rivership romance cruise sanford fl

St Johns Rivership Company

Review Highlights

“ My husband and I were looking for an ideal place to celebrate our birthdays and we got that place in Barbara Lee . ” in 10 reviews

“ Took the lunch cruise last Saturday and we were most impressed with the service, the food and the entertainment. ” in 8 reviews

“ We loved the prime rib , potatoes, sweet praline roll, red velvet cake, chicken marsala and chicken parmesan. ” in 23 reviews

Location & Hours

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433 N Palmetto Ave

Sanford, FL 32771

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Amenities and More

About the business.

The Rivership Romance offers scenic dining cruises on the beautiful St. Johns River. A great freshly prepared menu, live entertainment, full bar and relaxation await you. Great location for family outing, group events club outing, corporate events, weddings, date nights, sunday brunch and just relaxing. …

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Just came back from the inaugural ecotour and it was wonderful! We saw plenty of gators and birds (both wading and raptors) and there was even a manatee seen (it's April!) The BEST part was the tour guide John...outstanding.

Tour guide John explaining about the different habitats we see here on tour and throughout Florida.

On the first Friday of every month, they do a Rockin on the River Cruise, which I would definitely call a booze cruise! They had a decent band playing 90's rock music, and some extremely reasonable beer prices! "Bar food" is available for purchase as well, with a choice of a few sandwiches, nachos, wings, etc. You take an hour long trip down the St. John's river and then you turn around and come home. The doors open an hour before launch, and the band started playing about 1/2 hour before the boat left the dock, so you had entertainment the whole trip plus. This was a really fun way to spend a Friday night, and I am convinced I will do this at least a few times a year moving forward.

The Pirates and Mermaids event they put on was absolutely worth doing if you have kids. My daughter and friends kids had the best time! They got to do a treasure hunt, coloring contest, meet a mermaid and pirate and dance. The staff was so catering and went above and beyond to even help my daughter find some treasures. They gave everybody cool prizes, but the hit of the ship was the mermaid she was beautiful and really did a great job with the kids. We will definitely be back!

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Super surprised at all the great reviews regarding food. Being out on the water is definitely the nicest part. But lunch is around $70 pp and for that price prime rib should not be paper thin with lots of fat. In fact, it was bordering on lunch meat thin. There is a fruit and veggie tray on each table upon arrival. The fruit and veggies looked unappetizing/very dry, like it was sitting out for quite some time. Lots of birthday parties on ship .. I'd say mostly 50 plus crowd as far as birthdays. Overall, worth checking out if you have out of town older guests or need something to do with a group including kids but just know you aren't getting $70-85 dollars worth quality food in my opinion .

This is an obscure little treasure in Sanford. This is our second lunch cruise & won't be our last. It's a "Three hour tour" that ends much better than the old Gilligan 's Island one! Honestly I think the appetizer could've been a little more thought out. But the sticky buns and the prime rib were excellent. They had a choice of salmon, chicken, veggie lasagna, or prime rib. The wait staff was great as was the bartender. We enjoyed the variety of live music coming from the stage. If you want To show yout out-of -town -guests, that Orlando is more than the mouse, this is a lovely way to do it. Lots of history and good information about the river.

Pleasantly surprised! I probably would not have made these reservations on my own accord but I was invited for a retirement celebration for a very young spirited retiree. We did the 3 hr lunch cruise that boards at 10:30am and let me just say no one ready to leave! There was fresh fruit, crudités, and sticky buns on the table as soon as we boarded, a full bar, and I'd say a pretty lengthy list of entrée options. The boat has live entertainment and a lot of deck space to enjoy the scenic trip between snacks and the salad course. Once that caesar hits the table though it full steam ahead. The meal and dessert is served pretty quickly. I ordered the salmon with a lemon butter sauce, subbed rice for mashed red skin potatoes, and green beans. All of it was surprisingly tasty and the service was notable. After lunch we had some time to dance and party as we returned the dock. Everyone in our party was very complimentary and we all had a good time. This definitely a great choice for this type of activity and that's why I gave it four stars.

Went here to celebrate my friends birthday. It's pricey for what you get. $85pp and you get a tiny, overdressed salad, rolls and shrimp. We don't eat shrimp and there was no substitute. we got the prime rib and it was PAPER THIN and needed seasoning. The mashed potatoes were under seasoned. The entree is the only thing you get to choose. Dessert was a red velvet sheet cake slice and one of our had a HAIR in it. So nobody ate their dessert. They should really be considerate to other guests by NOT OVER SERVING alcohol to guests that are clearly intoxicated and causing a scene. There was a rowdy table terrorizing the waitress calling her "racy lacy" because they liked her bottom.. they were a group of men who weren't even considerate to their dates. One of them kept snatching his date by a handful of her hair and attempting to gyrate in her face. She was not enthused. At one point, the man singing as part of the entertainment told another rowdy guest to "shut up". It really dampens the mood for others on board. At the end of the night, they really drill it home that your $85pp doesn't include a tip and that you need to tip before you leave. Which was just tacky, it was already $85pp and if you can't pay a wage to your workers off of $85 a head, there's an issue on your end. I also took note that there didn't seem to be any wheelchair accessibility. All of the thresholds on board had large step ups and thin passageways, nobody in a wheelchair would be able to fit. Definitely overpriced and we will not be back. Nor do we recommend it.

Thin prime rib. This meal is not $85 worthy. More like $25

The lunch cruise is definitely a must try! Without a doubt enjoyed the sticky buns (too good to not dig in at first site), the staff, and the overall experience. Started the cruise with some light appetizers (fruits, veggies, sticky buns), got to roam the different levels on the ship, and then enjoyed a very appetizing meal! The meal consisted of a salad, entree of your choice, and dessert! The food was then followed up with some nice live music entertainment and the floor was open for anybody to dance. Food portions were appropriate especially due to all the food given throughout the ride. Also, do try the cocktails, my favorite was the blue mermaid

Teriyaki glazed salmon

What a fun local river cruise on the St. John's River! The boat is located right next to the Sanford river walk area. There is a parking lot right next to the ship but i ended up down the street in an open lot due to lack of space. Parking is free, which is great! I went with a large group for a dinner cruise and really enjoyed it! Everything was extremely well organized and timely from beginning to end. There is a band that plays music during the trip and a small dance floor. The ride was very smooth, and I loved the view from the top deck of the water and city lights. There are a couple tiny bathrooms on board and the women's restroom even has a changing table. Food wise, they give you a choice of different meats and vegetarian options. I went with the prime rib, which came with a salad, mashed potatoes, and green beans. There is a small table with peel and eat shrimp, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy but I did not partake. Dessert was a red velvet cake. They also have wine, beer, and some specialty mixed drinks. I thought the price was kind of high (around $60 for the dinner cruise), but you are paying for a unique local experience. I would highly recommend this as a fun group activity!

What a fun adventure! I love trying out new things in the Central Florida area that aren't too touristy or theme park oriented, since there is so much more on offer than just those things. We decided to do a lunch cruise as a family (there were 9 of us - 8 adults, one toddler). We were at two tables of four with a high chair. The boat was well kept and had a fun vintage vibe. There was an appetizer course where it's buffet, self serve. There was pasta salad, sticky buns, fruit, cheese, etc. The sticky buns have nuts - so allergy people beware. The main meals are listed on the menu and you check which one you want. The prime rib was delicious. The salmon also looked good! The view was great and there is an informative narration portion during the trip - but brief so it doesn't distract from being able to enjoy conversation. There was also live music, and he was excellent. Be sure to let them know if you are celebrating something so they can call it out on the microphone!! Overall: A++ A fun and different type of adventure! Book a lunch cruise and enjoy some scenic views!!

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Rivership Romance is GONE New Boat is... - St Johns Rivership Company

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We joined a group to go on a luncheon cruise on the St. John's Rivership out of Sanford, Florida... read more

My wife and I took the four hour boat trip on the Barbara Lee, an authentic paddle wheeler. From... read more

Rivership Romance is GONE New Boat is Barbara Lee and it is excellent.

PLEASE EVERYONE TAKE NOTE. The picture and the bad review's was for the Rivership Romance not the Barbara Lee. The Barbara Lee is a new company, boat, owners and empoyee's etc. IT was EXCELLENT..... We took the 4 - 7 cruise on New Years Eve. The food was outstanding, entertainment was good and the crew was there for your every need. I suggest the Prime Rib.......Wow was it good. I would recommed this trip for everyone. Sunset on the St John's was beautiful.

Fine food, Fun Crowds,Fabulous Music! We had the most fun time ever on New Year's Eve by joining all of our friends and family aboard the Barbara Lee. What a great way to bring in the New Year of 2013. There was laughter and fun on every deck. We had so much fun that we are already making plans to book again for both Valentines Day and 4th of July. The crew was amazing and humorous and had we laughed so hard that our sides were splitting and I do mean splitting - even split my wife's dress. The dance floor was full the entire night with a variety of golden oldies music that everyone of all ages had a great time. WE highly recommend this Authentic Paddle Wheeler to any and everyone. We plan to book our special events on this dining cruise as well. Jim and Corki Weart

Bye Rivership Romance Hello Barbara Lee - a true paddle wheel boat with modern amenities. Great experience for everyone. Day cruises with scenic views of the St Johns River and Evening Cruises with Live Entertainment on both. Fresh Chef prepared meals and served to your table. Full bar available. Owners of this ship are aware that some Rivership Romance Customers were left high and dry and have graciously offered to work with those customers by offering them a discount towards a cruise. This family has successfully managed cruise boats for many years and have what it takes to run a "tight" ship. For anyone looking for something fun and different experience with a date or a group, this should top the list.

The BARBARA ANN is a true paddle-wheeler operated by the St Johns Rivership Co at the same location as the old Romance. The Thanksgiving trip was fabulous.

Historic Downtown Sanford: Craft breweries, restaurants, gastropubs, events, tours, things to do in Sanford, FL

Food · Drink · Events · Music · Tours

 We are a community driven blog that promotes the Historic Downtown Sanford District in Central, Florida as a food & beverage destination to a global audience for tourism, film locations, community events & investment.

Experiences

St. Johns Rivership Co Unique River Cruise Experience Under New Ownership

Over the last few years, Historic Downtown Sanford has become a recognized and preeminent destination within Central Florida for its events & experiences. From large scale neighborhood-infused music festivals to outlandishly fun sofa races, from golf cart & e-bike rentals along the Sanford Riverwalk to enjoying a craft brewery or food tour, from taking in award-winning shows and plays to browsing at art festivals, there is an overwhelming array of things to do in Historic Downtown Sanford.

Among the plethora of options, one of Sanford’s most classic and unique experiences, the St. Johns Rivership Co. and its flagship vessel the Barbara Lee, has taken tens of thousands of guests up the St. Johns River in their turn-of-the-century style paddleboat. In September of 2023, the Wyatt family purchased the business, and under their ownership, patrons can look forward to a revitalized and refreshed version of this authentic ‘Old Florida’ delight, along with first-class food, drink, and fun!

Meeting with new owner Michelle Wyatt on the Barbara Lee, I was quickly impressed by both the scope and speed of the upgrades and enhancements already in place, and the vision of what’s to come. Acquiring the St. Johns Rivership Co. on September 7, 2023, the Wyatts are now the third family to operate a dining experience aboard a Rivership from the Historic Downtown Sanford Marina since 1982. The Wyatt family successfully ran a software business for 22 years in Maryland, with a focus on event management and mobile app solutions. Michelle’s extensive experience in business development, her strategic vision, and focus on providing an elite guest experience to each guest already has the St. Johns Rivership Co. pointed in the right direction.

Wyatt appreciates that what her family bought is more than just a boat, and more than just a restaurant. The Barbara Lee is the only authentic sternwheeler sailing the St. Johns River, measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, and capable of having 194 guests lounge within its five stories and myriad decks, making it the perfect space to host events of varying sizes. Built in 1986 and extensively refurbished in 2012, the ship is a replica of the traditional stern wheel style boats that ran on the St. Johns River back during the mid to late 1800s, featuring ornate wrought iron railings and massive wooden paddle wheels. While cutting a path across Lake Monroe in Sanford, the Barbara Lee looks all at once part something out of a Mark Twain novel and 100% a good time. “We bought an experience,” said Wyatt. “We’re excited to give this great experience its next chapter.”

The Wyatts have wasted no time implementing many positive changes, including online ticket sales, equipping the Barbara Lee with WiFi capabilities, and enhancing the audio-visual capabilities on board. “Where I can immediately help this business is with the guest experience,” says Michelle. “This vessel and this business is a dining experience that has become a part of people’s lives.”

Wyatt’s passion for hospitality and appreciation for providing exceptional experiences to customers has now been directed towards this historic and historically relevant attraction housed in the Downtown Sanford Marina. Plans are unfolding over the next few months to refurbish the interior, including carpets and lighting, along with planned upgraded and modernization to the building located on Marina Island that serves as the St. Johns Rivership Co.’s ticket office. Additionally, “cross-generational” activities to attract and engage a younger generation such as “Pirates and Mermaids” and “Sailing with Santa” events are part of the vision, along with monthly drink specials and other exciting events.

Back to the “experience” you are getting when you set sail up the river on the Barbara Lee, the St. Johns Rivership Co. is a premier river cruise operator that showcases the stunning beauty and rich history of the St. Johns River region. This is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that combined food, drink, relaxation and picturesque waterfront locations. As the Marina Island Master Plan set forth by the City of Sanford comes into fruition, with the proposed bar, restaurant, and café overlooking the water and the fully refreshed and reorganized marina, Wyatt aims to have the St. Johns Rivership Co. anchored right amidst the action, adding to the amazing things there are to do in Historic Downtown Sanford.

Downtown Sanford Marina 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford FL 32771 (321) 441-3030 www.stjohnsrivershipco.com

Daniel R. Lewis

Daniel R. Lewis is an Attorney, Realtor, and entrepreneur who is one of Sanford’s most prominent business leaders. Attorney Lewis has served on the board of directors for the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, as a Commissioner on the City of Sanford Planning and Zoning board, runs a large non-profit entity, and has otherwise been involved in countless large-scale growth projects in Sanford, Florida. He is a two-tour United States Air Force veteran who served his nation in time of war, is heavily involved in a variety of local civic, community, and charitable functions, and owns the most recognized legal practice in Sanford.

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Home » Orlando Attractions » Distraction Attractions » St Johns Rivership Co.

St Johns Rivership Co.

• Location: 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, Florida 32771
• Phone: (321) 441-3030
• Website: http://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Things to do at St Johns Rivership Co.

Here's a totally different way to experience Florida,  its wildlife, its beauty, and its warmth. All while enjoying the very best in chef-prepared cuisine, live entertainment and endless hospitality in climate-controlled comfort. Family-owned and operated, the St. Johns Rivership Co. is the latest in a long line of sternwheelers that have been serving and sailing the St. Johns River for centuries. 

Did You Know?

Interesting & useful facts

Measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, the ship was built in 1986.

All enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating.

All narrated cruises include your choice of chef-prepared entrée, live entertainment, and endless hospitality.

Photos of St Johns Rivership Co.

News About St Johns Rivership Co.

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All Aboard St Johns Rivership

Glancing out across Lake Monroe from the marina in historic Sanford you might be fooled into thinking you'd gone back in time 100 years. Making its way…

The Barbara-Lee

Welcome to the Rivership Barbara-Lee. The only authentic sternwheeler sailing the St. Johns River. Measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, the ship was built in 1986 and was extensively refurbished prior to its inaugural St. Johns cruise in 2012. Featuring ornate wrought iron railings and massive wooden paddle wheels, the five-story rivership accommodates up to 194 guests, making it ideally suited to host events of varying sizes. Plus, all enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating.

Grand Salon Deck

Seats 94 and features an elevated Main Stage, dance floor and well-stocked bar

Mezzanine Deck

Seats 40 and offers views of the paddlewheel and Main Stage

Lookout Deck

Seats 60 and features its own dance floor with a “lookout” through to the Main Stage.

Paddlewheel Deck

A covered open-air deck overlooking the wheels allows you to stay out of the sun while enjoying unobstructed views of the river and its wildlife.

Captain’s Deck

The topmost, open-air deck featuring benches and the captain’s steering cabin

Sip perfectly Poured Cocktails As You Stroll The Decks.

The Barbara-Lee features a well-stocked bar and a professional bartender ready to serve a glass of wine, beer or one of our Signature Cocktails. BEVERAGE MENU

Cruises & Fares

The Barbara-Lee departs from Historic Downtown Sanford almost daily. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO CRUISE.

All narrated cruises include your choice of chef-prepared entrée, live entertainment, and endless hospitality, as well as a well-stocked bar. Lunch cruises depart the dock in downtown Sanford Wednesday through Sunday with dinner cruises available on Saturday nights.

River Visit Luncheon Cruise – Wednesday 11am to 2pm River Escape Lunch Cruise – Thursday 11am to 3pm Saturday Luncheon Cruise – Saturday 11am to 2pm Dinner Dance Cruise  – Saturday Evenings 7:30pm to 10:30pm Sunday Luncheon Cruise – Sunday 11am to 2pm

*PLEASE NOTE BOARDING BEGINS 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE

THE BARBARA-LEE MENU

Once you’ve been seated, you’re able to select your entrée from The Barbara-Lee Menu. Should you have questions, helpful staff are on hand to answer them. Upon selection of your meal, you simply give your menu slip to your server. Then, just sit back and relax or take a stroll about the ship.

Entrées are chef-prepared to your liking and served with side salad, freshly baked rolls, chef’s choice vegetables and dessert.

USDA choice cut prime rib prepared to your specifications. Served alongside buttery mashed potatoes.

Tropical Chicken

Slow-roasted chicken breast with Parmesan and a savory mango-pineapple chutney atop rice.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken breast prepared in a Marsala sauce reduction with mushrooms and Parmesan and served alongside buttery mashed potatoes.

Chicken Parmesan

Grilled chicken breast with Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce alongside pasta and a side of chef’s choice vegetables.

Salmon Fillet

Thick-cut salmon prepared with your choice of Lemon Butter Sauce or Teriyaki Glaze atop rice.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Layers of slow-roasted vegetables, pasta, marinara sauce and three kinds of cheese. Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in our signature Caesar dressing, with homemade croutons and Parmesan topped with your choice of grilled Chicken Breast or Salmon Fillet.

St Johns Rivership Shuttle

COURTESY SHUTTLE

For your comfort and convenience, a Courtesy Shuttle is available for groups of 8 to 14 guests. Shuttle availability varies. Prior booking required. Must have same pickup and drop-off location. Maximum 40-mile distance.

St. Johns Rivership Company and the Barbara-Lee

Introduction.

Text-to-speech Audio

The Barbara-Lee docked at Monroe Harbour Marina

a full view of the Barbara-Lee from Lake Monroe

The Barbara-Lee

A view of the Barbara-Lee from an old dock

Food on the Barbara-Lee

Musical entertainment on the Barbara-Lee

A nice famliy eating on the Barbara-Lee

Bow of the Barbara-Lee

Barbara-Lee viewed from a passing boat

Backstory and Context

The Sanford River Ship Company is a corporation that offers lunch and dinner cruises on the St. Johns River. It is located at 433 N. Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. Their ship is named the Barbara-Lee and it's named after the owners’ deceased beloved mother (Kellam). The cruise starts from the marina and continues around an island nicknamed Chicken Island by locals. This takes about 3 hours and gives you enough time to eat, enjoy the onboard entertainment and look around at the natural beauty that is the St. Johns River. Barbara-Lee is an old remodeled steam-powered stern-wheeler form the gulf coast and was made in 1986 and refurbished to a dinning cruise ship in 2012 (Stjohnsrivershipco). This five-story boat has massive wooden paddle wheels, is colored red and white, has lights on it during the Christmas season, can accommodate up to 194 guests, making it a fantastic venue to host a small to medium sized event. The 2 paddle wheels at the stern operate independently which makes steering of the ship easy for experienced helmsmen. The decks are called the Grand Salon Deck, Mezzanine Deck, Lookout Deck, Paddle Wheel Deck, and the Captain’s Deck (Stjohnsrivershipco ). The Barbara-Lee follows other St. Johns River boats named Grand Romance and the Rivership Romance. Barbara-Lee is owned by a family named Sternberg. The father is Bill; the mother was Barbara. Their son is John and there are two sisters. They are from Traves, Michigan and they used to own a restaurant called The Bean Pot (Kellam). Bill Maloney, the original owner, used to own the Rivership Romance that was docked at Monroe Harbour Marina. The old company failed when Rivership Romance had maintenance issues with its hull (Clarke).

Before hundreds of miles of highways crossed the state of Florida, even before railroads took over the nation, steamships were used in Florida for travel, transportation, and trade (Robison). Steamships were faster than sailboats and could travel longer distances. Historian Arthur E. Francke Jr. wrote that steamships were a vital part of the Second Seminole War. Camp Monroe was the southernmost point for steamships to transport troops and supplies as the Seminole War was going on. The camp was later renamed to Fort Mellon, the name honored Captain Charles Mellon who was killed by Seminoles during the war (Robison). Nine named steamships alongside thirty other unnamed steamships served Fort Mellon in 1837. The steamships were chartered by the army during the Second Seminole War. This was the first extensive use of steamships in warfare, according to Francke (Robison). They were also used to trade goods from Tampa Bay to Cuba and the Caribbean. Flagler in the 1890s built hotels along the Biscayne Bay and used steamships to carry passengers to the different hotels (Gannon). Steamships contributed to the Florida economy by attracting rich northerners to come and enjoy nice, warm Florida weather so they could get away from the cold (SJRWMD). By 1885 cities along the river grew as the local economy flourished (St. Johns Riverkeeper).

The St. Johns River which runs in a northernly direction, interestingly, was discovered in the early 1500s by Spanish seamen. After warfare over the years with the French, the Spanish named the river Rio de San Juan which means St. Johns River (SJRWMD). The name has stuck and many people live along the river, traverse the river for pleasure and of course the Barbara-Lee travels along it daily twice a day. Since 1890 many changes have occurred to the local economy transitioning businesses away from just using the river as a source to transport goods such as lumber and citrus. The Barbara-Lee contributes to the local Sanford economy since guests spend money in beautiful Sanford.The river has such an interesting history that in 1998 it was designated an American Heritage River by President Clinton. The St. Johns is the only river in Florida and one of only 14 rivers in the entire United States to receive this prestigious national recognition (St. Johns Riverkeeper).

The Barbara-Lee is a beautiful experience on the St. Johns River with delicious home-made food and known for their sticky buns. Seeing its huge paddles move the rivership as you have lunch or dinner on the St. Johns River is amazing. The age of the paddle boat is passed, however, the company is popular and many people from all over Florida and elsewhere book trips aboard it (Kellam). Besides their own website, many people learn about this experience via word of mouth. The Orlando Sentinel also featured this interesting boat cruise available on the St. Johns River out of Sanford, Florida.

Clarke, Sara K. “Sanford Gets New Riverboat for St. Johns Dinner Cruises.” Orlandosentinel.com , Orlando Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2012, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-sanford-new-riverboat-cruise-20121010-story.html

"Historical Facts about the St. Johns River.” SJRWMD , St. Johns Water Management, https://www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/st-johns-river/facts

 “History.” St. Johns Riverkeeper , St. Johns Riverkeeper, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/about-us/our-river/history/.

The History of Florida , edited by Michael Gannon, University Press of Florida, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/scc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5399402.

Kellam, Dolores. Personal Interview. 8 Oct. 2019

Robison, Jim. Seminole Countys Centennial: Celebrating a Century of Success . The Donning Company Publishers, 2013.

“St. Johns Rivership Co.: Home.” Stjohnsrivershipco , St. Johns Rivership Co., 2016, https://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Courtesy of Cynthia Haller

https://www.historicdowntownsanford.com/visit-historic-downtown-sanford-florida/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYc1XU92Xh8

https://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Additional Information

• A short and informative video about the Rivership
• The website of the St. Johns Rivesrhip Co.

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Rivership Romance

Type: Day Trips , Food & Wine , Romantic , Tours and Excursions

Last updated on June 29, 2015

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433 N Palmetto Ave Sanford, FL 32771

407-321-5091

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Cruises along the St. Johns River range from large public sightseeing excursions to private charters. Passengers on cruise boats are treated to scenic views of the river, as it meanders through the lush green Florida wilderness, including Blue Spring State Park. The slow-flowing river is the longest in the state of Florida (310 miles) and is up to three miles wide at some spots, making it an ideal waterway for recreational purposes, such as kayaking and canoeing.

St. Johns River Cruises offers nature tours of the St. Johns River aboard the Native II, an excursion boat that cruises through the shallow backwaters of the river at a slow cruising speed of six miles per hour. Tour guides make frequent stops to point out wildlife, including an occasional manatee, and allow passengers to take photographs.

Two tours are offered daily, leaving Blue Spring State Park at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Private charter cruises also are available aboard a second boat, the Eagle. Both boats are specially built to navigate shallow waters, letting them come much closer to the shoreline than regular cruise boats.

Blue Spring State Park

2100 West French Ave.

Orange City, FL 32763

407-330-1612

sjrivercruises.com

Rivership Romance

Visitors to Sanford, Florida, can hop aboard the Rivership Romance for several different short sightseeing cruises along the St. Johns River, including three-hour and four-hour lunch cruises on weekdays that venture 25 miles down the river; they offer a table of fruits, cheeses and appetizers prior to a sit-down lunch. The Rivership Romance, a converted steam ship that used to haul coal and iron ore on the Great Lakes, also takes passengers on Sunday brunch and Saturday night dining and dancing cruises, as well as live-entertainment cruises featuring such performers as Donna Moore. Tours leave from the boat's dock at the Monroe Harbor Marina at downtown Sanford's Riverwalk.

433 North Palmetto Ave.

Sanford, FL 32771

800-423-7401

rivershipromance.com

River Cruises

River Cruises operates a pair of party boats that cruise the St. Johns River, while passengers enjoy lunch or dinner; cruises operate out of Jacksonville, Florida. Menus offer a wide range of entrees, from barbecue to prime rib. Monthly public cruises feature dinner and entertainment from disc jockeys spinning the latest dance tunes. River Cruises also offers private charters. The company operates two boats. The Lady St. Johns can accommodate up to 250 passengers and features two full bars and two dance floors. The smaller Annabelle Lee can carry up to 150 passengers.

1840 Perry Place

Jacksonville, FL 32207

904-306-2200

jaxrivercruises.com

• St. Johns River Cruises: Home
• River Cruises: Events and Schedules
• St. Johns River Alliance: St. Johns River Fast Facts

Thomas K. Arnold is publisher and editorial director of "Home Media Magazine" and a regular contributor to "Variety." He is a former editorial writer for U-T San Diego. He also has written for "San Diego Magazine," "USA Today" and the Copley News Service. Arnold attended San Diego State University.

More Articles

• Riverboat Cruises in Omaha, Nebraska
• Riverboat Cruises in Georgia
• Riverboat Cruises on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania
• Pontoon Boat Tours in New Orleans
• Florida Sightseeing Cruises

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"Rivership Romance"

433 n palmetto ave., sanford, $20 for a three-hour luncheon cruise aboard the “rivership romance” in sanford.

• Three-course meal of seasonally inspired American fare
• Climate-controlled comfort
• See wildlife

Groupon Customer Reviews

About this deal.

Bodies of water are frequent metaphors in poetry, due to their unfathomable depths, unknowable sprawl, and unattainable porpoises. Set sail into the enigma with today's Groupon: for $20, you get a three-hour luncheon cruise (a $43.34 total value including $2.50 port charge and sales tax) aboard the Rivership Romance , which operates out of the Monroe Harbour Marina in downtown Sanford.

Board the Rivership Romance , a 60-plus-year-old riverboat that’s cruised so many miles down the St. Johns River, it's estimated that it could have circumnavigated the world roughly 12 times . Within the vessel's climate-controlled dining room, guests can relax in cozy red booths with a salad and fresh rolls. Upscale American entrees, such as Southern-spice-seasoned tilapia and roasted chicken breast with a blood-orange glaze, follow the salad down diners’ gullets before a sweet, seasonally inspired dessert completes the feast. Like a spy’s costumes, the menu changes frequently to accommodate the season and demands of the day; if you have questions about the menu, call ahead to see exactly what’s available.

While fresh flavors tickle rivergoers’ taste buds, the amber-colored waters of the St. Johns River excite their optical sockets. The St. Johns is a mysterious fish highway because it runs backward, flowing from south to north. Wildlife—such as birds, turtles, sea cows, alligators, and more—have learned to run or swim backwardly along the bank and catch their food by bumping into it. Click here to see some photos from past excursions.

About "Rivership Romance"

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Rivership Romance

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• 433 North Palmetto Avenue
• Sanford, FL
• 1 407 321 5091

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