Is Marina Jack dinner cruise in Sarasota a decent deal?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is Marina Jack dinner cruise in Sarasota a decent deal?
I don't expect dinner cruises to have the very best food, but want to take an elderly friend on a nice outing. Is the food passably good, is the trip pleasant or likely to be rough, is the cost reasonable?
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marina Jack Restaurant has decent food, so I imagine that the boat cruise would too, as it's catered by the restaurant. I've never done the cruise myself, but some friends that did were happy with the evening.
Here is their website with menu and prices:
http://www.marinajacks.com/dinner_boat.htm
Here is their website with menu and prices:
http://www.marinajacks.com/dinner_boat.htm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've also never taken the cruise but I'm certain it's a nice cruise around Sarasota Bay and perhaps down to Venice or north around Annamaria Island. I think the nicest part of your idea is wanting to take your elderly friend on an outing - that in itself is the greatest gift.
I don't think I'd make reservations until the actual day you'd like to go cause the wind can kick up a bit on the bay.
I don't think I'd make reservations until the actual day you'd like to go cause the wind can kick up a bit on the bay.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm back. Ate at landlocked Marina Jack's and got food poisoning -- darkly suspect one off-flavored snail there. You definitely pay a harbor-view surcharge for the meal. My elderly friend enjoyed herself a great deal and the waitstaff was very nice and competent. The server claimed the food on the boat is quite good (but it is from a steam-table), and we watched it leave the harbor just as the sun was setting beautifully. But the old paddle-wheel steamer is gone, and it's just a comparatively small little boat with big windows. Just as glad I didn't bother.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry about the bad experience, but thanks for posting back here with the results. I've never been a fan of Marina Jack's despite the beautiful view, and I laugh at your comment about elderly friend. I'm far from young, but I feel like a teenager amongst the usual crowd there.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi again
If it's a paddle boat you'd like to take then there is one up in the next town "Bradenton". Out at the Cortez Road bridge (before it goes onto Bradenton Beach) there's a paddleboat there that takes tours out every day. They dock it at the Seafood Shack and take the cruise around Sarasota Bay and a bit toward Tampa Bay and the bridge.
Hope this helps for any future adventures. Sorry you picked up food poisoning though.
If it's a paddle boat you'd like to take then there is one up in the next town "Bradenton". Out at the Cortez Road bridge (before it goes onto Bradenton Beach) there's a paddleboat there that takes tours out every day. They dock it at the Seafood Shack and take the cruise around Sarasota Bay and a bit toward Tampa Bay and the bridge.
Hope this helps for any future adventures. Sorry you picked up food poisoning though.