Tour Overview

Ahoy Mateys! Climb aboard the only authentic sternwheeler to sail the St. Johns river, Florida’s longest river originating near historic Sanford, Florida, for a three hour lunch cruise! While you cruise along the river, we’ll provide binoculars for you to seek out wildlife along the shores and in the water during your relaxing day break from the hustle and bustle of Orlando’s tourist zone .

You’ll feel like you are traveling with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as you glide along on the five-story sternwheeler Barbara-Lee, featuring ornate wrought iron railings and classic massive wooden paddle wheels. But be on the lookout for all the magical wildlife of the St. Johns river, including graceful manatees swimming alongside the ship, or wild gators, native birds and turtles sunning along the shore. And don’t worry about the weather: all enclosed decks are climate controlled with air conditioning and heating.

While you cruise the river you’ll also enjoy narration on the sternwheeler and live entertainment! Your lunch cruise is made complete with a delicious meal featuring fresh fruit upon boarding, followed by your choice of entrée (beef, chicken, fish or lasagna), chef-prepared to your liking, and served with a side salad, freshly baked rolls, chef’s choice of vegetables and dessert.

You’ll have plenty of photos and memories to share with friends and family back home about your day spent sailing to the “other Orlando” usually only seen by locals!

Sternwheeler Lunch Cruise along St. John’s River Tour Includes:

• Round-trip transportation from your hotel
• Three hour lunch cruise fare along St. Johns river sailing from historic Sanford
• Appetizers upon entry
• Hot lunch on board the sternwheeler
• Narration and live entertainment on the sternwheeler
• All taxes and port fees
• Assortment of cold drinks provided to and from the sternwheeler
• Professional guide with local commentary to and from the sternwheeler
• 10% discount for your next Original Orlando Tours adventure (valid for 30 days)
• This Original Orlando Tours Explorer Tour includes an Orlando discount booklet for each guest
• Earns SUNNY PERKS REWARDS^TM
• Confirmation will be sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• A minimum of 3 people per booking is required
• The minimum age of all our guests is 4 years old

Exclusions and Extras:

• Alcoholic beverages on the sternwheeler (may be purchased on-site)
• UPGRADE to a four-hour cruise (available Thursdays only) for an additional $20+tax/person
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible

Season/Time:

Approximately 6 hours total. Please note that Orlando traffic conditions can vary widely while I-4 is under construction. This tour typically operates all year on Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays. An extended tour (1 hour extra on the St. Johns river, 7 hours total tour time) operates on Thursdays ($20 supplemental fee).

Cancellation Policy:

You may receive a full or partial refund by notifying us via email at info@originalorlando.com of the cancellation. No refunds shall be issued for cancellations not received at least 72 hours in advance of the starting time and date of your tour. Please review your Terms and Conditions document for other cancellation provisions.

Sunny’s Local Tips and Bits:

The food is reallllly good on this ship! Bring your appetite. The sternwheeler departs from historic Sanford and spends time on the St. John’s river, one of the rare rivers which flows south to north, and all the way to downtown Jacksonville!

Other:

This tour is only offered in English. Florida weather is unpredictable and may impact the tour. If the weather is deemed unsafe by our guide due to weather conditions prior to commencement of the tour, Original Orlando Tours will offer a substitute tour at the original day and time, offer a credit to be used on any future Original Orlando Tours adventure, or fully refund the tour fee, the choice of which is at the option of our special guests impacted by the weather disruption. There are no refunds once the tour has commenced (i.e., the vehicle has left your departure point). This tour also includes an Orlando discount savings booklet. While we suggest wearing a hat, comfortable shoes and sunscreen to make your tour an enjoyable one in warm months as well as a jacket in cooler weather, the interior decks of the ship are climate-controlled year-round.