Shannon Princess barge

The 10-passenger ship Shannon Princess is the only luxury hotel barge cruising Ireland's waterways.

The barge cruises on the Shannon River between Lough Ree and Killaloe. Dublin is the departure port/homeport from where passengers are transported to the boat. This arrangement allows guests to add a hotel stay in Ireland's capital city and make the most of their travel holiday.

In January 2025, European Waterways acquired the vessel from its original owners, Ruairi and Olivia Gibbons.

Decks and Cabins

Shannon Princess ship's five staterooms are all the same size (131 ft2 / 12 m2).

Each passenger cabin has twin beds (convertible to a double), individual heat control, spacious closets, en-suite bathroom, and bedside tables with lamps. All beds are dressed in premium Irish linen. Arriving travelers find bottled water and chocolates waiting in their cabins. Cabin bathrooms feature white tiles and stainless-steel fittings. Other amenities include towels, robes, hairdryers, soap, shower caps, shower gel, and shampoo.

The boat has 2 decks, of which the lower deck contains the cabins.

Shipboard facilities

The barge's beautifully designed interiors feature panoramic windows, allowing guests to enjoy the passing scenery. The riverboat has a comfortable saloon, bar, and dining area. The barge also features a full-length rooftop sun deck - a perfect spot for relaxing or enjoying a pre-dinner drink.

All meals are served in a single seating, with buffet-style breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is Continental and includes bread, fruit, cereal, coffee, and tea. A full Irish breakfast is served upon request. Lunch is a light buffet with salads, bread, cheeses, and pate or fish. The midday meal is sometimes served as a picnic ashore and occasionally as a three-course meal.

• Shannon Princess cruise deals are priced in two categories - "value season" (April) and "regular season" (May through September). Ticket prices per person (double occupancy) range between USD 4400 and USD 5000. Single supplement rates (for solo travelers) range between USD 1500 and USD 1700. The ship can also be booked as a full charter, with pricing depending on the number of guests - between USD 37100 (6 passengers) and USD 47000 (10 passengers).
• Themed cruises on Shannon Princess are offered as: "Irish Artisan" (no supplement), "Family" (full charter only, no supplement), "Golf" (USD 900 supplement per player, deals include transfers to the golf courses), and "Walking" (full charter only, no supplement, deals include daily tours with a professional guide).

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.