in a new brochure or by calling 077 9878 6955.

All sailings are subject to suitable river conditions and the Master’s decision is final.