grand romance riverboat sanford fl

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'Grand Romance' Side-Wheeled Steamer Tour Boat

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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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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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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.

Cummins-Powered 'Grand Romance' Begins Excursion Service On St. Johns River In Florida

The 136-foot, triple-decked excursion vessel "Grand Romance" recently began excursion service on the St. Johns River between Sanford and Jacksonville, Fla.

Designed by John Brever, an associate of Florida Naval Architects, Inc. of East Palatka, the 600-passenger vessel was constructed by Freeport Shipbuilding & Marine Repair.

Powered by a pair of fuel-efficient NT-855-N Cummins engines with two NT-855G/GC2 Cummins generators—all supplied by Cummins Alabama, Inc.—the Grand Romance replaces its predecessor, the 110-foot "Rivership Romance," that operated out from Sanford for seven years.

The steel-hulled Grand Romance has a 46- foot beam and a draft of four feet 6 inches when fully loaded. Other features include Miocro Commander electronic engine controls, a Hydro- Electric dual steering system, Twin Disc reduction gears, 4-inch Aquamet 18 shafts, and five-blade, 40-inch pitch, 42-inch-diameter propellers supplied by Bird-Johnson.

On an enclosed fourth level wheelhouse, the captain has a Ratherscan 16-3 radar unit at his disposal, along with two Raytheon 33 all channel VHF units, a pair of 2600 digital Raytheon depth sounders, a 12-inch Ritche compass, a 410 Talkback Raytheon loud hailer, and a Miner channel whistle.

In addition to U.S. Coast Guard-approved running and navigation lights, the Grand Romance is equipped with two Carlisle & Finch 500-watt searchlights; two Crown BH-71, 60 PSI bilge/ballast/fire pumps; two Tait #5 SAS jet pumps; a Quincy D-325 air compressor; and a 10,000-gallon holding tank.

For free literature on the facilities of Freeport Shipbuilding and Marine Repair, C i r c l e 55 on Reader Service Card For free literature on Cummins engines, Circle 56 on Reader Service Card

Read Cummins-Powered 'Grand Romance' Begins Excursion Service On St. Johns River In Florida in Pdf , Flash or Html5 edition of December 1989 Maritime Reporter

Other stories from December 1989 issue

• IMO Delaval Names Three New Managers For Turbine Division page: 8
• Manitowoc Engineering Names Fox Executive VP And General Manager page: 9
• Ocean Survey Ship, USNS Tanner, Launched By Beth-Sparrows Point page: 9
• Avondale Industries Christens N a v y ' s Newest Fleet Oiler, USNS Pecos ( T - A O - 1 9 7) page: 10
• Emergency Rescue Beacon Introduced By Litton To Aid Mariners In Distress page: 10
• Nine M A N B & W Holeby GenSets Ordered For Three Containerships To Be Built At Odense Shipyard page: 11
• MarAd Repair Subsidy Proposal Opposed By U.S. Shipbuilders page: 11
• WORLD SHIPBUILDING A MARKET POISED FOR RAPID TAKE-OFF AND SUSTAINED GROWTH page: 12
• U.S. YARDS COULD COMPETE WITH EUROPE IN 1990s* page: 14
• A SHIPBUILDER'S PERSPECTIVE page: 16
• THE SHORT CRUISE MARKET IH EUROPE AHD HORTH AMERICA page: 17
• EUROPE 1992: WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR U.S. COMPAHIES? page: 18
• OUTSTANDING OCEANGOING SHIPS OF 1989 page: 20
• A STATUS REPORT ON NAVY SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIR page: 27
• $23-Million Navy Contract Awarded Avondale To Enlarge Auxiliary Oiler page: 33
• U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Boats To Be Repowered W i t h Cat Engines page: 34
• Fincantieri Launches 'Scarabeo 5' Semisubmersible Drilling Rig page: 45
• Autronica Receives Order For Radar-Based Level Gaging Systems page: 47
• Cummins-Powered 'Grand Romance' Begins Excursion Service On St. Johns River In Florida page: 48
• Australian Admiral Test-Starts New Sub Engine At Hedemora Diesel—Literature Available page: 48
• W a r t s i l a Diesel Repowers Seattle Fishing Vessels page: 49
• MSI/CAORF Trains How To Avoid Ship Accidents Before They Happen page: 49
• Workboats Northwest Delivers Versatile 58-Foot Fishing Vessel page: 49

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

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

We enjoyed our trip on the St. John's. Wonderful staff, all were friendly and gave great service... 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.

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Day 263 – Rivership Romance in Sanford FL

Jun 19, 2009 | 0

Rivership Romance

Since I work too much and probably won’t get to do this before my 365 project is over I wanted to still be sure to post something about the Rivership Romance in Sanford. It is currently high on my list of things to do but with my days completely overbooked I am running out of time.So here just a quick snapshot I took from the shore of Lake Monroe and schedule and pricing below. Hope that I will soon have a more detailed report and more pictures – taken ON the boat!

I simply love the idea of a dinner cruise or lunch cruise on Lake Monroe to experience Florida’s true nature. A cruise on the Rivership Romance is a fun thing to do in Sanford and friends have already told me that I definitely should check it out. On Saturdays you could even take advantage of a dinner & dance cruise! Can’t wait to spend a fun day on the water, enjoying some good food, cool drinks and fun music 🙂

Here a bit more about their schedule and pricing but be sure to call and verify as those times may change in the future!

Cruise Schedule and Pricing:

3-HOUR LUNCHEON CRUISES – $38.00 (+ port $2.50/person charge and sales tax) Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11 AM – 2 PM Full meal is provided (made on board fresh!).  Bar beverages need to be purchased. 4-HOUR LUNCHEON CRUISES – $48.50 (+ port $2.50/person charge and sales tax) Tuesday and Thursday 11 AM – 3 PM Same as the 3 hour version but with live entertainment and obviously – one hour more fun!

SUNDAY BRUNCH CRUISE – $38.00 (+ port $2.50/person charge and sales tax) Every Sunday 11 AM – 2:00 PM Brunch and special live entertainment. Bar beverages need to be purchased.

MOONLIGHT DINING & DANCE CRUISE- $53.75 (+ port $2.50/person charge and sales tax) Saturday 7:30 PM – 11 PM The most romantic of all cruises. Includes a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and fine dinner. Bar beverages need to be purchased. Moonlit water must be great, I just wonder about those mean mosquitoes… So prepare yourselves!

A few more things to be mentioned about the Rivership Romance in Sanford FL:

• Reservation for cruises is required.
• The minimum ages on all evening cruises is 14 years.
• The boat is 98 ft long and triple decked.
• Gift certificates are available.
• There is also a private functions schedule available for Monday through Friday evening cruises. Call for more information.

Here is their information: Rivership Romance 433 N. Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 1-800 -423-7401 Office hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:30am to 5:00pm (Saturdays until 7:30pm) Sunday: 9am to Noon

About The Author

Hi, my name is Claudia! I live, work and play in Sanford, FL. To top it all off, I am also totally in love with Sanford! My husband Jose and I are Realtors in Sanford, FL and help people realize their dreams of home ownership. We have two sons, Nicolas (2011) and Lukas (2013). I am originally from Germany, moved here in 2004. In 2008 I started Sanford365.com. I love everything that says creativity. Design is my passion, no matter if Graphic, Web or Fashion Design - and I am also into photography :) I'm also very social and love to hang out with my family and friends, be it for a kids play date or a fun night out ;)

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St. Johns Rivership Co.

Weddings & Anniversaries

Celebrate Your Love on the Waters of Romance: Host Your Dream Wedding with St. Johns Rivership Co Aboard the Barbara-Lee!

Dear Brides and Grooms-to-Be,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! As you embark on the journey of a lifetime, why not make it even more magical by exchanging your vows aboard the enchanting Barbara-Lee owned by St. Johns Rivership in beautiful Historic Sanford, FL? We can accommodate weddings from 2-200 people.  We invite you to set sail on a river of love and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

• Love in Full Bloom: Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the St. Johns River. Our historic sternwheeler, the Rivership Barbara-Lee, offers a romantic and intimate setting, perfect for a wedding filled with love and joy.
• Unparalleled Charm: The Rivership Barbara-Lee exudes timeless charm and elegance, creating an ambiance that is simply unmatched. Your wedding on our ship will be a celebration of love steeped in history and romance.
• Captivating Scenery: With the serene waters and breathtaking views as your backdrop, your wedding photos will be nothing short of extraordinary. The St. Johns River will add an element of natural beauty to every moment of your special day.
• An All-Inclusive Experience: Our dedicated team will take care of every detail, ensuring that your wedding day is stress-free and seamless. From the ceremony to the reception, we’ve got you covered with all-inclusive wedding packages tailored to your preferences.
• Intimate Affairs or Grand Celebrations: Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our ship offers versatile spaces to accommodate your guest list. Choose from different decks and seating arrangements to suit your wedding vision.
• Culinary Delights: Delight your guests with a gourmet dining experience they won’t forget. Our expert chefs will craft a delectable menu that will tantalize taste buds and leave everyone raving about the meal.
• Dance the Night Away: After you say “I do,” celebrate your union on our spacious decks, where you and your guests can dance under the stars. The gentle sway of the ship adds an extra touch of romance to the evening.
• Professional Event Coordination: Our experienced wedding coordinators will work closely with you to bring your wedding dreams to life. They will handle every detail, ensuring that your vision is flawlessly executed.
• The Beginning of Forever: Begin your journey into married life with a wedding that is as unique as your love story. A wedding on the Barbara-Lee is a celebration of your love and a promise of a lifetime of happiness together.
• Reserve Your Magical Voyage: Dates fill up quickly, so secure your preferred wedding date now to create an unforgettable wedding celebration. Let us be a part of your love story!