St Lucie River Boat Cruise
Looking for a scenic trip back to old Florida?
Try our St. Lucie River boat tour cruise. This cruise offers a beautifully peaceful excursion up the Saint Lucie River where you will enjoy the serenity of the river and experience what it was like before the building boom of the 1970s as we wind by old cypress trees strewn with
When travelling the river, we frequently see White Storks, Egrets, Osprey as well as Otters, Alligators and Manatee. There is one area on the river that is a bird sanctuary where you can see White Storks and Pelicans roosting in the mangroves.
Our river cruise starts on the wide portion of the St. Lucie river a continues North as the river serpentines through Port Saint Lucie.
Depending on the length of your trip and how you would like us to customize your experience, we are capable of navigating the river up to the Airoso bridge where our height prohibits us from getting under the bridge.
The St. Lucie river boat tour winds through areas of nature while sporadically passing by some of the most beautiful homes in the county.
This trip is Captain Daves favorite due to the fact that when he was considering purchasing a home in the area back in the early 2000s, his friend took him on a boat trip up the river and that was instrumental in his decision to live in the area.
Perfect For Allmarried Or Single Young Or Oldnight Owl Or Early Bird
SUNDAY SCENIC MUSIC CRUISE
Gather with your friends and family on a relaxing scenic cruise aboard the Indian River Queen. Passengers will enjoy Live Music, beautiful scenery and wonderful views as they cruise majestically along the Indian River Lagoon. A great excursion for all ages!
The Indian River Lagoon is one of the world’s most diverse Eco-systems and home to herds of manatees, playful bottle-nosed dolphin as well as a variety of coastal birds. Our knowledgeable crew will be delighted to answer any of your questions.
BOARDING 2:00pmCHILD: $25 pp+
THIS 2 HOUR CRUISE INCLUDES:Live Music
Full Service Cash Bar*
Snacks & Riverboat Hot Dogs available for purchase
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to our liquor license, passengers are NOT permitted to bring alcohol on board or off the vessel.
PRIVATE PARTIES
This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate birthday parties, anniversaries, small weddings and other special occasions. Book a private party in the Queens Room during this public event. The Queens Room is an enclosed air-conditioned dining room with large windows to enjoy the views, a full service bar, catering, restrooms and room to dance. Catered food service and entertainment can be provided for your private party. This is the perfect opportunity for groups of 20-100 guests to party on the Queen without having to charter the entire boat. The Queens Room will be restricted to passengers in the private party during public scenic cruises.
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Whats It Like Being On Overnight Cruises
On a cruise with an overnight stay, youll feel as if youre spending the night in a luxurious floating hotel. You can come and go as you please throughout the evening.
At your overnight port stops, you can go sightseeing during the day, come back to the ship to change and relax, and then head back out and enjoy the citys restaurants and nightlife.
You can also spend the day exploring the port, come back for dinner in one of our onboard restaurants, then head back out into the city to enjoy a night excursion or a cocktail.
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Ages Of Cruise Guests On An Ocean Cruise Vs River Cruise
We’ve often been asked if we are the youngest people on river cruises we sailed on. And we’ve been asked if we were the only people without children on the Disney Cruise Line sailing we were on too.
The answer is noand no. We weren’t the youngest people on our river cruise and we weren’t the only people without kids on DCL.
While we don’t think anyone should make vast generalizations about this sort of thing, we understand why they’re asking.
Essentially the underlying questions are perhaps more like, Is a river cruise accommodating to an under 60 audience? And, Does Disney Cruise Line have any adult-exclusive activities?
River cruises may tend to skew a bit older though it’s changing a bit, little by little, as word gets out about how great they are. And ocean cruises are really across the board inclusive of all ages.
We’ve found any customer service-based industry wants to please their customers, overall. So we like to think there is something for everyone no matter the ship.
Manatees And More On St Johns
One of the highpoints of a winter visit to Florida is a chance to see an endangered manatee in the wild. One of the best spots to do that is Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. When the weather is cold the clear spring can attract hundreds of manatees. TheSt. Johns River Cruise leaves from the park and it specializes in helping you spot wildlife not just manatees but also alligators bald eagles osprey herons egrets sandhill cranes limpkin ibis purple gallinules and more. The two-hour cruise winds through shallow areas of the unspoiled river and even when wildlife is scarce the guide offers lots of history and information about the area. Tickets are $22 for adults $16 for children. There are three trips a day in winter
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Cruise Through Tarpon Springs To A Dazzling Island
As early as 1890 Greeks came to Tarpon Springs to dive for sponges. The sponges are long gone but the Greek heritage lives on. One of the best things to do from the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks is take a boat tour that offers several delights: You tour the Anclote River and hear a little Tarpon Springs history you gaze on the Gulf waters and spot dolphins you get a short stop on Anclote Key a pristine white-sand barrier island reachable only by boat. Anclote Key is a state park with an 1887 lighthouse. These Florida boat tours give visitors a half hour to enjoy Anclotes perfect sandy beaches and do not include visiting the lighthouse. There are two boat companies that operate cruises to Anclote from the Sponge Docks: SunLine Cruises and Sponge-O-Rama
Main Embarkation And Debarkation With A River Vs Ocean Cruise
There’s more pomp and circumstance when it comes to boarding an ocean cruise ship. From leaving your luggage with appropriate cabin number tags on them, curbside, before you even get to the terminal. To scanning documents within the terminal. To waiting until your boarding group number is calledthere are a lot of procedures and paperwork to get through to get onboard the ship. They are moving thousands of guests, after all .
A river cruise ship seems like a piece of cake when it comes to boarding! We literally just walk onto the ship and check-in at the front desk. Of course, we have already sent paperwork in at this point with information like our passport numbers and have to give that information to the staff once we board the ship.
But it’s a lot less cumbersome than on an ocean cruise. And boarding the ship is much more immediate with only about 200 or so guests who have to check-in.
Here are two photos of what we saw when we walked onto a cruise ship versus a river cruise, aboard the Emerald Cruises ship, Emerald Sky. A vast difference!
When you have to leave your river cruise, as you can expect, it’s a piece of cake on a river cruise. You simply let them know you’re leaving and you walk off with your luggage.
An ocean cruise is much more involved, of course.
here was no Global Entry back into the country at the terminal. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like airports or we would have potentially breezed through much quicker.
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Cabins And Staterooms On River Vs Ocean Cruises
Stateroom designs vary so much from ship to ship no matter if it’s a river or ocean cruise. So we’ll simply say that it’s very common to have more space on a stateroom on an ocean cruise ship.
Additionally, you can pay for an upgrade on an ocean cruise to have a balcony or save money by having an interior stateroom without a window. Yet on river cruises, all rooms face outward and commonly have a balcony. Because the ship is small and narrow there are no interior staterooms or cabins on river cruise ships.
The top two photos above are aboard the Disney Dream, with Disney Cruise Line. The bottom two are from river cruise ships, the Emerald Sky with Emerald Cruises and Viking Alta, with Viking, respectively.
Find Serenity In Central Floridas Winter Park
Long before Mickey Mouse came to Orlando folks were enjoying . The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours started taking visitors through the lakes and canals of the Winter Park chain in 1938. On the tour you see lushly landscaped lakefront estates and ride through narrow canals. Youll see boaters wading birds and the occasional alligator. Tour guides offer lots of stories about local history and the people who lived in the mansions plus a few corny jokes. The 18-passenger open-air pontoon boats provide a friendly intimate tour. Be sure to bring hats and sunscreen. Tours leave hourly and accept cash only — $12 adults $6 children.
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Hop On/hop Off A Water Taxi
One of the best ways to get out on the water in the picturesque Halifax River and Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach is by water taxi on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. This isnt a formal tour instead the water taxi allows for a customized do-it-yourself tour. It follows a two-hour-and-15-minute route with five stops. You can get on and off for meals or sightseeing including the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse the Marine Science Center plus many waterfront restaurants shops and galleries. You can bring your own food or drinks and enjoy a picnic while you watch for dolphins and see the New Smyrna area from the water. Click on the hyperlink to learn more about theNew Smyrna Water Taxi Express. Miami Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale are also served by an extensive water taxi system. An all-day pass is $20. There are 10 stops in Fort Lauderdale taking you to all the key visitor spots.
Mississippi Riverboat Cruising Isn’t Dead But It Sure Ain’t Healthy
How’s this for a metaphor for our current economic times: Trade on America’s greatest commercial river has all but come to a halt. For perhaps the first time since the early 19th century, there are no river ships offering full-service overnight cruises on the Mississippi or its tributaries — and no one is jumping in to fill the void.
The big blow, of course, came with the shuttering of Majestic America Line this past November. By itself, that company accounted for approximately 85% of the overnight river cruise trade on the entire Mississippi River system, which encompasses not just the Mississippi itself but also the Atchafalaya, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. A further blow came one month later when RiverBarge Excursions, operator of the 198-passenger barge vessel River Explorer, announced it was closing up shop due to low demand and rising costs.
Majestic America’s end was particularly troubling because of its history. Though it was formed little more than two years ago, it was a successor entity to two other steamboat operators, America West Steamboat Company and the fabled Delta Queen Steamboat Company, which traced its history back to 1890 and had as its flagship the great Delta Queen, a vintage 1927 paddle-wheeler that for decades was the only wooden riverboat left on the Mississippi.
Lesser Options on America’s Greatest River
Talk with fellow Frommer’s cruisers on our Cruise Message Boards.
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Be Like Bogie On The African Queen
You cant do this anywhere else: The African Queen boat – the actual steamboat used in the 1951 movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn – has been beautifully restored to take visitors on Key Largo cruises. Cruises are pricey best for true fans yearning to sit exactly where Hepburn and Bogart did but intimate. The boat is licensed to hold six passengers at a time. The 90-minute canal cruise is $49 and leaves at 10 a.m. noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights there is a two-hour canal cruise that includes a three-course dinner at the Pilot House Restaurant and Marina.
Welcome Aboard The Island Princess
Relax and enjoy the splendors of Stuart, FL voted Americas Happiest Seaside town by Coastal Living. Watch the scenery on one of our many scheduled boat tours from the comfort of the enclosed, air-conditioned main salon or the open-air upper deck of the sleek Island Princess. As we cruise the calm waters, watch for dolphins, manatees, pelicans, blue herons and egrets in their natural habitat.
This is the beginning of an adventure for the whole family. As you cruise the calm waters of Floridas Intracoastal Waterway, the captains narration brings history to life. Learn tidbits about Stuarts famous residents as you cruise by their homes, and become acquainted with many bird sanctuaries, spoil islands, and other points of interest along the way.
The Island Princess offers scheduled sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, sunset cruises, booze cruises and also private charters on the St. Lucie River, the Indian River, and the Jupiter Sound. All cruises depart from Pirates Cove Resort and Marina. Cruise with us today the best views of Stuart are from the water!
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Spas On River Cruises And Ocean Cruise Ships
River cruise ships may have one to two treatment rooms where guests can enjoy a massage or facial. There may just be one Esthetician on board, whose talents run the gamut of spa treatments. Not only can she perform facials but she’s a masseuse as well! She’s trained in a few areas of spa beauty because the small area of a river cruise ship doesn’t allow for a huge team. Rather, one person needs to accommodate all treatments that guests can sign up for.
Yet on ocean cruises, there are usually several treatment rooms and entire teams of specialists who can give you all the treatments you desireand then some. This may include facials, seaweed wraps, acupuncture, bamboo or hot stone massages, and more.
Ocean cruises may even have a special thermal suite area, like The Enclave on Princess Cruises.
River cruise ships sometimes have a beauty lounge if you want to get your hair or nails done. On the other hand, huge ocean cruise ships almost always have this option. Some even have onboard barbers for men if you want a close shave or haircut.
Talk To Our Event Planners +13213054753
LIMITED AVAILABILITY …Dont miss the boat!To book a PRIVATE CHARTER call 302-0544 to speak directly to Penny, the Queens Event & Wedding Planner. PLEASE NOTE OUR REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY: 24 hours notice is required for all cancellations in order to receive a full refund.
MAGICAL CRUISES – PERFECT FOR ALL
DINNER SHOW CRUISE
The Indian River Queen cruises on Florida’s gentle intracoastal waterway, which is also part of the Indian River Lagoon, one of the worlds most diverse ecosystems and estuaries. Meet new friends with our cruise ship style dining in the Queen’s room or find a private table on the outside decks. This is a wonderful opportunity for small celebrations and gatherings. The Queen’s party and event planners will be happy to reserve seating for groups or parties of 6 or more. This public cruise is only available once a month due to the Queen’s busy private charter service – available for corporate events, weddings and reunions. This special public dinner cruise is limited to 85 passengers. Advance reservations are required.
BOARDING 6:30pm
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The Currents And Terrain Of An Ocean Vs River Cruise
A river cruise is built differently to aptly deal with the terrain. And of course, rivers are calmer and somewhat more predictable than oceans.
Another point to bring up is docking and sailing. Here are two things to be aware of :
- Ocean cruises sometimes arent able to dock at a port. Its usually due to extreme wind or currents, which makes pulling into the port and docking unsafe.
- River cruises sometimes cant sail at all due to low tides and the low water levels. When this happens the river cruise companies will bus guests between ports so everyone is able to enjoy the itinerary and still have meals and sleep on the ship until the water level rises and it can sail again.
River Cruise Vs Ocean Cruise Beverages
Beer and wine are usually included with the cost of a river cruise, during lunch and dinner.
Purchasing alcoholic beverages outside of lunch and dinner may be additional, like it was on Emerald Cruises, whether you opt into an alcohol package or pay per glass outside of meals. Viking also has a Silver Spirits Package upgrade you can purchase. Some cruise lines, like Scenic and Uniworld, include all beverages.
Some ocean cruises include things like soft drinks on certain decks but not at meals. This is the case with Deck 11s soda machines on Disney Cruise Line. But not every cruise line offers this. Be sure to ask about drink specials either a Drink of the Day or drinks packages offered for the cruise duration. We noticed beer specials on Disney Cruise Line: if you paid into a plan ahead of time for 12 beers, for instance you saved a bit of money.
Policies and costs vary by cruise line, whether river or ocean, so its best to check with your desired cruise company for their beverages offerings and policies.
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