
St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford worth booking?
St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford is a 2-hour experience in Orlando, United States, from $57 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (14)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $57 per person
Our ship, the "Barbara-Lee", is an authentic paddle-wheeler, hosting lunch, dinner and specialty cruises. She travels across Lake Monroe and up the beautiful St. Johns River. Live entertainment, full table service and an entree selected from a menu are part of every cruise. All meals are prepared fresh in the galley. Included are a variety of savory finger sandwiches, scones with jelly, bite size sweets, and endless tea. A full cash bar is also provided onboard. With three dining levels and the flexibility of table setting, it is the perfect setting for anniversary and birthday celebrations, reunions, weddings, business meetings and private charters. **Boarding for all cruises begins 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
What you get
About this experience
Our ship, the "Barbara-Lee", is an authentic paddle-wheeler, hosting lunch, dinner and specialty cruises. She travels across Lake Monroe and up the beautiful St. Johns River. Live entertainment, full table service and an entree selected from a menu are part of every cruise. All meals are prepared fresh in the galley. Included are a variety of savory finger sandwiches, scones with jelly, bite size sweets, and endless tea. A full cash bar is also provided onboard. With three dining levels and the flexibility of table setting, it is the perfect setting for anniversary and birthday celebrations, reunions, weddings, business meetings and private charters. **Boarding for all cruises begins 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
What's included
Included
- Tea and coffee
- Lunch
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carbonated beverages
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Orlando
Stop by the Ticket Office next to the boat to pick up your physical boarding pass.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Stop by the Ticket Office next to the boat to pick up your physical boarding pass.
Options you can book
Witch's Brew High Tea
Duration: 2 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time High Tea Menu: Scones, Sweets, & unlimited savory sandwiches Unlimited refills from over 30 flavors of tea
Downton Abbey High Tea
Duration: 2 hours
Sense and Sensiblity High Tea
Duration: 2 hours
Beauty & The Beast High Teas
Duration: 2 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time High Tea Menu: Scones, Sweets, & unlimited savory sandwiches Unlimited refills from over 30 flavors of tea
Tea's the Season High Tea
Duration: 2 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time High Tea Menu: Scones, Sweets, & unlimited savory sandwiches Unlimited refills from over 30 flavors of tea
Alice in Wonderland High Tea
Duration: 2 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time High Tea Menu: Scones, Sweets, & unlimited savory sandwiches Unlimited refills from over 30 flavors of tea
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- St Johns Rivership Company
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Late arrivals will not be able to participate
- Restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. There is a raised threshold you will have to step over to enter the Restrooms. All levels except the main deck require navigation of stairs. If you are not able to navigate stairs, please reach out to our staff prior to the day of the cruise so we can seat you on the Main Deck of the vessel.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Simple fun
Bottom line: overall fun. Set your expectations realistically. This is not a luxury cruise or an elegant high tea. The food is not spectacular but it’s solidly good. Servers were wonderfully friendly and very very casual and uniformly competent. This was a Halloween cruise that included some fun costumed entertainers (no show, just guest interactions). There are a number of different themes listed. Tea was foil bags and a thermos of hot water ( Brits will not be happy), with tons of flavors but, curiously, only one basic tea. The tea tier was packed with good sweet treats. Lastly, boat is clean, comfortable, and interesting. Perhaps I misunderstood, but there is reference on the website to seeing wildlife and natural scenery. In fact, we sailed out to the of the harbor, turned around and sailed back. Nothing to see. Maybe other cruises go other places. Yes, I would probably go again. Not the trip of a lifetime, but worth the price if you just want to have a nice cruise on a paddle wheeler, eat simple decent food ( and maybe see some local scenery on the right cruise?)
via Tripadvisor
Delightful
Very good, staff were entertaining, polite and attentive servers, ambiance is delighful
via Tripadvisor
False advertising and character interference
The theme Alice in Wonderland was absolutely adorable. From the characters walking about greeting guests to the decorations. Our disappointment came from the inexperienced service. We were relaxing and enjoying the experience. We were told specific tiers of food were unlimited. We began to eat what was already on the table. Didn’t know if we would want more. We saw plates piled high being delivered to other tables. We didn’t think anything about it. Eventually a group of characters came to our table and mentioned to order as much as we want and ask for a to Go box at the end:. We simply smiled and thanked them for the advice. Once we finished what we were originally provided we asked for a couple of refills. We were informed the scones (which were unlimited) we all gone. We were able to ask for more sandwiches. It took several reminders to the server. Our final inquiry we were told what sandwiches were all Gone and what was available. So we said being two each of what was available. We were not asking for extra. By the time they did come we really weren’t interested anymore. We picked ar what we received. We are not gluttonous and only asked for what we wanted. To explain that these tiers are unlimited is false advertising. Having the characters tell people to order more than necessary is ridiculous. It dampened the experience. We were celebrating a birthday and this would not have been what I would have wanted to provide as the host..
via Viator
Very relaxing ride on...
Very relaxing ride on Lake Monroe! You could get up and walk around even go outside! Only thing was the seats were very hard!
via Viator
Hope You Don't Get Tina
The boat was decorated beautifully, and so were the tables. They had American history characters in costume walking around talking to us, like Sacagawea, Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, Rosie the Riveter, and Amelia Earhart. They had lots of varieties of tea from which to choose, although when we asked for strawberry pomegranate, they brought plain strawberry. We had to go back and forth a couple times to get the right tea. The water was tepid, not hot, for the tea. The waitress told us it was our fault because we didn't seal the lid tight. But instead of serving us regular pots of tea or hot water, they had heavy tall thermoses that were difficult to pick up and pour, and to seal the tops. You'd think they could pour the water for us, but I guess that's asking too much. There is no clotted cream for the scones. They had super sugary white icing. They didn't have enough sandwiches on our table when we arrived. We were a table of three and they had sandwiches for two people. We immediately asked for more sandwiches. The sandwiches were all you can eat. Well, that's provided they actually bring the sandwiches. Thus started the sandwich debacle. We were told that they would bring out more sandwiches once the boat starts moving, which was shortly thereafter. So three more times, Tina the waitress comes, and each time we ask where are the sandwiches, and she said oh they're coming. Meanwhile, we noticed all the tables around us got more sandwiches about a half an hour later, and we still hadn't gotten ours, and we asked for ours before everyone else. Tina started making excuses. We told her we don't want to hear the excuses, we want our sandwiches. She became upset and wouldn't come back to our table. Fortunately a different waitress came by. However, they only brought egg salad and seafood sandwiches. We said could you please bring some of the cucumber sandwiches and the chicken sandwiches. Big surprise, we had to ask for those a few times too. So if you want to pay full price for tepid tea that you have to pour yourself, insufficient food, and sugary icing instead of clotted cream for your scones, while watching everyone else around you get served, and you want to hear bad excuses from a bad waitress, then you'll enjoy this trip. Otherwise, we say skip it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $57 to $72
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by St Johns Rivership Company, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.0.
See everything St Johns Rivership Company runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Orlando.
How much does St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford cost?
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Prices start at $57 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Orlando usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Orlando is not rushed.
Is St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Orlando, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Orlando can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Orlando and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Orlando within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Orlando?
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Orlando is a park town with a wetland wrapped around it. Multi-day theme park tickets and skip-ahead passes dominate, but the highest-satisfaction days are often the ones nobody plans: airboat runs on the St. Johns, manatee swims at Crystal River, and Kennedy Space Center on a launch day. We rank on wait-time value and how honestly an operator describes what is included. On Outty we rank every Orlando experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Escape Game Orlando: Epic 60-Minute Adventures on I-Drive, Kennedy Space Center with Transport from Orlando and Kissimmee, 2 HR Interactive Walking Ghost Tour in Downtown Orlando. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Orlando?
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January to April, before the humidity and the afternoon thunderstorms settle in. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Orlando?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Included: Tea and coffee; and Lunch. Not included: Alcoholic beverages; and Carbonated beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Stop by the Ticket Office next to the boat to pick up your physical boarding pass. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. There is a raised threshold you will have to step. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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Across 14 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, value for money. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for St. Johns River High-Tea Cruise Tour in Sanford?
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There are 6 options to choose from, including Witch's Brew High Tea, Downton Abbey High Tea, Sense and Sensiblity High Tea, Beauty & The Beast High Teas. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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