What could be more magical than cruising through the lovely twilight sunset along Sungai Sarawak on board the Sarawak River Cruise on your special day? In addition to watching the spectacular sight of reds, oranges, yellows, and violets in the sky as the sun sets over the body of water, you can also enjoy the light, fresh, cool river breeze with your favourite people, music, and drinks.
Breathtaking sights, good food, memorable moments
The one-hour, 30-minute Sarawak River Cruise, which departs every day at 5.30pm from the Kuching Waterfront jetty, is the ideal opportunity to take in a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the city’s skyline and the historical landmarks that line the Sarawak Riverbank.
According to Yung Chung Nguong, general manager of SR Equatorial Sdn Bhd, a firm that manages the Sarawak River Cruise, the company was founded on May 5, 2015, with the intention of promoting marine tourism in the region, particularly for Asians who have little time to take long-distance holidays.
“Our vessel, the MV Equatorial, was built in the year 1990 and has been cruising the Sungai Sarawak ever since. Over the past 30 years, the vessel branded the Sarawak River Cruise has offered tourists and locals alike a rich panoramic view of the city and its famous landmarks.
“Since our inception, we have been actively promoting the Sarawak River Cruise to government offices, tour and travel agencies, organisations, groups, companies, holidaymakers, families, and others, who are becoming more receptive to the new trend of the “cruise and dine” lifestyle.
“This ship is 36 metres long, six metres wide, and has two decks (approximately 20 feet high), with a capacity for 130 passengers.
“The lower deck is a fully air-conditioned dining lounge, while the upper deck is an open-air space for passengers to watch the view of the spectacular orange horizon while enjoying the cool river breeze,” he said.
When describing the onboard facilities, he stated they included a colonial bar on the mariner deck, a completely air-conditioned mariner deck, a projector screen and PA system, a karaoke set, barbecue facilities on the sky deck, and both male and female washrooms.
Additionally, upon request, themed and customised parties or functions, as well as cultural performances, may be made available.
Elaborating, Yung also noted that as passengers’ safety is their priority, they have provided eight lifebuoys, 140 lifejackets, six fire extinguishers, first aid kits, two sets of fire hydrant systems, and one navigation light.
“The ship is also inspected yearly by a Marine Department officer, and we will conduct maintenance dry docking every two years.”
“Sarawak River Cruise has a valid river transport permit from the Sarawak River Board and a valid boat licence from the Marine Department,” he explained.
Speaking of challenges, Yung remarked that, other than the COVID-19 pandemic, which had an impact on the company’s operations, he and his team members, thus far, have not faced any big issues, thanks to their strong teamwork.
He claimed that one of the constant difficulties they experience is the weather, which is unavoidably out of their control.
“Our clients won’t be able to take in the breathtaking sunset while cruising the Sungai Sarawak if it is raining.
“It is advisable for passengers to bring an umbrella or a raincoat to walk down from the Waterfront jetty to the boat.
“In addition, since there is free seating during the Signature Sunset Cruise, passengers are free to roam around the boat during the cruise, except into restricted areas,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune.
He continued by explaining that late passengers’ tickets are not refundable because the ship won’t wait for them.
According to Yung, customers can present themselves to the ticketing staff and inform them of the situation, and the tickets can be carried forward to another more convenient date.
“In case the customers want to reschedule their bookings, they can call 082-240366 or 012-8875822. Rescheduling is subject to seat availability on the preferred date, and fees of RM10 will be charged for each reschedule request,” he said.
When asked how the public, government agencies, private sectors, and others have responded to the Sarawak River Cruise, he said the response has been very encouraging; apart from their normal sunset cruise, 40 per cent of the company’s revenues come from dinners and events for individuals and private and government agencies.
“The state government has carried out a number of programmes onboard our ship over the past year, among them Raja Permaisuri Agong’s scenic cruise down Sungai Sarawak.
“Apart from that, beauty queens of the Miss Tourism International pageant also board our ship to enjoy their sunset cruise dinner,” he said.
He added that for ticketing matters, the public can walk-in to their counter at Kuching Waterfront or visit www.ticket2u.com.my to get tickets online.
The online ticketing platform, Ticket2u, will close three days in advance (from the date the customer purchases the ticket), he noted.
“For the Signature Sunset Cruise, the ticket price is RM70 for adults (13 years old and above) and RM35 for children (5 to 12 years old), while the cost of the one-hour Sightseeing Cruise, which departs at 3pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, is RM50 for adults and RM30 for children.
“Tickets include free flow orange drinks and live commentary, as well as traditional Sarawak layered cakes (kek lapis). For the Sunset Cruise, there will be an additional cultural performance,” said Yung.
Meanwhile, as Valentine’s Day draws near, the Sarawak River Cruise is offering a candlelight dinner from 8pm to 10pm for RM480 per couple, with a free polaroid photo as well as a stalk of roses, in addition to live band performances.
You will be served a starter of Mushroom Soup with Garlic Bread, followed by an entree of either two glasses of wine or one bottle of sparkling juice, and a choice of either Grilled Chicken Chop with Creamy Mushroom Sauce served with Honeydew Prawn Salad and Mashed Potato, Fish and Chips served with Honeydew Prawn Salad or Grilled Salmon Aglio Olio as a main course, orange cordial, coffee or tea, and two slices of cake as dessert while you take in the romantic sunset view.
For those who missed Valentine’s Day, don’t worry because Sarawak River Cruise also offers a Romantic Dinner Sunset Cruise daily for RM370 per couple.
There are also a number of additional events, such as birthdays with a price as low as RM230 for two pax, buffet dinners (as low as RM92 per pax), hi tea (RM249 for three pax), as well as other promotional events.
Along with offering sightseeing cruises along Sungai Sarawak, the ship doubles as a fun location for events including parties, weddings, seminars, and other social gatherings.
“The Sarawak River Cruise is a fantastic way to cruise down the historic memory lane that is Sungai Sarawak.
“The Astana, which dates back to 1870, the Brooke Dockyard (1912), the State Mosque (1847), the Old Court House (1874), the Square Tower (1879), the Main Bazaar (1864), the Chinese Museum (1912), the Fort Margherita (1879), and the Malay villages along the riverbanks are just a few of the historical landmarks you’ll pass on our route.
“On some days, you might enjoy seeing the young villagers jump from treetops and splash down the river while excitedly shouting and waving at you.
“A cruise on the Sarawak River is definitely one of the best ways to explore the city — not to mention the beautiful sunset that makes for a gorgeous backdrop to your journey,” explained the SR Equatorial Sdn Bhd general manager.
Reflecting back to when the writer first began working as a reporter for the New Sarawak Tribune, she was invited by a wedding planner to witness a Malay wedding ceremony aboard the Sarawak River Cruise.
It started with an engagement ceremony, followed by the akad nikah and wedding reception. For their engagement and akad nikah ceremonies, the newlyweds donned light blue traditional Malay costumes and later changed into white modern suit-and-dress costumes.
The stunning, clear blue sky backdrop accompanied by the soothing river breeze, of course, along with great food while enjoying the attractive and interesting sights along Sungai Sarawak, added to the joy of the memorable event.
The writer feels extremely fortunate for the opportunity and once again thanks Musa Leman for his invitation — it was the writer’s first experience boarding such a boat and seeing Kuching from a whole new perspective, as few ever did.
For the writer, cruising down Sungai Sarawak onboard the Sarawak River Cruise is indeed a luxurious and pleasurable cruising experience in a haven of privacy, tranquility, and relaxation away from the excitement of the city.
It is hoped that SR Equatorial Sdn Bhd will continue to do excellent work while also adding value to the services offered.
