Barefoot Princess Offers Fun on the Intracoastal Waterway

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Mention the Barefoot Princess and most folks picture Cinderella after she lost her glass slipper at the stroke of midnight. But not on the Grand Strand, where the Barefoot Princess serves as a riverboat that takes passengers on a fairy tale adventure of their own.

Docked at the Barefoot Marina beside the popular Barefoot Landing shopping, dining and entertainment complex in North Myrtle Beach, the Barefoot Princess explores the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and gives guests a one of a kind view of the Grand Strand.

The three-story, 64 by 24 foot riverboat can accommodate up to 130 passengers, including enclosed and air-conditioned areas on the first and second floors with small open-air decks on both, and a large observation deck on top where you can see both river banks.

The Barefoot Princess offers three types of cruises throughout the year, each designed to offer a different slice of life on the Intracoastal Waterway. The Sightseeing Cruise, Sunset Cruise and Dinner Cruise provide distinctly different experiences for its guests.

The Sightseeing Cruises are held during the daytime so passengers can see for miles on both river banks. See the many attractions that line the east banks and the natural beauty of the Strand to the west, as well as the other boats that sail the Waterway. Scenic trees, tributary creeks, swampy coves and native wildlife are part of the tour, as are manmade structures such as marinas, golf courses and beautiful neighborhoods.

The sunset cruise also offers the same breathtaking sights during the daylight hours, but the real show starts when the sun goes down. Passengers flock to the observation deck and the western-facing windows to see the spectacular array of colors as the sun sinks below the horizon. If you sail on Mondays, the Barefoot Princess returns to dock just in time to see the weekly fireworks show light up the skies over Barefoot Landing.

The Dinner Cruise offers live music and a huge buffet that includes Country-Style Barbecue Ribs, Grilled Chicken, a wide selection of side items, such as mashed potatoes and green beans, tossed salad, bread and beverages. There is a full bar for adults to enjoy a refreshing drink. After dinner, dance to the live music on the second deck or retire to the observation deck and enjoy the scenery while you let your meal settle.

The Barefoot Princess also offers select specialty cruises, such as the current Oldies Music Cruise that features bands performing old-school music from the good old days. Private Group Cruises are also available for special events and functions, including weddings and office Christmas parties, and groups of 25 or more can receive special rates on all the regular cruises. Advanced reservations are required for all tours by calling 843-272-2140.

Ticket prices vary by cruise, sailing time and the passengers’ ages. The Sightseeing Cruise is the least expensive at $19 for adults and $11 for children ages 3-12. Special tickets allow one child to sail for free with each paid adult. The Sunset Cruise is $20 for adults and $12 for children, and the Dinner Cruise is $39 for adults and $22 for children. Children under 3 are admitted free with a paid adult for all cruises.

Guests are asked to park in the lot beside Greg Norman's Australian Grille and board the ship at the marked area of the Barefoot Marina. Cruise times vary and passengers should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled sail time. Many choose to make a full day out of the adventure by spending time before and after the cruise at the shops, restaurants and attractions at Barefoot Landing.

 

(Posted: 8/6/15)