by: Mark Whichard

Would you like to turn the clock back and go for a cruise in a 19th Century style paddlewheel boat on a river in Central Florida? Well, you can do it if you catch a ride on the Indian River Queen, a 99 foot triple deck paddle wheel steam boat that plies the waters near Cocoa Beach, Florida.

There are several Old South replica steamships vying for the attention of tourists in Florida but one of the most famous is the India River Queen. This is a triple deck riverboat that specializes in chartered voyages for special events. If you enter this spacious boat you will find yourself in the “Queens Room.” On this deck you will be treated to a non-smoking air conditioned room with a fully equipped bar, dance floor, buffet dinner and comfortable seating.

The boat also has more areas including a second deck where you will find a welcoming space with a bar and music. Go up one deck higher, to the upper deck and you will get a great view of the river and the night sky.

The Queen was not made up out of anyone’s imagination but is rather a true replica of the boats that used to go up and down the rivers of the U.S. during the 19th Century. The ship is so “real” that it has been used in a Denzel Washington film, “Out of Time,” as well is in a TV drama based on events during the Civil War.

The success of the Indian River Queen can be attributed to the entrepreneurial skills of Penny Sheridan Flaherty. Penny is an ardent promoter of Florida. She is a former Miss Florida USA and founded Island Boat Tours and Water Taxi-Eco Tours. Through these companies she offers daily tours in and around Florida’s “Space Coast.” In Florida she is well know as “The Boat Lady.”

The Indian River Queen can be rented for special events ranging from weddings, corporate gatherings, business luncheons, student tours, theme cruises, cocktail parties and others.

Most of the package tours feature live entertainment and you can choose from a traditional Dixieland band, southern rock, jazz, blues, country, disco, gospel, soul, reggae, steel drum, bluegrass, rock and roll.

If you are not planning your own event but would like to ride on the boat, you can also take advantage of the special cruises that are held throughout the year. There are special Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cruises and also cruises that coincide with spectacular launches at the space center at Cape Canaveral. Tickets to these cruises range from $30 to $45 and this includes dinner.

For more information about the Indian River Queen call 321-454-7414 or visit their website at www.indianriverqueen.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ride-in-an-old-fashioned-paddlewheel-boat-near-orlando-florida-768804.html

About the Author:

Mark Whichard is an Orlando tourism expert and writes frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. He is the proprietor of Key Vacation Homes and you can get great deals on Orlando Vacation Home Rentals at this website http://www.keyvacationhomes.com