MARCO ISLAND — Even royalty can be struck by a down economy as evidenced by a temporary closure of the popular attraction, the Marco Princess, a 96-foot luxury yacht, offering tours in the coastal waterways.
The Marco Princess will leave the Marco River Marina after it’s final summer voyage June 28, and not return until services are expected to pick back up again this November.
However, the Skipper Liner, the kind of boat and the name of the parent company, won’t go far. Marco Princess will be docked with the Naples Princess, which is still offering summer services as usual, near Tin City.
“In our seven years, this is the first summer we’re deciding to temporarily cease operations. It’s a preemptive consolidation of operations pretty much due to the economy. Usually our summer services are just more abbreviated,” said Robin Shifflett, a sales manager with the Marco Island Princess.
While Capt. Rodger Parcelles had reported sales down as much as 20 percent during certain months this past year, his sister, Shifflett said there were several good months this winter in spite of the economy.
Two lunch voyages, an evening dinner and sunset and guided tours will be available from Tuesday through June 28. The two lunch cruises are from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and June 27. Sunset sightseeing cruises from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening are available at a discounted $30. Dinner cruises are about $60 all inclusive.
The final voyage is the sunset dinner June 28.
Shifflett thanked the community for their support since the Marco Island Princess’s maiden voyage in 2002.
Though Marco Princess and Sunshine Tours share ticket sales, Parcelles will still be operating his Sunshine Tours as he has for the past 25 years. His fishing tours, back country fishing and shelling will continue as usual.
Tickets for the Marco Princess and Sunshine Tours services are available at their shared chickee hut at Marco River Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Drive or by calling 642-5415.
Buddy Day, 2012
Catch of the Day: Feb. 9, 2012
Marco Island GOOOH meeting, Feb. 2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 6
MrBreeze writes:
The Marco Princess is a First Class operation. They do a great job treating people to a great time and being a part of Marco Island. I personally enjoy the evening cruise. Hope to see them back in the fall.
jaguar writes:
Is this the start of the decline regarding tourists and people thinking of buying here. Perhaps if we encouraged them to visit instead of trying to drive them away, we could survive this economy.Remember BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST and with all the negative news from Marco recently it was always going to take its toll on this islands businesses. You were Warned.
MrBreeze writes:
Jaguar, There you go again. Do you ever once stop thinking about money? Do you not see the global slowdown? Why is it that you want MORE tourists? Answer: So you can MAKE MONEY off them with your "flophouse rental home". So big deal the boat stops in the summer.
As far as Island business, that is also related to the big picture which at the moment is slow.
I like to see the slowing of tourists. I like the less traffic, slower pace, less noise at night. That is why you should buy a home on Marco Island. It is not about how much you can profit from it to cover your expenses, looking at how much value you have gained from your home. I was a tourists before I became a owner/resident. The difference I bought for the Island features not how much I can glean from the Island.
Greedy people are the WARNING Marco Island cannot take any longer. I can only hope people of the same opinion are the majority.
jaguar writes:
Greetings from the U.K.Because of the sheer exhaustion of replying to your stupid blogs over the past few months my Wife and I have decided to do a European tour and are staying with some friends we actually met on Marco who live here in England.Anyway I am sat over looking the sea in a place called Sandbanks that is situated on the south coast apparently one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world,(Google it) oops there I go again on about money.As you correctly say there is a world recession,but believe it or not tourists are welcomed with open arms here, I can rent a property here for 1week,2weeks or even a month.The restaurants are packed the boats are full and life is wonderful no idiots like you here.Considering it was Christopher Columbus who discovered the good old U.S.A it would seem that some of us have gone backwards in our train of thought as how to keep the local economy going.Here they are doing just fine.Keep the blogs coming its just such a fantastic source of amusement to us and our hosts. regards Jaguar and have a nice day.
MrBreeze writes:
Thank you Jaguar for your post. I feel special knowing that I move you so much that you would take time from your Millionare vacation to reply to an "idiot" like me.
I can think of a 1,000 other things I would be doing than answering some newspaper blog on my vacation. I believe it just shows how scared you are of people like me.
Also, Are your host's charging to "Flophouse Rent" while you are there. Or, let me guess it is a trade right? You will "host" at your "flophouse" next. Maybee you can move to the UK sell on the island, and that would be one less "flophouse" to worry about. Enjoy, but do take time to read my posts you know you can't wait....... Breeze.
jaguar writes:
Mr B sorry for the delay in replying,but the last few days have been a little hectic.Have now moved to London and staying in a local flop house called CLARIDGES.I tell you now I am not charging enough for my place on Marco.Anyway with regard to the scared bit,I have to admit yesterday whilst watching Serena I really did have a major one, would you believe I nearly spilt strawberries and cream all down my Ralphy shirt but managed to get it in my mouth at the last moment phew a close encounter eh".Went last night to see Oliver at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane absolutely wonderful you should try it.My hosts were grateful for your concern about their accommadation whilst in Florida,but said not worry they find their property in Port Royal comfortable enough and would,nt want to impose on me,but thanks anyway.Must go now just off to see Roddick thrash Chardy.Always got time for old friends what have you been up to? Regards Jag.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.