dolphin cruise lines

• What Ever Happened To........???

By kelleya , October 19, 2004 in What Ever Happened To........???

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My first cruise was back in the mid eighties on Dolphin Cruise Line, on the Dolphin IV. What ever happened to this cruise line and ship, does anyone know? If I remember, weren't they bought out by someone? Thanks for any help you may give!

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We took our senior cruise on the Dolphin back in '80. Small ship with horrible AC. Was met by the Captain on the gangway coming back from the Bahamas. He almost tossed me! There is still a Dolphin around, don't know if it's the same ship.

dougnewmanatsea

Dolphin Cruise Lines merged with Premier in 1997, but DOLPHIN IV was not part of the merger. In 1996 she was sold to a company called Cape Canaveral Cruise Line and operated short cruises from Port Canaveral. The ship was taken out of service in 2000 because of corroded tanks. Cape Canaveral attempted to find a replacement but did not, and went under. DOLPHIN IV was laid-up at Freeport until February 2003 when she was sold for scrap. She was beached at Alang, India in April 2003 and broken up.

This is a ship with a long and fascinating history. She was built in 1956 in Germany as ZION for Zim Israel Lines. A decade later in 1966 she was sold to Portuguese owners and renamed AMELIA DE MILO. She was then sold in 1972 to Greek owners, Ulysses Cruises, and renamed ITHACA. She was extensively rebuilt into a cruise ship and was chartered to various UK package tour operators until 1979. At that point Ulysses entered into a joint venture with the French shipping company Paquet, called Paquet Ulysses Cruises. They renamed the ship DOLPHIN IV, and she entered service in the Caribbean. In 1984 Paquet pulled out and Dolphin Cruise Line was born; they later formed a holding company called Cruise Holdings which bought out Premier and Seawind. By 1996 DOLPHIN IV did not fit in even with the aged Cruise Holdings fleet and with the impending merger of their three lines into the reborn (and ill-fated) Premier, they sold her. The rest of her history is described above.

Wow! Thanks for the info!! I had no idea that ship had such a history. It's almost sad she's gone now....She may have been little, but we sure had a great time on her...

Thanks again!

I forgot the history of the Dolphin myself (I even forgot the "IV" on her name until I saw the thread!).

I was on the Dolphin a long time ago as well...always had a good time on my early cruises, though looking back it was in pretty bad shape at the time!

(BTW - my graphic has the wrong date for the Dolphin cruise...I was trying to rebuild my cruise history by memory when I made the graphic, but after checking all my slides and photos, I discovered I was off on my Mardi Gras, Dolphin, and Holiday dates. I need to make a new signature...this time with official years and months of each cruise).

• 2 weeks later...

My first cruise was on Dolphin Cruise Line's Seabreeze, and I remember how the size of the ship amazed me. Then this year I went on the Carnival Legend and realized it could probably hold three Seabreezes!

I heard that the Seabreeze "mysteriously" sank, no one on board.

I still have fond memories of that first cruise, and hope to continue cruising every year. You can't beat the value for a vacation!

• 7 months later...

Serendipity50

Me and DH cruised on the Dolphin, too Grand Bahama it was really special, we got to swim with Dolphins etc, but the best was we were asked to sit on the Captains table! still think it was a dream to this day, but, boy do I bore people with those photographs!! Shame she is still not in service, #

Wonderful memories:)

Hubby and I were on the DOLPHIN IV around 1991. I have video of it somewhere.... I remember taking a zoom of the orderly string of lights on the deck of Carnival's brand new FANTASY docked next to us in Nassau, and then panning to our pitiful little string of lights going every which way, quite a contrast. One night hubby and I were up on top deck and noticed the ship was listing to the right. We asked the captain about that the next day and he said that the ballast was uneven. (???) We had rough seas one night, and, being on the lowest deck, looked out our porthole to see water splashing up over it! I got some video of that too. I remember great food and a live pianist right next to our table in the dining room. We really enjoyed our short 4 day cruise on the Dolphin. I'm sorry to hear that she is no more.

Dolphin remains my favorite cruise line of all time. Few have come close. I regret having never sailed on Dolphin IV... she was eventually transferred to Cape Canaveral Cruise Line, and we were in the process of booking when the line went out of business.

I was the cruise director on the Dolphin IV....for a short stint when she was still with DCL, (1995) and then for a year and a half when she was with Cape Canaveral. Although she was old, and a little beat up, I had the most wonderful time on her...it was certainly lacking in a lot of amenities, but I think the staff and crew worked extra hard to make up for it, and I hope we gave some people a memorable experience.

It saddens me to think of her beached in India, and torn apart.....but I guess it happens to us all in one way or another eventually...right?

By the way, if anyone is cruising the Caribbean Princess this summer, I will be on board as part of the duo in the Wheelhouse Lounge. Please stop by and say hello to myself and my partner Faline. We are called "Elua".

• 3 weeks later...

My very first cruise was on the Dolphin. Was there more than one? I know it was the smallest of the fleet. I remember it had a dolphin on the stack. I had never seen a cruise ship and I thought it was huge inside--until we went into port with some other cruise ships. lol. I had beautiful memories of that ship. We had a round type of bunk built into the wall with such narrow stairs to the bottom where we were. I think the disco was in the bottom too! I fell in love with cruising on that ship.

I never sailed on Dolphin, but worked on the Crown line out of the Port of Palm Beach. We had a comedian onboard by the name of "Carme", I remember him saying he was also a regular on Dolphin. Anyone remember him?

I remember the disco being all the way at the bottom of the ship. And the hallways were so narrow compared to what I see now.

The food and service were great on Dolphin and I enjoyed my cruise on her a lot.

• 5 months later...

wow, my first cruise was on the dolphin IV i think the summer of '99....i took my two kids, i was a single mom at the time, and we had a wonderful time! i never could remember what cruise line she was with though...thanks for all the info

• 1 month later...

I was on the Dolphin about 22 years ago. What a horrible experience. I never realized until I was older how small the ship was. I was seasick the whole time.

We had a short conversation with a couple last night that went on their 1st & only cruise on the Dolphin cruiseline. We had never heard of it before. They said they liked the cruise, but they got tired of always having to change their clothes for breakfast, lunch, & dinner before going to eat in the Dining Room. Did the cruiseline have buffets? I don't know which ship they were on.

The Dolphin was a cruise ship that sailed a long time ago from Miami to the Bahamas on short cruises.

No, they had a very nice dinining room with very good food. The ship was VERY small and quite old and basic but IMO the food was among the best of the short cruises. I cruised on Dolphin II in the early 80s.

I have no idea what they are talking about regarding clothing. There was one formal night on board and people dressed well each night for dinner. That was in the days before cruising got so commercial and people started wearing jeans and shorts to dinner.

They are no more.

pansypotter

I used to be a Purser on the Dolphin. I've read through the comments and agree the A/C was a problem - I used to deal with all the complaints! The cruises were twice a week. Nassau and Nassau/Freeport. It was one of the smallest ships doing these cruises. One of my memories was entering a lifeboat race with another ship's lifeboat/crewmembers. I was the cox and I gave the wrong order and turned the boat the wrong way! At least we came second! LOL:D

Just poking around the boards when I decided to search for my first cruise ship - yup, the Ithaca in July 1978. My DH & I had booked a honeymoon to Seawind Island in Jamaica that got cancelled. The TA convinced the owner to send us on our first cruise. It took us another 20 years to start cruising again, but I'll never forget that first cruise. I remember sitting on deck throwing empty bottles of wine over the side (how bad is that!), partying until the wee hours. The slot machines (maybe 10) were in the bar along one wall and a very very small room was set aside to play roulette and maybe 2 poker tables. Our beds were 2 very small singles (some honeymoon), but we laughed and used them both. Our cabin was right beside the dining room (which is smaller than most theatres now). Our waiter, George, (funny how I remember that after all these years) spoiled my husband rotten. The waiters used to bring dinner on large trays and serve from platters. After George served everyone, he would scrape all the rest of the food from the platters onto his plate. Too funny.

Well, thanks for the memories. Heading off on an eastern Caribbean in 10 more sleeps.

Our first cruise was also on dolphin back in thearly 90's. It is still by far the best food and service we have ever had on our 10 cruises. It is what also got us hooked on cruising

• 4 weeks later...

Sailed on this tug 8 years ago. There was a huge cold snap in April believe it or not. If you thought the AC had problems, the heat was non existent. No stabilizers, I was soooooo sick. Baloney on the buffet!

xcruisestaff

It's hilarious to read these posts about the great food! The staff's food was so awful. I lived on Rice Krispies for my time working on that ship. The staff got passenger food on the other ships but not that one. I'm sure it was great food though, Apollo did an awesome job.

That was such a fun ship to work on. :) It was always the best when officers, staff, & crew could all hang out together. Key West was such a great port for that too (just every other week). Loved, loved, loved working that ship, even though the SeaBreeze was my absolute fave!

• 8 months later...

As I understand it, there was a SHIP called the Dolphin (not sure what line it belonged to), and a LINE called Dolphin Cruise Line, which eventually merged with Premier.

My husband and I took a 4 day cruise on Dolphin's Seabreeze in 1996--it was one of those bargain basement specials where the price was just too good to pass up! :D

The ship was really small, especially since the cruise we took before that one was RCCL's Majesty of the Seas! (Which, at the time was brand spanking new and one of the biggest ships). We were impressed that our room on the Seabreeze was quite large and thought the food was pretty good. Not up to RCCL's standards, to be sure, but definitely worth the price we paid! ;) I also recall that the staff was great--really wonderful service. And the decor of the ship was hideous!

I remember taking a cruise on Dolphin back in the early 90s. It was a last minute special when our regular plans fell through, and they gave us a "run of the ship" cabin. It turned out to be an inside directly over the disco that was located on the bottom of the ship, end every night at 10pm our walls would start vibrating from the heavy bass. It was amazing. We had a couple people from the cruise line come to our cabin and they acted shocked, but of course the ship was full and we couldn't be moved. Right. We still had a great time! I loved the old small ships, but then again I was much younger and much more easily impressed. I have old video of the noise and vibrating walls and pipes, if I can find it and convert it to WMV I'll try to post it. It was pretty funny.

Cruising89143

I sailed on the Seabreeze back in 94 when she was under the Dolphin line. To this day that ship had the best food and service of any ship that I have cruised. Also one of the most comfortable beds too.

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What Happened to the Dolphin Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

The Dolphin Cruise Ship had been a beloved fixture in the Gulf of Mexico for more than two decades. It had become a popular tourist attraction and was known for its high-quality service, delicious food, and luxurious amenities. Unfortunately, the ship has not been seen since October 2017.

The last time the Dolphin Cruise Ship was seen was on October 15th, 2017 as it left port in Florida to embark on a three-day trip around the Gulf of Mexico. After that, it vanished without a trace. The ship’s owner, Captain John Smith, immediately reported the vessel missing to authorities and search efforts were launched to find it.

The search lasted several weeks but no trace of the vessel or its crew was ever found. There were some theories about what might have happened to the Dolphin Cruise Ship but none could be proven with any certainty. Some speculated that it had sunk due to mechanical failure or bad weather conditions; others suggested that it had been hijacked by pirates or drug smugglers; and still others theorized that it had simply disappeared into thin air.

Regardless of what happened to the Dolphin Cruise Ship, its disappearance is still a mystery today. No one knows exactly what happened to it or where it is now. The ship’s owner and crew remain unaccounted for and there has been no sign of them since October 2017.

Conclusion:

The disappearance of the Dolphin Cruise Ship remains a mystery today with no one knowing exactly what happened to the vessel or where it is now. Its owner and crew remain unaccounted for and there has been no sign of them since October 2017.

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The Original Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise

• Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise with The Hurricane Fleet
• Trips Departing Daily
• 2 Hour Trip
• Scenic Cruise (Bring your camera)
• Family Friendly
• Bathroom Onboard
• Naturalist Led
• Vacation Highlight Since 1985
• Trip Calendar Listed Below w/ Dates & Times
• Sunset Trips Available
• $35 Adults / $26 Kids
• Free Shark tooth for everyone onboard!
• Call 843-249-3571 or Book Online

The Hurricane Fleet is the Original Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise company. We operate out of the closest port to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing for more time on the water….to search for Dolphins.

On days when the  shrimp boats are running, we are able to pull right up behind to watch the dolphins feeding off the scraps and the nets coming out of the ocean full of fun critters. When the shrimp boat is running, the crew will toss up a bag of goodies for you to see, learn about, and touch if you’d like.

Our base is a cozy, quaint fishing town offering some of the world’s best seafood and unique shops. Located about 10 minutes outside of North Myrtle Beach, at the closest port to the ocean, you’ll have more time on the ocean enjoying the beautiful views of the Myrtle Beach area coastline.

This Dolphin Cruise & Tour runs from 1:30-3:30 pm and 4:00 – 6:00 pm most days. We often add a third trip as well. On select days we offer the Dolphin Cruise around sunset. This very popular trip often sells out fast. Whichever tour you take, you’ll have time to eat fresh, world class seafood right in the village before or after your trip. It’s a fantastic combo that families have been enjoying for years. Bring your camera , this is one tour that you’ll want to share.

IMAGINE THIS : Your dolphin tour begins with a nice cruise through the jettys and out into the ocean. As the Myrtle Beach coastline comes into view, our 90-foot tour boat cruises the coast in search of dolphins, giving you a full view of the coastline. This is an excellent way to see the area from a different perspective, while cruising along in a comfortable setting.

This Myrtle Beach dolphin cruise is a trip for the young, and old. Bring the whole family. Every kid on this trip will get a Free Shark Tooth to take home with them.

More information about our fishing charters and company can be found on our About Us page.

For more on dolphins in the wild, visit NOAA

Departs Daily from the Closest port to the ocean.

Loved everything about the dolphin tour. Sadly we didn't see any dolphins, but the Capitan & crew were phenomenal. The boat ride was glorious! The scenery was beyond beautiful! Honestly, for the price, even without seeing any dolphins, I'd absolutely pay to do it again. Very much worth it!

By far the best dolphin cruise we have been on! Great crew, very informative and amazing dolphin sightings, plus the captain got right behind the shrimp boat so we could watch them pull their nets and dump the shrimp. It was AMAZING!!

We saw Dolphins!

We did the Dolphin tour. We saw several dolphins. It was well worth it to get out on the ocean. My daughter did get a little sea sick but got through it and obviously it was no fault of hurricane fleet just bring some dramamine along.

We took a trip with the Hurricane fleet crew, dolphin adventures. Fun ride, interesting facts, the dolphins were scarce on this day but, I would love to do it again.

Best dolphin cruise out there!

Great experience we went on the dolphin cruise and everyone had a good time.

Amazing experience!!! All of the crew were wonderful. Aaron was amazing and help us out so so much. We will visit again soon Thanks from Zoe and Dan

One of the highlights of our beach trip. My 3 year old keeps talking about it. I was nervous about taking a toddler on a 2 hour trip with no guarantees but I booked the dolphin sunset cruise in the morning and we were on the water watching dolphins that evening. There’s something to do the whole trip. The ride out on the Intracoastal Waterway has scenery, seagulls that occasionally fly along with the boat, and the Captain has facts about what you’re passing. Once out on the ocean, the Captain had the boat next to a pod of dolphins within 10 minutes. Before leaving the dock he said he had to have the boat back at a certain time but then stayed out a few extra minutes because a separate pod of dolphins showed up right as we were about to head in. The ride back to the dock was relaxing. The weather had cooled off, the water was smooth, and you head down the waterway facing the setting sun. Perfect spot to grab a picture then sit back and take it in. Didn’t know what to expect so we packed some snacks in a small bag but they had a snack bar and on the way in one of the crew had something going on a grill. We’ll go back next year for sure and will recommend it to anyone in the area on vacation.

I cannot believe how many dolphins we saw today! They were so beautiful. We had the best day. I definitely recommend this!

Great time here! Great staff, good value. Everything you need available. They have burgers, hot dogs, drinks, snacks, supplies Would definitely go with them again!

These guys were absolutely amazing! Just don’t bring bananas! Our family of seven took a dolphin cruise. Well worth the value, the crew on board was absolutely amazing! They showed the kids shark teeth shark jaws the captain got us right on dolphins. And just made it a very memorable experience. It gets windy on the water, bring a jacket, also be prepared for a fun ride! A special thanks to crew members, Callie and Colby, and a guy I never caught his name, but he had some slick sunglasses! Haha. Thank you! We took the 1:30p cruise.

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843-651-3676

are you ready for

The best part of your vacation, we have the ultimate dolphin cruise adventures ready for you, get $3 off your ticket keep scrolling for details, 4 epic dolphin experiences, **celebrating 20 years cruising out of murrells inlet**, experienced, honest and so much fun.

Tursi-ops Dolphin cruise

-TURSI-OPS offers 360 degree viewing for your Best Murrells Inlet Dolphin Cruise experience. - Our Tours spend the most time and cover the largest area of any tour. -Get the most Bang for your Buck! - Be sure to book online ahead of time to secure your spots on our epic adventure! -We take a maximum of 40 passengers and every seat has a view! -Our tours are packed with information about Dolphins, wildlife, the local area and oceans. In general, morning dolphin watch tours (8am, 9:45am & 11:45am) offer the best sea conditions for wildlife viewing. In general, afternoon tours (1:45, 3:45 & 5:45) sea conditions can be a bit bumpier for a more thrilling ride.

Osprey premium dolphin cruise

THE PREMIUM DOLPHIN WATCH EXPERIENCE! -Why you ask? Quite simply… it puts you in the action! - We have the only boat in Myrtle Beach where you can actually sit on the sponsons, get a little wet from the sea spray & put yourself level with the dolphins! -Bench seating is also available. -Our Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise in Murrells Inlet gives you the best way to see the beauty of Murrells Inlet and the wildlife along the Atlantic coast. -The Osprey gets quickly thru Murrells Inlet so you have the most time for wildlife viewing. -This tour is a very personal and interactive experience. - The OSPREY takes a maximum of 15 passengers.

Private Dolphin Watch and Ocean Life Experiences

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Rent the Tursi-Ops for you and your party on this private charter! We can take up to 40 passengers for your private dolphin watch experience! The Tursi-Ops is the perfection solution.

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The Premium Dolphin Watch Exeperience ALL BY YOURSELVES! Rent the Osprey on this private charter to see dolphins up close and enjoy with your own group.

WE ARE THE PREMIER DOLPHIN WATCH CRUISE IN MYRTLE BEACH!​

At Blue Wave Adventures safety is first and foremost on every tour. USCG inspected and custom-built vessels for your safety and comfort. Licensed Master Captains with over 35 plus years of experience.

You never know what you’ll see!, but you are guaranteed a GREAT time! The original and most experienced Dolphin Watch Tour in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, SC! We have over 40 named Dolphins from our years of experience on the water.

Blue Wave Adventures is a great time for families! We are the ONLY Dolphin Watch Cruise in Myrtle Beach with 360-degree viewing and individual forward facing seats **For your safety, we do not take children under age 3 or expecting mothers on our tours

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what you can expect

We’ll be touring through the beautiful Murrells Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach, and along the majestic Atlantic coastline for a good hour and a half of excitement, relaxation, and educational learning.

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Under Stay & Play and then boat tour!

ISLAND ADVENTURE DOLPHIN CRUISE

The largest cruise fleet, in tarpon springs, tarpon springs, florida.

BOOK AN island CRUISE TODAY!

With a bonus beach excursion! 2 hours | $18.95 (adults)

Great for couples! 2 hours | $20 (adults)

Great for couples! 2 hours | $57.75 (adults)

With beach excursion! 2 hours | $19.95 (adults)

Come have fun at Spongeorama - Dolphin Cruises in Tarpon Springs

 boat tours in tarpon springs - island beach and river cruises in tarpon springs - florida, we are located in the heart of the tarpon springs sponge docks. your family will have a breath taking experience touring the beautiful waters of the anclote river and the gulf of mexico. dolphin cruise tarpon springs you will be looking for dolphins, manatees, birds, the anclote lighthouse and other historical sites. our beach excursion cruise lets you disembark and look for shells on the island.  island adventure dolphin cruises is the only tarpon springs cruise that allows you to park your car, take a relaxing sightseeing cruise, enjoy two free attractions (our sponge diving movie and museum), and shop until the end of your night...  all at the very same location  tickets are available at sponge-o-rama sponge factory. space is very limited, each cruise only boards 49 passengers. book online – we sell out often we have a brand new beach ramp safe & easy our new ramp to the front of the cruise makes it easy and safe to get on and off the beach. just take a few steps down the ramp right onto the island  we have the largest and safest sightseeing boat at the sponge docks. our large 45′ fiberglass catamaran rides high in the water providing the most comfortable ride and you won’t get all wet come have fun at spongeorama - dolphin cruises in tarpon springs, boat tours in tarpon springs - river cruises in tarpon springs - florida.

Spongeorama Dining and Dolphin Cruises

Do you plan to visit Tarpon Springs? Join Spongeorama Cruise Lines at the Sponge Docks for a dolphin cruise. Your family and friends will enjoy the breathtaking tour of the Anclote River and Gulf of Mexico. We even provide cruise options for special occasions and events.  Come have fun at Spongeorama Dolphin Cruises in Tarpon Springs,  Boat Tours in Tarpon Springs, River Cruises in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  Our Dolphin Cruise Options in Tarpon Springs 

During each of our dolphin cruise tours, you'll be on the lookout for dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. There's also a chance to see rare birds like the bald eagle, piping plover and American oystercatcher. 

Our knowledgeable captain will teach you about historical sites in the area, such as the Anclote Keys Light lighthouse and Anclote Key Preserve State Park. However, each of our Tarpon Springs dolphin cruises offers something unique depending on what you want to do: 

• Daytime Dolphin Adventure – This dolphin cruise is our most popular in Tarpon Springs. What's special about this cruise is that you'll be able to get out of the boat to experience a beach excursion during the day. 

• Sunset Dolphin Tour – This dolphin cruise allows you to relax as you view the sunset over the Gulf Coast. 

• Daytime Dining Cruise – Like our daytime dolphin cruise, you'll get to enjoy some of the beach during our Tarpon Springs dining cruise. Before we depart, though, we include an authentic meal at Yianni's Greek Cuisine, which is at the Sponge Docks. 

• Premiere Dining Cruise – We combine the greatest parts of each of our dolphin cruise options into this one. You can have any meal from the full menu at Yianni's Greek Cuisine before departing Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. During the tour, you'll see the sun set over the Gulf Coast and have the chance to walk the beach. 

Our Unique Offerings in Tarpon Springs 

Spongeorama Cruise Lines has the safest, largest sightseeing boat in Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. At 45 feet, our fiberglass catamaran sits high in the water so that your ride is comfortable and dry. 

Our dolphin cruise boat has a full liquor bar, and we offer drink specials regularly. It also has a sound system for music and a snack bar. These features allow us to make your special events memorable. 

We can host 30 to 49 people for private parties such as corporate events, birthdays, family reunions, weddings and more. Our vessel has plenty of room for food and gifts too. Simply book your Tarpon Springs party cruise in advance to secure a date on our limited charter schedule. 

Our dolphin cruise line offers trips for the sensitive moments in life as well. If you've recently lost a loved one, we can provide the proper send-off as you scatter his or her ashes at sea. 

In addition, the fun doesn't have to end after your dolphin cruise. You can walk through our sponge museum and watch our sponge diving movie for free. Don't forget to hit the gift shop before you leave. 

Take your family and friends on an adventure that they won't forget. Visit Spongeorama Cruise Lines in Tarpon Springs at the Sponge Docks. Dolphin Cruises in Tarpon Springs, Boat Tours in Tarpon Springs, River Cruises in Tarpon Springs, Florida. 

PLACES TO VISIT

Sponge-o-rama sponge factory.

Visit the world famous Sponge-O-Rama Sponge Factory.

The worlds largest selection of natural sponges, souvenirs, bath & beauty products, jewelry, and more! 

Don't miss out on the two free attractions and discount coupons! 

https://spongeorama.com

YIANNI'S GREEK CUISINE

Traditional Greek food with a modern flare. Yianni's is the newest and hottest restaurant on the sponge docks. Yianni's features authentic Greek cooking with old family recipes coming from the Greek Islands. Located in the historic Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, Yianni's is your best pick for a quick trip to Greece!

https://yiannisgreek.com

 Boat Tours in Tarpon Springs - River Cruises in Tarpon Springs - Florida

Sightseeing charters, sunset cruises & special events.

Our Sunset Cruises are perfect for that romantic getaway. Make your next special event even more memorable

by booking a private cruise for private parties, family reunions, weddings and corporate events.

Turn any day or evening into a special occasion on our cruise line. Enjoy viewing the famous Anclote Lighthouse,

and Tarpon Springs historical sites, as well as some of the best that nature has to offer. Dolphin Cruise Tarpon Springs

Our cruise line is handicapped accessible and offers a snack bar, full bar, music, viewing areas, and restrooms.

Come have fun at Spongeorama - Dolphin Cruises in Tarpon Springs Boat Tours in Tarpon Springs 

River Cruises in Tarpon Springs - Florida

Birthday Parties on the Beach

Throw the Best Birthday Party Ever! Everyone will be talking about this birthday party for a long time. Bring your

friends for an all out blast on our Island Beach Birthday Party Cruise. Cruise down the Anclote river out to the

Gulf of Mexico while listening to music, watching the sites, and enjoying your favorite beverages.

We’ll beach the boat and let you and your friends off to party, swim, look for shells, and stroll the beach.

Our boat has enough room to bring your cake, presents, and food. This Party Cruise is perfect for ALL ages.

Bring 30 of your closest friends for a great time.

Come have fun at Spongeorama  Dolphin Cruise in Tarpon Springs

 boat tour in tarpon springs - river cruise in tarpon springs - florida.

Party Cruises need to be booked well in advance and there is a limited schedule for charters.

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About Tarpon Springs

The first settlers in the area now known as Tarpon Springs were A.W. Ormond and his daughter, Mary. They arrived in 1876. They built a cabin near Spring Bayou. J.C. Boyer, an adventurer from Nassau, sailed into the Bayou. He and Mary Ormond were soon married.

One year after the arrival of the Ormonds, George Inness, an American landscape artist, discovered the beauty in the Bayou. He and his son, George, Jr., painted the scenes found in the area.

Mary was very pleased with her home. She especially liked the great fish that inhabited the Bayou. They would leap into the air and spray water. In 1879, she named the small settlement Tarpon Springs. (Actually the fish were mullet, not tarpon!)

In 1880, Hamilton Disston, a wealthy saw manufacture, bought four million acres of the central west coast of Florida from the Governor for 25 cents an acre. This saved the state from bankruptcy. Included in the purchase was Tarpon Springs.

In 1884, a post office was established in Tarpon Springs. Soon the railroad arrived and a depot was built to accommodate passengers and freight. Through the efforts and investments of Disston, Tarpon Springs was fashioned into an exclusive winter resort for wealthy Northerners.

The early sponge divers created a need at the docks for eating places for the boat crews. Then as news of the industry grew, people began coming to the docks to see the sponges. Shops opened so people could buy the sponges and other souvenirs.

Sponge buyers created the Sponge Exchange in 1907. A building with a courtyard was erected in which each sponger could store his catch while awaiting the auctions that took place twice a week.

With the perfection of deep-sea diving equipment, the dollar amount of sponge harvests continued to increase. Divers were able to go deeper into the sea for longer lengths of time. For 30 years, the sponge industry was the largest industry in Florida—larger than citrus or tourism. Tarpon Springs was known as the “Sponge Capital of the World.”

In the 1940s, blight reduced the growth of sponges. By the 1950s, sponging as a profitable industry was nearly wiped out. However in the 1980s, new sponge beds were found. Now, Tarpon Springs is back to being a leader in the world’s natural sponge market. All aspects of the sponge industry are available to view in Tarpon Springs, from the harvesting of the sponges, all the way to the auctions that are now held weekly at the Sponge Docks.

In addition to seeing the history of sponge harvesting, visitors can experience the Greek influence. Greek restaurants and shops are scattered throughout the area. Seafood, Greek salads, and pastries are particularly popular. Many visitors attend Greek Festivals. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral was modeled after the great Byzantine cathedrals such as St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople and is open daily to visitors.

Today, Spring Bayou, site of the first settlement, is still a delightful place. Visitors can stroll along the winding streets and see houses that reflect the grandeur of the wealthy who came to Tarpon Springs each year to escape the harsh Northern winters. Tarpon Springs still has a peacefulness and quaint charm. 

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Tarpon Springs - Florida

In 1887, Tarpon Springs was incorporated. It had a population of 52 residents. John Cheney, a promoter associated with Disston, discovered money could be made by harvesting the sponges growing in the waters of the Gulf. Although Tarpon Springs was successful as a resort, it wasn’t long before the sponge industry became the community’s most important industry.

By 1890, the sponge industry was firmly established in Tarpon Springs. The Cheney Sponge Company sold almost a million dollars worth of sponges that year.

In the next few years, experienced divers from Greece were brought to Tarpon Springs. By using rubberized diving suits and helmets, they increased harvests. By 1905, over 500 Greek sponge divers were at work using 50 boats. 

About the Anclote River

Anclote, an island on the southwest coast of Florida; also, a river flowing into the gulf at that locality dates back to early Spanish times. The Spaniards called these islands Cabo de Anclote because ships had to use a kedge to winch their way through the shallow water or the winding channels. And early French sailors called the islands Cap d’Anclote, which, of course, has the same meaning as Cabo de Anclote.

After the close of the Civil War, Frederic Meyer in 1867 settled at Anclote about one and one half miles north of the river, about 100 yards west of the Anclote cemetery. He was later followed a few months later by his brother, Franklin B. Meyer.

At the Anclote river mouth, a historian has it that there exist a clear sparkling spring only 25 feet from the beach where early buccaneers watered their ships and it’s called the “Spanish Well”. The “Spanish Well” was discovered by Vasco da Gama and Pinida early in the 16th century.

In 1528, Since the Spaniards had treated the Indians with great disgust, the Indians fought back with ever weapon they could when Pantilo Narvez attempted to water his ships at the “Spanish Well.”. Narvez tried to show the Indians his peaceful gesture but was not accepted by the Indians which gave him no other option than to give up and sail away.

Tarpon Spring did not exist until about 1875, so Tampa was the closest town that was only accessible through the forest. But Tarpon Springs became a city when the railroad was built through it and ended the dream of Anclote continuing to grow as the main community.

Today, Anclote is a center for vacationer with it’s quiet shady streets and it’s people are satisfied with picnics, fishing and sailing their boats in the gulf and fishing down the river.

The river is endowed with saw grass marshes, sea oats, and mangroves and is one of few unspoiled lands in our coastal area.

On the gulf side of the island is a beautiful, unspoiled white sand beach stretching from the northern end all the way to the southern tip. On both the northern and southern extreme ends of the island are shallow areas that are constantly shifting due to currents and hurricanes.

The natural flora and fauna of Anclote is unique. There are ponds in the woods that have phosphorescent algae that literally glows in the dark. As you traverse across the Anclote River numerous

trees like oak, bay, magnolia, palmetto, and palm are adorned by yellow Jasmin, Spanish moss, and air plants. This natural work of art gets reflected on the clear waters of the river, along the shores, to make for a truly captivating sight.

As you pass across the clear waters you might see alligators sunbathing on the sandy banks or on dry logs, sometimes rapidly moving into the waters. You will see animals such as turtles, an eclectic array of large fishes in their underwater habitat, and different kinds of birds such as cranes, herons and other colorful birds, singing and playing, both above you and wading in crystal waters of this peaceful sanctuary.

The Anclote River is of great historical and natural importance. It has been on the maps since the mid-1500s. The river passes through the northern boundaries of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It makes its way from deep remote sources and across miles of elevated banks that are lush with tropical foliage. Come have fun at Spongeorama - Dolphin Cruises in Tarpon Springs - Boat Tours in Tarpon Springs - River Cruises in Tarpon Springs - Florida

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HERE'S WHAT YOUR PEERS HAD TO SAY

Went on the two hour cruise yesterday at 6pm, and we all had a great time, especially the kids. The crew had the kids and adults laughing the entire time. I wanted to video the whole trip there were so many funny antics. My kids were asking today if we could go again. The weather for the 6pm sailing was great for July since it had rained earlier in the day and therefore not too hot.

Great hosts and a wonderful family atmosphere for my kids and grandkids. I highly recommend this cruise for a fun sunset evening. Wish more companies were as full of integrity as this one.

My family and I enjoyed the cruise. It was beautiful, plus we did get to see some dolphins. The entire process was very easy...from booking to getting the tickets to boarding.. I highly recommend it!

Great experience, we loved it. Lots of dolphins, excellent crew, awesome Captain. Enjoyed the great sceneries and a lot of fun!!!

Wonderful people and awesome views, especially the sunset view.

The crew was very friendly and helpful and the captain was informative as well as funny. And, we saw several dolphins!

We were very pleased. We saw many dolphins and sharks and the Captain and crew couldn't have been more informative or helpful. Very family-friendly and that made a huge impression on me. I would highly recommend this as a nice outing while visiting the area.

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• Cruise History

Remembering 14 Cruise Lines of the Past

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• May 5, 2022

Most of us think of the big names currently in the industry when someone mentions a cruise line.  Some of us have extended knowledge of cruising and can therefore name a bunch of the smaller companies as well.

There are many cruise lines from ghosts’ past that used to be at the top of their game, but for different reasons, ended up going out of business or merging, only to be forgotten.

History buffs will especially enjoy this: I give you 14 former cruise lines that either you have never even heard of, or had long forgotten about. Although, you may recognize some of the ships.

1. Admiral Cruises

Admiral Cruises, which sailed on the eastern and western U.S. coasts, was formed in 1986 when three cruise lines merged together: Eastern Cruise Lines, Western Cruise Lines, and Sundance Cruise Lines. When the lines came together, each had only one ship, creating a three-ship fleet.

In 1988, the line announced that it had ordered a new vessel called Future Seas. In that same year, Admiral Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Shortly after the merger, the order for Future Seas was transferred to Royal Caribbean and became that line’s ship Nordic Empress when she debuted in 1990. In 2004, she was renamed Empress of the Seas.

In 1990, Stardancer (which had been Sundance Cruise Lines’ ship) was also transferred to Royal Caribbean and was renamed Viking Serenade.

In late 1991, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ended the Admiral Cruises brand and its two remaining ships — Azure Seas and Emerald Seas — were sold.

2. Commodore Cruise Line

Commodore Cruise Line was founded the same year that Norwegian Caribbean Line (now Norwegian Cruise Line) began operations – 1966.  Wallenius Lines acquired a ferry that was originally ordered by Lion Ferry, who had canceled their order.

This proved good for Commodore, as they reached an agreement with Wallenius who finished the ferry as a cruise ship, and chartered it to Commodore.  It became the first company to operate week-long cruises out of Florida year-round.  In the years to follow, Commodore Cruise Line was acquired by Rederi Ab Sally, and the company acquired more ships for Commodore, then eventually reverted back to just one.

In 1987, Rederi Ab Sally was sold to its competitors Effoa and Johnson Line, which was later merged into EffJohn.  Later, EffJohn decided to merge Bermuda Star Line into Commodore, therefore acquiring a few more ships.  In 1995, Commodore was sold to JeMJ Financial Services, who continued their operations.

Ultimately, in January 2001, after facing harsh competition, Commodore Cruise Line filed for bankruptcy.

3. Crown Cruise Line

This small, upper-class cruise line was founded in 1984 and was based in Boca Raton, Florida.  Their first ship was called Viking Princess,  and operated out of San Diego before being transferred to Palm Beach for Bahamas sailings.  The line bought a second ship from a Spanish shipping company, and it underwent a refit to become a cruise ship in 1986.

After another ship joining the line, a 45,000 terminal was built for Crown at the Port of Palm Beach in 1990.  The recession and Gulf War in 1991 affected consumer spending for cruise vacations, and the line had to scale back their business.

Crown Cruise Line was split in two by their parent company, Grundstad Maritime, and part became Palm Beach Cruises, and the other part was turned over to Commodore Cruise Line.

All together, Crown Cruise Line had five ships of their own before the business fell apart and they were all leased or sold to other operators.  The cruise line officially ceased to exist in 2001.

4. Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Cruise & Maritime Services International formed Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in 2009 after its German-based Transocean Tours cruise line filed for bankruptcy. The British line marketed itself towards a more mature audience, being a more traditional line on smaller ocean ships and river ships and requiring that passengers be 16 or older.

In 2009 and 2010, Cruise & Maritime Voyages chartered its first two ships: Marco Polo (originally built as an ocean liner) and Ocean Countess. Marco Polo had a particularly unique history, launching as the Aleksandr Pushkin ocean liner for one of the three main shipping companies in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The vessel was actually chartered to Transocean Tours back in 1979, and then changed hands multiple times after that.

In 2008, Global Maritime Group purchased the vessel and she was once again chartered to Transocean Tours, which is how she came to be chartered by CMV.

From 2013 to 2019, Cruise & Maritime Voyages slowly added and replaced ships, none of which were new builds. In total, the line operated 10 vessels, though not all simultaneously.

They included the former 1972-built Island Princess, Carnival’s Holiday, the former 1989-built Star Princess, and Holland America’s 1992-built Statendam (also formerly Pacific Eden for P&O Cruises Australia).

Cruise & Maritime Voyages had itineraries all over the world, but most were focused in the British Isles, northern Europe, Australia, and Mexico.

Like the rest of the cruise industry, CMV halted operations in March 2020 due to the pandemic. In July 2020, reports surfaced that the cruise line was facing insolvency and was looking to secure additional funding.

Attempts to secure financing failed, and Cruise & Maritime Voyages officially entered administration on July 20, 2020.

Four of its five vessels at the time were bought by an auction house, and subsequently either sold to other shipping companies or sold for scrap. The fifth ship had been under charter and was not officially owned by CMV.

5. Cruise West

Cruise West was a small, destination-focused cruise line based in Seattle, Washington. The line was originally a tour operator in Alaska founded by Chuck West in 1973. In 1990, the company acquired its first overnight vessel — the 52-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay.

Though the company’s focus then and through its lifetime remained on Alaska, it began expanding into other destinations such as the Snake and Columbia rivers, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, and California coastal areas.

In 2001, Cruise West bought its first ocean-going ship, the former Renaissance Cruises’ Spirit of Oceanus. Then, the line expanded to Central America in partnership with Costa Rica’s Temptress Cruise Lines to offer cruises on the 100-passenger M/V Pacific Explorer.

In 2006, Cruise West purchased the 102-passenger Nantucket Clipper and 138-passenger Yorktown Clipper from Clipper Cruise Lines, and renamed them Spirit of Nantucket and Spirit of Yorktown, respectively. Spirit of Nantucket operated on the east coast and in the Great Lakes for two seasons before being moved to the Pacific Coast with the rest of the fleet. She was then renamed Spirit of Glacier Bay, making the vessel the second in the line’s history to bear that name.

Throughout the duration of the company, Cruise West operated nine small ships in the Americas, South Pacific, and Asia.

On September 8, 2010, the line announced that it was restructuring under new ownership, and suspended all new bookings. On September 18, it announced that it would cease operations.

Another small ship line operating mostly in Alaska, UnCruise Adventures, acquired Spirit of Endeavour and Spirit of ‘98 from Cruise West, renaming them Safari Endeavour and S.S. Legacy, respectively.

MORE: 9 Cruise Concepts That Didn’t Quite Catch On

6. Dolphin Cruise Lines

Dolphin Cruise Lines was a Greek line founded in 1984. Back before then, the Ulysses Line operated ships Ithaca and Calypso in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Isles, mostly marketed by UK tour company Thomson in the 1970s.

Thomson didn’t renew its charter with Ulysses, so the two ships were chartered to other cruise companies. Ithaca was renamed Dolphin IV in 1979, and was initially marketed by cruise line Paquet before moving to the newly-founded Dolphin Cruise Line.

The line acquired three additional ships through 1996. In 1997, Dolphin Cruise Lines was bought out by Premier Cruise Line, and the three remaining Dolphin ships along with Premier’s ships all formed one fleet under the Premier Cruise Line name.

Carnival Corporation established Fathom as a cruise line that would operate “social impact travel” cruises from Miami to the Caribbean. The line’s journeys included volunteer opportunities with established organizations on the ground in the destinations that the line visited.

The P&O Cruises ship Adonia was reassigned to Fathom, and became the line’s first (and only) dedicated cruise ship.

During the duration of the cruise line’s existence, Adonia sailed to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. When the ship docked in Havana in May 2016, it marked the first time in over 50 years that a U.S. cruise line had sailed from the U.S. to Cuba.

In 2017, the Fathom brand discontinued cruise line operations, and Adonia returned to P&O Cruises.

The volunteer-based shore excursions that made Fathom unique were continued through 2018 on other Carnival Corporation cruise lines, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and P&O Cruises.

In January 2019, the Fathom brand was discontinued entirely.

8. Festival Cruises

This Greece-based cruise line was founded in 1992 by George Poulides using second-hand ships.  It began operating after acquiring  The Azur  from Chandris Cruises, and  Starward  from Norwegian Cruise Line the following year, which Festival renamed  Bolero.  

The line’s first new build was in 1999, called Mistral.   In 2000, Festival announced they were merging into Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), with the Festival brand being maintained under P&O.  The merger plan was abandoned later that year, though, and two more Mistral-class ships were built in 2001 and 2002.

The company had the option for two more, but decided against it; however, the Mistral-class ships did end up being built, instead for MSC Cruises as  Lirica  and  Opera.   Festival Cruises ultimately ended up going bankrupt in 2004, and all of their remaining ships were auctioned to other operators.

9. Ibero Cruises

Ibero Cruises, known as Ibero Cruceros in Spanish, was founded in 2003 as Viajes Iberojet by Iberojet — a travel wholesaler — as its cruise division. Based in Madrid, Spain, the line was aimed at the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking market, sailing in Europe and South America.

The line started with one ship, Grand Mistral — which was acquired from the failed Festival Cruises. In 2004, the line added two more ships: Grand Latino acquired from Royal Viking Line, and Grand Voyager from Royal Olympic Cruises.

In 2007, Viajes Iberojet became a joint subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and Orizonia Corporation and was renamed Ibero Cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line’s ship Celebration was transferred to Ibero Cruises in 2008 and renamed Grand Celebration. In 2009, another ship, the Holiday, was also transferred to Ibero from Carnival Cruise Line and renamed Grand Holiday.

In 2014, it was announced that Costa Cruises — another Carnival Corporation brand — would absorb Ibero Cruises by the end of the year. By this point, Ibero Cruises had already sold off all but its two newest ships.

Grand Celebration was transferred to Costa’s main fleet as Costa Celebration, and Grand Holiday was transferred to the British operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages as the Magellan.

10. Majesty Cruise Line

Majesty Cruise Line was founded in 1992 by Dolphin Cruise Line as a more premium option for its customers. The line’s first ship, Royal Majesty, was originally ordered by competitor Birka Line but the contract was resold to Majesty after the shipbuilder went bankrupt.

The vessel started out operating three and four-night cruises from Florida, then in 1995 began a route from Boston to St. George’s, Bermuda. In the winter, Royal Majesty returned to Florida.

In 1997, Majesty bought a second ship from Crown Cruise Line called Crown Dynasty, and renamed her Crown Majesty. For the rest of that season, she continued the same itineraries that were planned for her former cruise line.

At the end of the 1997 season, both ships were passed to Norwegian Cruise Line as Majesty Cruise Line merged into that brand.

MORE: 11 Former Carnival Ships – Where Are They Now?

11. Premier Cruises

This cruise company was formed in the early 1990s by Kristian Stensby, and was focused on new geographic markets that the bigger ones weren’t focusing on at the time.  Primarily they aimed their cruises toward Europeans and South Americans.  It consisted of three operations; Premier Cruise Line, Seawind Cruise Line, and Dolphin Cruise Line.

Stensby grew the company from one to six ships, and in 1997 it became the largest private cruise line in the world at that time.  Premier had many travel partners, including Pullmantur, Thomson Holidays, TUI, and more.

After 1997, Premier changed its business strategies and canceled these agreements.  A number of the partners decided to use the opportunity to create their own cruise operations, such as Pullmantur Cruises which was established when the agreement was canceled.  Thomson Holidays also used the opportunity to build and expand.

In late 2000, Premier Cruises filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

12. Renaissance Cruises

Renaissance Cruises was founded in 1989 by Fearnley & Eger Rederi in Oslo, Norway, and was later bought by Edward Rudner during the Gulf War.  The cruise line had eight Renaissance-class yacht-like ships between 1989 and 1998.

They carried around 100 passengers each, and were named Renaissance I  through  Renaissance VIII.   Renaissance Cruises operated voyages to the Greek Isles, Tahiti, the Mediterranean, South Pacific, northern Europe, and Scandinavia.

Its R class was their other class of ships, and these were more ‘cruise ship’ sized.  They were also named quite simply, being “R (number).”  They had eight ships throughout their years in service, R One  through  R Eight.  

They were the pride of the cruise line, and were all built between 1998 and 2001.  By 2001, the company had been in financial trouble for a while, and when the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred, it did the cruise line in.

Now, almost all of their former ships are currently either chartered or operating with other cruise lines.

13. Royal Viking Line

Royal Viking Line began in 1972, and each of its first three ships was owned by one of its initial investing partners.  The ships were all built at a shipyard in Finland, and were around 21,000 GRT.  In 1980, the ships were stretched and more cabins were added.  In 1984, the two companies that owned Royal Viking decided to sell it to Norwegian Caribbean Line, and the offices were moved from San Francisco to Coral Gables, Florida.

While under the new ownership, another ship was built for Royal Viking, which was finished in 1992; Royal Viking Queen.   In 1990-91, two ships were moved to the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, and another in 1993 moved to Royal Cruise Line.

In 1994, Knut Kloster (who owned Norwegian) was hard financially, and Royal Viking Line was dissolved.  Some vessels were sold to Cunard, and Royal Viking Sun  was combined with four of their other ships to form Cunard Royal Viking Line, which only lasted until 1998.

In the same year, all of Cunard’s ships were merged under the Cunard Line brand.

Two of the former Royal Viking ships have been scrapped (Royal Viking Sea and Royal Viking Sky) and others are owned by other companies. None of the ships are still sailing with Cunard.

14. White Star Line

The White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as just White Star Line, was a well-known British shipping company.  It was founded in 1845 in Liverpool, and sailed a fleet of clipper ships between Britain and Australia.  The line acquired its first steamship, the  Royal Standard , in 1863.

In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, millions of people were emigrating from Europe to Canada and the US, and White Star was one of the first shipping lines to have passenger ships, with the Oceanic -class ships that they began operating in 1870.

In April 1912, the most famous maritime accident in history occurred to one of White Star Line’s ships, the Titanic.  After boasting that they had built an unsinkable ship, during its crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sunk.  She took 1,502 passengers and crew down with her.

In 1933, both White Star and Cunard, their chief competitor, were in serious financial trouble in the midst of the Great Depression.  The British government agreed to help the cruise lines out because they merged their North Atlantic operations.  They agreed, and it was official on December 30, 1933.

For a while, they called themselves Cunard-White Star Limited, but in 1947, Cunard acquired the portion of the line that they didn’t own, as well as all assets and operations in 1949, and reverted to just the name “Cunard” on the first day of 1950.

Note: This article was previously published in June 2016. It was expanded and republished in May 2022.

READ NEXT: 10 Secrets And Money-Saving Tips The Cruise Lines Don’t Usually Tell You

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In the distance, the sugar white sands of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach stand out in brilliant contrast to the turquoise waters. The warm Gulf breeze and sun on your face remind you that you have entered a whole different state of relaxation. It’s another perfect day on the Alabama Gulf Coast , and the dolphins are waiting. Share a moment of your life with these amazing aquatic mammals through a variety of cruise offerings. You’ll be forever glad you did.

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The Best Dolphin Cruise in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL – Guaranteed

Welcome to the Cold Mil Fleet Dolphin Cruise, where our guests see beautiful and amazing dolphins jumping and surfing up close – guaranteed! 

The DOUBLE SURF cruise is amazing! Where both of our boats cruise side by side creating a perfect wave that the dolphins enjoy surfing and jumping in!! Our 90-minute cruises offer affordable, relaxing fun and sightseeing for the whole family. Touring scenic inland waters, our fleet of 50-foot Cold Mil boats offers comfortable, smooth rides and 360-degrees of dolphin viewing. In the evening, try one of our breathtaking sunset cruises-dolphins included!.

Ready to See Some Dolphins? Let’s Do It!

A dolphin cruise is one of the most mesmerizing experiences you can have in the summer. At Dolphin Cruises Aboard the Cold Mil Fleet, we take tremendous pride in ensuring that our guests have the best dolphin cruise experience possible on our fleet of Cold Mil boats. If you are in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, AL and have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy a dolphin cruise and watch tour, we urge you to book your first trip today. You will experience incredible dolphin sightings up close – we guarantee it.

Get the Most Out of Your Dolphin Cruise!

The waters of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, AL are home to several dolphins which love to jump and play in the wakes of our 50-foot boats. Our expert team at Dolphin Cruises Aboard the Cold Mil Fleet is incredibly passionate about the dolphins that we see daily. We know how to interact with the dolphins in a way that they absolutely love, while also allowing our guests to fully experience the unique and breathtaking sights of a dolphin cruise in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, AL.

Choose Your Dolphin Cruise Experience!

We offer three types of dolphin cruises:

• Daytime dolphin cruises
• Sunset dolphin cruises
• Private dolphin cruises

Each of our dolphin cruises are our DOUBLE SURF cruises. Located in Orange Beach, AL, each cruise tours the waters of Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, AL. Book online today to reserve your spots on an upcoming dolphin cruise.

The Original Dolphin Cruises in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, AL!

Cruising since 1997

Want more adventures?

Check out some of our partner’s sites for things to do in the Orange Beach Gulf Shores area.

Contact Us 251-943-3510

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©2018 Dolphin Cruises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ship Island Ferry Service is now Open - Dolphin Watching & Sunset Cruises now offered!

DOLPHIN WATCHING CRUISE

Quick Details

• User Ages: All Ages
• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 Hours
• Calendar Available Dates: Cruises will resume on March 16th thru November 28th
• Clock Departure Times: Spring Schedule: Wednesday - Friday at 4:30pm and Saturday & Sunday Departing at 1pm. Summer Schedule: Wednesday - Friday Departing at 4:30pm. Fall Schedule: Friday at 4:30pm and Saturday & Sunday at 1pm.
• Map Marker Departure Location: Ship Island dock in Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, Jones Park

Checkmark Download a Brochure: HERE

Join us for a dolphin watching adventure that includes a tour of the Gulfport Ship Harbor!

Come aboard for a 90-minute shoreline cruise on a quest for Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins. Snack bar service available on board. No outside food or drinks permitted. Please arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Advance ticket purchases strongly suggested.

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Blue Lagoon Island Dolphin Encounter (N21)

Port of Call

Activity Level & Duration

Experience Type

Make friends with these majestic mammals when you meet trained dolphins on this once in a lifetime experience.

Dolphins of the Blue Lagoon

Get up close with dolphins in waist-deep water as you enjoy the chance to hug, kiss and play with these beautiful animals.

Know Before You Go

View important additional information to help you prepare for this exciting adventure.

All Inclusive Dolphin Swim & Marine Park Snorkel

Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park: Discover the wonders of Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, where you can explore a fascinating collection of Mesoamerican art replicas, indulge in a tequila tasting experience, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of a tropical garden boasting over 350 plant species. With additional amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, a temazcal (sweat lodge), thrilling marine-life activities and a white sand beach, this park offers a perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and adventure. Dolphin Swim: Engage in a thrilling encounter with dolphins in their natural environment at Cozumel's only certified Dolphin Park. Witness the sheer power and grace of these magnificent creatures as they showcase their impressive speed, agility, and intelligence with maneuvers such as the famous "Belly Ride" and take you on a boogie board adventure through the water. Then, watch the dolphins as they perform fast swims, high jumps, and many other impressive tricks. Snorkeling at Marine Sanctuary: Dive into an enchanting underwater realm during a guided snorkeling tour at Marine Sanctuary. Explore the captivating world of sunken sculptures and encounter a vibrant tapestry of marine creatures, including clown and butterfly fish, snappers, angelfish, and a rich variety of corals and sea fans. All-Inclusive Delights: Refuel with a delightful Mexican and International buffet lunch. Treat your taste buds to a diverse selection of dishes and quench your thirst with unlimited local beverages, ensuring a satisfying and enjoyable day out What’s Included:

• Snorkel gear.
• Mexican & international buffet lunch.
• Unlimited local drinks.
• Archeological sites, Tequila Village, Sandy Beach, gardens, and swimming pool.
• Sealion show.
• Beach chair.

Requirements & Restrictions: Guests must be 48 inches for the dolphin swim. Minimum age to snorkel – 8 years. For safety reasons, pregnant women, and guests with back or neck injuries and heart or respiratory conditions may not participate in this excursion. Guests with a height of 55 inches and under must be accompanied by a paying adult or legal guardian. What to Bring: Beach towel and credit/debit cards for purchases. Good to Know: Children 5 and under are free. Total of 30 minutes interaction.

Nearly 600 cruise passengers arrive in Cleveland to explore the city

• Updated: May. 26, 2024, 3:46 p.m. |
• Published: May. 26, 2024, 3:46 p.m.

Hundreds of cruise ship passengers enjoyed the sites around Cleveland, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Megan Sims, cleveland.com

• Megan Sims, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nearly 600 cruise passengers are on the town in Cleveland.

On Sunday morning, the Viking Octantis and Pearl Seas ships docked at the Port of Cleveland near Browns Stadium, as it opened its Great Lakes passenger cruise season. This is the second time both cruise lines made multiple calls at the Port of Cleveland, a news release said.

The 378-passenger Viking ship’s itinerary for its “Great Lakes Collection” named Cleveland, along with Toronto and Welland Canal, Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls, Detroit, Alpena, Michigan, Door Peninsula, Wisconsin, Mackinac Island, Michigan and others as some of the “culture-rich” stops on its cruise.

Pearl Seas’ “14-Night Great Lakes Explorer Cruise,” which will make similar stops between Duluth, Wisconsin and Toronto, Ontario is set to give riders the chance to sail all five Great Lakes on its journey as well.

The 588 passengers who spilled out of the ships this weekend had the chance to visit several notable Cleveland landmarks, like the West Side Market and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Other activities included beer tasting at Great Lakes Brewing Company, culinary tours, a tour of the Cultural Gardens, Downtown or Little Italy, hiking and biking tours of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, along with a trip to Amish Country in Geauga County.

A spot that was undoubtedly popular with visitors was the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Kevin Guzman and El Haj Akhalil Fareed Muhammad of Detroit were among them. Though it was Guzman’s second time at the Rock Hall, the visit was a first for Muhammad.

“I just enjoyed the whole experience because I like all genres of music except acid rock,” he said. “So, I took a lot of pictures and I’ve been trying to get down here for three or four years.”

Muhammad noted that he was now the proud owner of a hoodie purchased at the museum’s gift shop.

“My favorite was, of course, Motown because I’m from Detroit, so I liked that connection,” Guzman said. “And it just brought back some memories of my high school years of the music I enjoyed.”

Great Lakes cruises have become increasingly popular over the last several years. In September, The Points Guy , named Cleveland the hottest new cruise destination in North America, adding that cruise ship arrivals in the city were up 700% from 2021.

Port of Cleveland estimated that 10,000 cruise passengers docked in Cleveland in 2023.

Tickets for this year’s Great Lakes cruises aboard the Viking and Pearl Seas ships range between $10,000 to $15,000.

Viking Octantis and Pearl Seas passengers are expected to begin reboarding to their next destination by Sunday night.

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• The Plain Dealer’s front page for May 26, 2024

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Spongeorama Cruise Lines

Tarpon springs dolphin sightseeing cruise, dolphin adventure beach cruise.

Same as our Dolphin Cruise but you may disembark and explore the Anclote Island , look for shells, go swimming and get up close and personal with some of Florida’s rare wildlife, such as the American Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, and Piping Plover. See the historic Anclote Lighthouse built in 1887 and still in operation. BRING YOUR CAMERA! This is the one sightseeing cruise you MUST go on before returning home. It’s the one you will be telling all of your friends about.  Click Here for an Aerial View

Buy Dolphin Beach Cruise Tickets

Book online now!

PLEASE READ:  Departure times vary due to weather and season. For your convenience please confirm your reservations one day in advance so you will know the current departure times. If you make reservations and wish to cancel you must contact us 24 hours prior to your scheduled cruise. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time. Limited Seating~ Reservations Suggested Space is VERY limited, each cruise only boards 49 passengers. Call to reserve your seat today! (727) 943-2164 or (727) 365-8793 Terms and Conditions: Cruise dates and times are subject to change without notice due to weather, mechanical, or other operational problems. Ticket holders can reschedule or will be entitled to a refund if a cruise is canceled due to one of those issues. Ticket holders are not entitled to a refund if the cruise is delayed but still sails on the original scheduled date. Ticket holders who arrive late, after the cruise has departed, or do not show up on their scheduled cruise date and time or call to cancel within 24 hours of their departure time, will be allowed to reschedule but are not entitled to a refund. If you are bringing an infant(s) you must notify us when booking or you may not be allowed to board. Tarpon Springs Sightseeing Cruise and Dolphin encounter cruise. Anclote River and Lighthouse. Tarpon Springs, FL at the Sponge Docks.

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