St. Johns Rivership adds Jane Austen high tea cruises in September

St. Johns Rivership Company will launch a Sense and Sensibility High Tea Cruise aboard the Barbara-Lee every Tuesday in September 2026 from historic downtown Sanford. The two-hour experience pairs Regency-inspired style with tea service and river views, targeting book clubs, celebrations and weekday outing crowds.

Why it matters: - The new cruise gives St. Johns Rivership Company a themed experience to attract literary fans and local groups during September 2026. - The offering adds another weekday leisure option in Sanford and the Orlando area. - Limited seating makes advance booking important for guests who want to secure a spot.

What happened: - St. Johns Rivership Company announced the Sense and Sensibility High Tea Cruise aboard the Barbara-Lee in Sanford, Florida. - The cruise will sail every Tuesday in September 2026. - The company is promoting the experience as a Jane Austen–inspired outing from Historic Downtown Sanford.

The details: - The cruise lasts two hours. - Guests will sail on Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River. - The onboard menu includes savory tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delicate sweets. - More than 35 flavored teas will be available. - Reserved seating will be inside the Barbara-Lee’s enclosed, climate-controlled dining areas. - Guests are encouraged to wear Regency-inspired attire, decorative hats or afternoon-tea fashions, but costumes are optional. - Michelle Wyatt, owner of St. Johns Rivership Company, said the cruise is meant to let guests enjoy Austen-style elegance while sharing high tea on one of Sanford’s distinctive attractions. - The cruise is aimed at Jane Austen enthusiasts, book clubs, mother-daughter outings, birthday celebrations, groups of friends and weekday visitors. - Cruise dates, ticket prices and reservations are available at the company’s website. - St. Johns Rivership Company operates the Barbara-Lee, an authentic sternwheel paddleboat departing from the Historic Downtown Sanford Marina. - The company also offers scenic dining cruises, themed high teas, live entertainment, holiday celebrations, group outings and private-charter experiences on Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River. - The Barbara-Lee features enclosed, climate-controlled dining areas, reserved seating and freshly prepared food served during each cruise.

Between the lines: - The themed cruise fits a broader push toward experience-driven dining and event-based tourism. - Jane Austen branding may help the company stand out in a crowded Central Florida leisure market. - A Tuesday-only schedule suggests the company is targeting slower midweek demand.

What's next: - The Sense and Sensibility High Tea Cruise will run on Tuesdays throughout September 2026. - Advance reservations are strongly recommended because seating is limited. - Additional themed cruises or seasonal offerings may follow if the format draws strong demand.

The bottom line: - St. Johns Rivership Company is turning the Barbara-Lee into a Jane Austen-themed tea experience, aiming to combine river cruising, special-occasion dining and limited-seat scarcity into one midweek draw.