
St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 38 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida worth booking?
St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida is a 3-hour experience in Orlando, United States, from $36 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 38 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (38)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $36 per person
Set sail on the St. Johns River aboard the elegant Sternwheeler Barbara-Lee for a delightful 3-hour dining experience. Enjoy a three-course meal served at your own private table, featuring a variety of enticing entrées a
What you get
About this experience
Set sail on the St. Johns River aboard the elegant Sternwheeler Barbara-Lee for a delightful 3-hour dining experience. Enjoy a three-course meal served at your own private table, featuring a variety of enticing entrées and indulgent desserts. The atmosphere is enhanced with live entertainment, making it perfect for romantic evenings or special celebrations. With the capacity to accommodate up to 176 guests, this cruise offers a unique escape for individuals, couples, and groups alike. - Scenic 3-hour lunch and dinner cruises available on select days - Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with attentive full-table service - Live entertainment on the cruise to enhance your experience - Full-service bar available for purchase
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carbonated beverages
What you'll see and do
We cruise up and down the St Johns River. The boat departs from Lake Monroe in Sanford, FL.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Orlando
Go to the ticket station with the red awning to pick up your physical boarding passes.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Go to the ticket station with the red awning to pick up your physical boarding passes.
Options you can book
Lunch Cruises
Duration: 3 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
Dinner Cruise
Duration: 3 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
Murder Mystery Comedy Dinner
Immersive Theater Show Duration: 3 hours Full Entree Menu Available
The Grouch Character Lunch
Themed Entertainment: Join the Grouch, Cindy-Lou Who, and Martha May for an unforgettable Holiday Lunch packed with laughter, live music, & dancing Duration: 3 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
Sailing with Santa Lunch
Themed Entertainment: Santa and Ms.Claus will be onboard to hear your wishlist and pose for fun family photos, so don’t forget your camera! Duration: 3 hours: Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to the cruise time
Thanksgiving Eve Dinner Cruise
Entertainment: Live entertainment for a festive holiday atmosphere Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes Thanksgiving Style Meal: Enjoy a traditional turkey feast with all the fixins, served with full table service as you cruise along the St. Johns River.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- St Johns Rivership Company
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Photos




What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
10 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
37 verified traveler reviews for St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Dinner cruise
There were more choices for dinner than I expected and the singer was very good. Could not make my favorite drink - no Drambui.
via Viator
Birthday cruise
Beautiful journey, and wonderful food.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent cruise ship, we enjoyed it.
Me and my husband took the St John river lunch cruise ship on June 19, 2026, it was a warm welcoming, nice and formal, there are few great waitresses but, A young man name Rolling Montgomery was the nicest waitress of all, he made us comfortable, what ever we ordered, we got it, he was an amazing guy, his services is great and excellent, we’re appreciate him with all our heart. Thanks for the st John Barbara Lee River cruises ship Sanford Florida, we are enjoyed and have a nice time while taking the cruise.
via Tripadvisor
Entertainment was good but food was horrible!!
Food was horrible !!! Prime rib was over cooked.. baked potato and carrots and meat were cold when served !!
via Tripadvisor
Short cruise
Relaxing, older ship, amazing staff, food questionable, drinks and dessert, amazing. You may be seated with people you don't know, which is awesome. There is also a narrated tour as you cruise. Topside and windows are great.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $36 to $98
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Orlando.
How much does St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida cost?
+
Prices start at $36 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 Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida take?
+
Plan for about 3 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 Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 38 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 Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida?
+
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 Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida?
+
Around 13 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?
+
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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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, Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida.
Pick your date




