File photo
Guiding Light cast members aboard the Marco Island Princess wave goodbye before the night of Cruisin' and Schmoozin , as part of last year's Southwest Florida SoapFest weekend. This event quickly sells out every year, as seating is limited on the crusie ship. For tickets, call Pat Berry at 394-4559 or e-mail soapfest@vsm.net.
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.
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