On a recent afternoon, a vista I had seen dozens of times appeared to be nearly brand new when I stepped outside onto the deck of the General Jackson Showboat.
I spent my childhood in Nashville, and I can almost recall its skyline. On the ship’s midday trip into downtown, though, I got my first glimpse from the water of the AT&T Building and the Broadway honky tonks.
After a Southern buffet lunch, the aboard band’s Tennessee Legends presentation prepared us for our arrival in the centre of Music City with live performances of country, bluegrass, and blues music. After only a 20-minute trip from my flat and an around $76 cost, I got to experience what it’s like to be a tourist for about two and a half hours.
Day cruises can provide travellers with a reasonably priced option to explore locations – or their own city – from a unique perspective in the face of excessive inflation.
Hess noted that most day cruises start at between $40 and $50 per person for two to four hours of sailing, however rates vary by region. In addition to being cost-effective, the sailings can be a wonderful introduction for those who have never been on a boat or ship. It’s not as long as a multinight cruise, she added. You are aware that the end is near.
day trips throughout the US
The General Jackson Showboat, located in Nashville, Tennessee, offers lunchtime and evening cruises throughout the year, along with meals and performances in its Victorian Theatre.
According to Patrick Walker, general manager of the showboat, “Guests are able to experience so many parts of what makes Nashville special during the cruise including music paying homage to world-famous musicians who have roots in Tennessee, like Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, scenic views of the city and the Cumberland River, as well as authentic Southern cuisine.”
I went on a noon cruise with the Tennessee Legends event, which runs from March to November and honours legendary music and performers from the Volunteer State. Tickets cost between $45 and $104 for people 12 and older, and between $30 and $79 for children ages 4 to 11. Sailing is free for kids under 3 years old.
Numerous cruises are available from Pure Florida, including scenic cruises that transport visitors over 90 minutes from the waterfront shopping neighbourhood Tin City through Naples Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. According to Merry Coffman, director of marketing communications, while the crew narrates, passengers can see mansions and wildlife.
In an email, Coffman described the M/V Double Sunshine as an open-air, double-decker catamaran. “Guests can move around the boat to experience various views and can relax in the warm sun and fresh air while cruising.”
Costs for sightseeing cruises range from $46 for adults to $23 for children aged 3 to 12. Sailing is free for kids under 2 years old.
During the hour-long journey, tourists pass via Alcatraz Island, Marin County’s shoreline, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Prices for adults on the sailing begin at $38, while those for kids between the ages of 5 and 17 begin at $29. Sailing is free for children under the age of five.