Sixty Whanganui children were treated to a special trip on the PS Waimarie on Friday.
The historic paddle steamer took the pupils from Castlecliff, Aranui, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho, Keith St and Okoia schools on a one-hour educational cruise.
Nicki Higgie from the Waimarie said funding had been received from the Thomas George Macarthy Trust to allow the students - plus another 60 next week - to take the trip.
In all, the pupils spent two hours at the Waimarie, starting with a welcome and safety briefing by the captain on shore.
During the cruise they learned about the history of the vessel, the relative wind angle (RWA) when sailing, the riverboat era, surrounding on-shore sites, the Waimarie homing pigeons, and more.