boat cruises shelly beach

Over 50 Years of combined Experience

Allocated on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal, we offer trips from both Hibberdene and Shelly Beach.

Our client’s safety and satisfaction is our main priority.

We do beach and surf launching from both Hibberdene and Shelly Beach.

This is an experience of a lifetime!

We offer families and individuals the widest variety of ocean activities in KZN !

Our Skippers will be at the helm ensuring your safety and comfort at all times.

Full day +  Half day fishing trips

Big game fishing trips

Fun boat rides

Pencil duck rides

Shark cage diving

Diving charters

FISHING CHARTERS

Morning trips start from 6:00am Afternoon trips run from 12:00pm

All bait and tackle are supplied for all fishing trips, you keep what you catch.

Our boats are also night rated.

We have the luxury of a toilet on two of our charter boats.

You need to have a valid fishing license, which can be obtained at your local post office.

Book now for your full day or half day game and bottom fishing trips!

FUN BOAT RIDES 

Fun boat rides for individuals, or the whole family! Come cruise with us along the coastline with commentary and anecdotes on landmarks from the tour guide. We do drumline education.  stop-offs along the KZN Shark Board’s baited buoys and shark nets.

Take a dip in the sea, and enjoy a deep-water swim among the warm Indian Ocean swells. Great for team building. 

Book your fun boat ride now!

PENCIL DUCK RIDES

For adrenaline lovers!

Exhilarating high speed rides!

Heart pumping, wave jumping fun!

Don't miss out!

Book your pencil duck ride now!

Fun boat rides for individuals, or the whole family!

Come cruise with us along the coastline with commentary and anecdotes on landmarks from the tour guide.

We do drumline education.

Stop-offs along the KZN Shark Board’s baited buoys and shark nets.

Heart pumping! 

Wave jumping fun!

PENCIL DUCK RIDES 

6 Different reefs to explore.

Ranging from 8 to 30 meters.

Surf launch from Hibberdene.

All reefs are within 3km from launch site,

which makes for short boat trips for those

prone to motion sickness.    For open water and advanced divers.  Only certified Scuba divers permitted. 

No dive gear available.

Cylinder refills available. 

Double tank dives available at request.

Dive master included.

SCUBA DIVING 

All gear supplied.

Duration: 1.5 hours

SHARK CAGE DIVING 

Our stainless steel shark cage take you to the heart of the action.

Shark cage diving is the easiest way to be dazzled by the most magnificent apex predators!

Watching sharks from the safety of the boat is also a great option for those looking to stay dry, while still seeing exciting shark action.

You can rest assured that our professional and dedicated team will have one aim in mind, to ensure you have a safe s hark cage dive, that will leave you feeling exhilarated to say the least.

Book your trip now!

Riptide Charters

Shelly Beach, Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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Adventures Extreme Ocean Safaris cc

Loslyf fishing charters, baywatch cruises.

Port Shepstone, Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Adventures Extreme Ocean Safaris Cc

Sarie marais pleasure cruises.

Durban, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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Sarie Marais Pleasure Cruises cc

Lynski Fishing Charters

Mount Edgecombe, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Casea Charters

Fannas hippo and croc tours.

St Lucia, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Work Boat - Marine Pollution & Research

G t sailboat designs.

Pinetown, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Swissroll Charters

Bluff, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ferry & Bay Services

Shelly Beach

Top ways to experience Shelly Beach and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

SHELLY BEACH: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.06 km) Bower House - Fairy Bower
• (0.36 km) Your best choice of direct Beach front accommodation in Manly 1
• (0.36 km) Your best choice of direct Beach front accommodation in Manly 3
• (0.36 km) Marine Parade
• (0.36 km) Your best choice of direct Beach front accommodation in Manly 2
• (0.06 km) The Boathouse Shelly Beach
• (0.37 km) The Bower Manly
• (1.22 km) Betty's Burgers
• (1.17 km) Maestro & Co
• (0.92 km) Manly Thai Gourmet
• (0.14 km) Koji Bali Spa
• (0.29 km) Fairy Bower Sea Pool
• (0.35 km) Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
• (0.94 km) Manly Beach
• (1.10 km) Manly Kayak Centre

THE 5 BEST Shelly Beach Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in shelly beach.

• Shark Diving
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Aqua Planet

2. Shelly on Sea Charters

3. Pumba Adventures

4. african dive adventures, 5. awesome charter, what travellers are saying.

• Aqua Planet
• Shelly on Sea Charters
• African Dive Adventures
• Awesome Charter
• Pumba Adventures

THE 5 BEST Shelly Beach Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in shelly beach.

• Shark Diving
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Aqua Planet

2. Shelly on Sea Charters

3. Pumba Adventures

4. african dive adventures, 5. awesome charter, what travellers are saying.

• Aqua Planet
• Shelly on Sea Charters
• African Dive Adventures
• Awesome Charter
• Pumba Adventures

Dirty Boots navigation

Shelly beach - boat trips.

Boat Trips in South Africa . Where can I boat trip in SA?

A boat trip or private charter is an excellent way to enjoy panoramic views and to get up close and personal with a variety of aquatic life. Whether on the ocean, a river, or a dam, a boat trip will allow you to enjoy every aspect of your surroundings. See our list below for Cape Town , Knysna , Eastern Cape and Gauteng .

Custom boat trips will ensure that your cruise is tailor-made to suit your interests and needs. If you are…

Custom boat trips will ensure that your cruise is tailor-made to suit your interests and needs. If you are after a more elegant experience, try a cruise. There are many types of cruises including a short day cruise, sunset cruise, dinner cruise, and an eco-cruise, so you will find something that will suit your requirements.

Other customised boat trips are focused on certain types of marine life. These include dolphin boat trips, whale-watching boat trips , shark-spotting excursions, trips to seal islands, and deep-sea fishing trips. If enjoying the surrounding scenery is what you’re after, then a simple harbour cruise will offer you views of the harbour and city, as well as the surrounding bay.

If you are near a river, then a river cruise can bring you closer to nature, or provide a spectacular setting for a dinner, business function or special occasion. Certain tour operators offer hippo and crocodile cruises, where you will see these animals lazing on the sunny banks or in the shallow waters. On a river cruise, you can enjoy travelling through lush, indigenous vegetation, surrounded by imposing mountains, or through magnificent gorges.

Tour operators can customise your boat trip to suit your specific requirements. If the trip will take most of the day, lunch will often be provided. Similarly, if you choose to navigate the vessel by yourself, picnic baskets and information about the river and its inhabitants can be arranged. Some places also operate as sail training schools, which offer lessons in sailing so that you and your friends will be able to sail the boat by yourselves.

Whether by the ocean or on a river, going on a short trip or an extended cruise, looking for an outdoor adventure or enjoying a glamorous gala dinner, a boat trip will be a memorable experience.

THE 5 BEST Shelly Beach Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in shelly beach.

• Shark Diving
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Aqua Planet

2. Shelly on Sea Charters

3. Pumba Adventures

4. african dive adventures, 5. awesome charter, what travellers are saying.

• Aqua Planet
• Shelly on Sea Charters
• African Dive Adventures
• Awesome Charter
• Pumba Adventures

Shelly Beach Half Day Cruise

Due to surgery, our Captain is unavailable for the next few months.  We will be back and running again next season and hopefully the cafe' will be up and running by then also.

2023-24 SHELLY BEACH SAILING DATES:

 Due to the Cafe' at Shelly Beach being closed , we no longer go ashore at Shelly Beach however, we cruise past Shelly Beach with commentary on our 4 hour River and Harbour Cruise.

4 Hour River and Harbour Cruise

Departure Dates 2025.

CLUB AND GROUP BOOKINGS ONLY

Public sailings still to be advised

J oin Kaipara Cruises on a 4 hour voyage of discovery from Parakai exploring the river  systems and inner harbour of the Southern Kaipara.

 This Cruise Features:

Cruise through the Historic Kaipara River & Harbour past Shelly Beach to the middle of the inner harbour.

E xplore t he Kaipara and Kaukapakapa Rivers viewing the large stands of native bush.

Sight many bays and inlets accessible only by boat.

History, Maori Pa Sites, Birdlife, ecology and nature cruise.

Cruise past the proposed site of New Zealand's 1st nuclear power plant.

From the middle of the harbour view, Tapora, Sth Kaipara Heads and Pouto Point, also

Sight a couple of large sculptures on Alan Gibbs Sculpture farm that can be seen from the Kewpie Too as we cruise down past Shelly Beach.

Trip Duration:   4 hours 

"Informative Commentary"

"Calm Sheltered Inland Waterways"

BYO LUNCH 

Tea, Coffee and soft drinks for sale on board (cash only) ​

 Cost:    Adults - $35.00 per person      

Children 5-14yrs: $15.00 per person 0-4yrs free

No Eftpos or c/c facilities available

Phone: 09 420 8466 for bookings or

Email: [email protected]

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Wild Coast Boat Cruises – Bringing The Beautiful Boat Life 

Come experience some of the special things Wild Coast Boat Cruises has to offer. There is plenty of special on the Umtamvuna River but what we offer is:

Luxury Pontoon Boat Cruises -> – Enjoy an amazing fun boat cruises for all ages with friends and family on a luxury pontoon boat. Located on the Umtanvuna river which is the border of Eastern Cape and Kwazulu Natal. The Wild Coast Boat Cruise is a guided boat ride which is in a beautiful, scenic and warm location.

Accommodation -> – Our rooms have King size beds with cotton percale linen. en-suite bathroom which has both a shower & bath, sofa, mini-bar fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, flat Screen TV with open view , fan & air-conditioning as well as its own wooden deck..

Cable Ski – WakeBoarding and WakeSkate – With some of the best instructors SA has to offer Umtamvuna River Lodge is the perfect place to learn how to wakeboard or wakeskate, or for the more accomplished rider to take their riding to the next level.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding –  Whether you’re looking for a relaxing activity or great core work out Stand Up Paddle Boarding is for you.

Wild Coast Boat Cruises

Guided Tour at Wild Coast (umtanvuna river) on a pontoon boat

• Educational

Standard Tour

Accommodation

King size beds with cotton percale linen. en-suite bathroom which has both a shower & bath, flat Screen TV with open view , fan & air-conditioning as well as its own wooden deck.

• Spacious and Secure
• Water Sports

WakeBoard or WakSakte

Super fun cable ski water experience

• Great location

Whether you’re a thrill seeking adrenaline junkie or just looking for something new the Jet Ski rides are for you. Accompanied by one of our instructors you get to take control of the wheel and venture out on the river for what is an approximately 10km ride along the pristine Umtamvuna River. 

Have a Question?

Talk to wild coast boat cruises.

Guest Reviews

A hidden gem! Away from all the hussle and chaos, hidden beneath the mountains is this gorgeous place. The rooms are neat and tidy, a horse on the property, huge pool, wedding venue, delicious complimentary breakfast and an awesome boat ride across the river! For the ultimate relaxation experience😁

The Boat Cruise was nice the driver was very welcoming and friendly.We can go back anytime

Amazing place run by amazing people ! Definitely the only place in the area to stay for the whole package ! Keep it up guys !

+27 (61) 414 8889

Lot 80, holiday rd, banners rest, port edward, 4295, [email protected], enquire or book wild coast boat cruises.

Boat Cruise Cable Ski Stand Up Paddle WakeBoard or WakeSkate Speed Boat Accommodation

Most Requested Top Wild Coast Experiences

Umtamvuna River Lodge Accommodation

Cable Ski – WakeBoarding and WakeSkate

Speedboat Rides

Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

Directions: From Durban: Take the N2 South (past Port Shepstone) until you reach Port Edward (becomes South Coast Road). Turn right into Izingolweni Road, keep left (Drive for approx 2.4 km). Then turn left into Old Pont Road (Drive for approx 2.5 km). We are on the left near the bottom of the hill… turn left onto our dirt road at the big Umtamvuna River Lodge sign board.

Directions: From Wild Coast Sun: Go over the bridge drive until you reach Port Edward (The traffic lights) (The KFC and Caltex is in your right). Turn left into Izingolweni Road, keep left (Drive for approx 2.4 km). Then turn left into Old Pont Road (Drive for approx 2.5 km). We are on the left near the bottom of the hill… turn left onto our dirt road at the big Umtamvuna River Lodge sign board. If you reach the Old Pont caravan park you have gone too far. Turn around and then you will need to turn right onto our road.

Carnival Cruise Line sets its sights on new Bahamas port of call

Carnival to open grand bahama celebration key in summer of 2025.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Carnival Cruise Line has released another round of updates on what travelers can expect when its new private destination Grand Bahama Celebration Key opens.

Debuting in summer 2025, the port of call will welcome ships from Florida ports Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Tampa and Jacksonville, as well as six other U.S. ports.

The 369-acre site less than 20 miles east of Freeport will be the first dedicated to Carnival Cruise Line, although Carnival ships have used sister line destinations Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay for years.

The largest port construction project in the line’s history will be carved into five segments the company calls portals. Carnival released details about the third one tied to retail, an artisan village called Lokono Cove. (“Lokono” means “the people” in the native Lucayan language.)

The name was the winning selection from Grand Bahamas resident Deidre Rahming, who was on hand in Miami Beach with an entourage from the Bahamian government on Tuesday at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference.

She received a check for $5,000 from Carnival and a future day pass for the resort, which won’t normally be open to visitors from the island. The line says at least 300 jobs will be generated for locals serving the cruise guests.

Lokono Cove will have kiosks and stores alongside “an authentic Bahamian artisan market” showcasing local craftsmanship, according to Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Beyond the items for sale, the space will have music and murals to enhance the space, and local food.

“Lokono Cove will be a treasure trove — a place for our guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Bahamas and find locally inspired keepsakes, symbols of paradise they can share with loved ones or cherish for themselves for years to come,” Duffy said. “Honoring the beauty and culture of the Bahamas is integral to our plans for Celebration Key, and that will be on display throughout Lokono Cove.”

The space also will be the gateway for visitors to explore Grand Bahama.

It’s the third name drop by Carnival following the reveal of welcome area Paradise Plaza and adult-friendly area Calypso Lagoon. The final two space names and details, which will be a family-friendly area and an adults-only private area, will be revealed later.

The site will also have a south-facing, mile-long beachfront expanse and a massive freshwater inland lagoon that the line says is the largest in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Paradise Plaza features a rainbow-colored walkway through a sunshine entranceway with a 10-story “Suncastle” as a centerpiece. The welcome area is the place to book the day’s activities, including cabanas, water sports and shore excursions. The area will also feature a Bahamian-themed fountain and ice cream shop.

Calypso Cove is the name of an adult-friendly area coming to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026.

Calypso Lagoon, just to the west, is home to the sport court, the freshwater lagoon and lounging options galore. It’s home to a bar with 50 swings that let visitors dip their feet into the water, and just one of many bars serving the space and two full-service restaurants and other casual snack shacks. The adults-only area of the portal will feature a swim-up bar with a DJ, food trucks and more lounging options.

Future expansion will build beyond the five portals, including the construction of a water park.

The port of call will open with one dock capable of handling Carnival’s largest ships, the 6,000-passenger Excel class.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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I only book a Disney cruise if it's going to the company's private island, Castaway Cay

• I've taken eight Disney cruises, and I always book a sailing that stops at  Castaway Cay .
• Castaway Cay is the company's private island and I love its adults-only beach area.
• You can buy exclusive merch on the island and see Disney characters in special themed costumes.

Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record highs this year, but not all itineraries are created equally — especially if you're looking to sail with Disney Cruise Line.

Over the past decade, I've taken eight Disney cruises with my family and friends. When I book, I always make sure Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, is on the port of call.

Here's why you might want to do the same.

I love that the ship docks right at the island, so there are no tender ships involved

One of the biggest perks of Castaway Cay is that the ship docks right at the island.

Some other cruise line's private islands, like Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay, don't have a dock, so cruisers must take tender ships (small boats) from the cruise ship to the island.

I hate taking tender ships, which can feel like a bit of a time sink, so this is a big bonus to me.

Getting around the island is easy with the complimentary tram

Castaway Cay is about 1,000 acres — though not all of it's developed — so it can take a while to talk to and from the ship to different spots on the island.

Fortunately, the island has a complimentary tram that I always use to get around the island.

The tram takes cruisers from a station near the ship to two other tram stops for the family beaches, and one tram stop at the adults-only beach .

This makes getting around the island with all of my beach gear easy.

Related stories

Speaking of gear, at Castaway Cay, cruisegoers can borrow free towels as soon as they get off of the ship. There are plenty of towel-return stations around the island, so I also never have to carry wet, sandy towels back on the ship.

I always stop to see the Disney characters in their cute beachwear

I enjoy seeing the Disney characters on the ship, but love seeing Mickey and his pals even more at Castaway Cay.

Characters usually meet in the morning from around 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., but exact times can always be found on the Disney Cruise Line app.

The best part about seeing the characters is that the lines to take pictures with them are never long. On a recent sailing, I saw Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto all in 30 minutes. That would never happen in a Disney park.

And if you're a fellow character hunter like me, Mickey and the gang all have Castaway Cay exclusive outfits, which are adorable and make for great family photos.

I always take advantage of every chance to hang out at the adults-only beach

One thing I love about Disney Cruise Line and Castaway Cay is that there are plenty of adults-only spaces where kids are strictly not allowed. On the island, that spot is Serenity Bay Beach.

This peaceful chair-lined beach is a quiet spot away from the family beach, where I can sit back and enjoy the view or take a chair down to the water and let the waves crash over me.

Plus, just off Serenity Bay Beach is a fun beachside bar serving up drinks and snacks.

There's also the adults-only lunch spot where I always enjoy a beachside barbecue. My favorite things on the lunch menu are the ribs and macaroni salad .

Before returning to the ship, I send a postcard from the island and check out the special merchandise

I always make a point to stop in at the various shops near the family beach to see the Castaway Cay merchandise. On a recent trip, the shops had everything from spirit jerseys and T-shirts to Christmas ornaments and swimsuits.

And, before I head back to the ship, I stop at the Castaway Cay post office to send postcards back home.

The postcards I use can be found in the desk drawer of Disney Cruise Line staterooms, and are free to take. If you don't want to send the cute postcards off, you can also keep them as souvenirs.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

• Main content

Cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with record passengers, more construction on tap

M IAMI BEACH — The COVID pandemic drove the cruise industry to a standstill, but numbers released Tuesday signal the years of comeback are officially over with more expansion on tap.

More than 31.7 million passengers took cruises worldwide in 2023, said Kelly Craighead, Cruise Line International Association president and CEO, speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference at Miami Beach Convention Center.

CLIA is the lobbying group for member cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and most other major brands.

The pandemic shut down sailing from March 2020 with only a small number of ships coming back online 18 months later in summer 2021. Cruise lines didn’t return to full strength until partially through 2022, so it wasn’t until a full year of sailing in 2023 that the industry could get a real handle on just what the demand had grown to as people returned to vacation travel.

“We are an industry that’s resilient and thriving all around the world, breaking records in ways we might never have imagined,” she said.

The 2023 total is 2 million more than the industry had in 2019. CLIA projects 34.1 million in 2024 growing to 34.6 million in 2025. It’s still a miniscule chunk of the overall travel pie of more than 1.3 billion, but cruise’s share is growing.

She noted that surveys of travelers who would consider a cruise for a vacation are at an all-time high, noting that 82% who had previously cruised said they would cruise again, but more importantly, among those who had never sailed, 71% would consider it.

The youngest generations — Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z — are the biggest drivers.

The fleet for the growing demand continues as well, including the introduction this year of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

She said CLIA member lines had more than 300 ships sailing globally for the first time in 2023, with 14 new ships that began sailing in 2023 and another eight expected before the end of the year. They have 88 new ships on order through 2028.

Already this year, both Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corp. announced major new ship construction deals, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings added to that this week with its order of eight more vessels across its three brands.

The heads of those groups were on stage to discuss where the industry is headed and enjoy their recent success.

Carnival Corp.’s president and CEO Josh Weinstein put it in a way that gained plaudits from fellow panelists and others at the conference.

“The concept of pent-up demand for cruising is gone,” he said. “We have been cruising for three years, right? It’s over. This is natural demand because we all provide amazing experiences. We delivered happiness to literally 31 million guests last year. And people see it, they feel it.”

A big part of what cruising missed during the pandemic he said was that word-of-mouth promotion that is needed to convince people to try their product.

“We now have 31 million people getting off our ships and going home and telling their friends and family who have never cruised before, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’ ‘This is amazing.’”

All of the leaders echoed the industry line that they offer a much better value than land-based vacations, but that the experience gap between the two has now shifted in their favor coming out of the pandemic.

“The appreciation for building memories with your friends and family coming out of COVID is at extraordinarily high levels,” said Jason Liberty, president & CEO at Royal Caribbean Group. “Also wealth transfer, right? Grandparents wanting to see that wealth transfer live, watching their kids and their grandkids experience that is also at an all-time high. … We have the secular trends of people buying less stuff, they want experiences. We’re in the experience business.”

Another bright aspect to the industry has been the spillover effect of all of the new ships since the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, president & CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Their new products are so extraordinary, and so much better than what was delivered back in ’15, ’16 and ’17, that it’s driving additional excitement for the entire industry,” Somer said. “When any new ship is delivered, no matter whether it’s part of our portfolio or the other portfolios, demand improves for all of us because it adds excitement to the industry.”

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

10 fun things to do in Palm Beach Gardens

Palm Beach Gardens in the northern reaches of Palm Beach County is perfectly situated to keep you entertained whether you want to be indoors or outside. That makes any time of year an ideal time to tackle your bucket list in this city of more than 60,000. (It was so ideal that at one time Walt Disney contemplated putting his Florida theme park on 320 acres along PGA Boulevard . But Walt's brother, Roy Disney, pined for more land and wound up closer to Orlando instead.)

So, there's no theme park, but plenty of perks. Whether you love to shop, dine at amazing restaurants , get back to nature, enjoy the performing arts or fancy world-class sporting events (a top-rated PGA tournament, perhaps?), Palm Beach Gardens has you covered.

From The Gardens Mall and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens to the Cognizant Classic, to multiple natural areas and even incredible craft beer, here are 10 reasons to make sure you give Palm Beach Gardens some time and love.

More: USA TODAY names its Restaurants of the Year. They include this Palm Beach County favorite.

The Gardens Mall

A mall? That's right. It opened in 1988, but this mall is not only still going (unlike so many), it's thriving. With two decks and over 1.4 million square feet, this shopping and dining destination features 140 stores including anchors like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. There are also plenty of smaller shops like Athleta, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Anthropologie, Jimmy Choo and more. Hungry? There are over a dozen places to grab a bite including Shake Shack, California Pizza Kitchen, Cooper's Hawk, Chipotle and more.

Information: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. thegardensmall.com

Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches

Though undergoing a recent name change ( from 1982 to 2023 it was the Honda Classic), the Cognizant Classic draws some of the biggest names in professional golf to the area for this week-long PGA Tour event. Played at PGA National, the tournament founded in 1972, has hosted the likes of Jack Nicklaus,  Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and, of course, Tiger Woods.

Information: PGA National, 400 Avenue of Champions, Palm Beach Gardens. thecognizantclassic; pgaresort.com

More: Where to find good restaurants, bites on PGA Boulevard dining corridor

Twisted Trunk Brewing Co.

Owned and operated by master brewer Fran Andrewlevich, this brewery opened in 2015 and has been serving some of the finest pints ever since. Named after the numerous banyan trees in the city and featuring a bar made from 100-year-old elm wood, this local hot spot has 10 beers on tap at time including standards like Palm Beach Pilsner, Fin McCool Irish Red, Chancellor and Hazy IPA and seasonal offerings like Loxahatchee Lager and Papa Pump (pumpkin lager). There's also live music, trivia night and even yoga on Sunday mornings.

Information: 2000 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-671-2337; twistedtrunkbrewing.com

The Gardens GreenMarket

A true staple of the community, this market entered its 22nd season in 2023-24 and is open on Sundays from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. on the City Hall Municipal Campus. It features fresh produce and seafood along with prepared foods like crabcakes, lobster rolls, scratch-made soups, coffee, cider donuts, barbecue sandwiches and platters, smashburgers and much, much more. The market also features live music each Sunday and this season even held several plein air painting demonstrations.

Information: 10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens. pbgfl.com/278/GreenMarket

More: 14 best waterfront restaurants from Palm Beach Gardens to Riviera Beach

Eissey Campus Theatre

This 750-seat theater has become a cultural hub for northern Palm Beach County presenting community programs, plays, musicals and live music. In 2024, they've presented The Brothers Doobie-A Doobie Brothers Experience, Human Nature-Back to the Sounds of Motown, Sixties Mania, Red Corvette-A Prince Tribute and Heart Breaker-A Tribute to Heart. These are in addition to performances like Dance Theater of Florida's "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp," "Magic & Mayhem Live-Witness the Impossible," The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches with Copeland Davis and more.

Information: 11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-207-5900; palmbeachstate.edu

Frenchman's Forest Natural Area

Surrounded by a golf course and homes, this 172-acre natural area is a wilderness oasis in the midst of suburbia. From a mangrove-lined waterway to scrubby pine flatwoods to a boardwalk through a cypress swamp, this natural area is a haven for wildlife, features several trails and is a great way to reset.

Information: 12201 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens. floridahikes.com/frenchmans

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens

Stylish and open-air, this shopping and dining destination is packed with great shops and restaurants. Some of the eateries include Avocado Cantina, Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria, Voodoo Bayou and the Yard House. In addition to great place to grab great meal, shop and people watch, this complex has something that almost no one seems to have any more, a movie theater. That's right an actual movie theater, showing movies the way they were truly meant to be seen. Massive screen, huge sound and, most importantly, your attention. No hitting pause to check on the laundry or check your phone — just focus, escape and enjoy.

Information: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. downtownpbg.com

Nova Southeastern University-Mako Shark Statue

This institute of higher learning has a work of art that might not be exactly for the faint of heart. What is it? A statue of a massive mako shark erupting from the pavers on the school's campus. That's right, cue the theme to "Jaws" in your mind when you see it and get a good jolt. Designed by Swedish artist Kent Ullberg and unveiled in 2011, the statue stands four and half feet tall and per the NSU website "symbolizes our prideful mascot: the mako shark– the fastest-swimming and highest-jumping shark in the ocean.”

Information: 11501 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-805-2100; nova.edu/campuses/wpb

MacArthur Beach State Park

So technically , this one's in North Palm Beach, but it's just over the bridge and down the street from Palm Beach Gardens and a popular spot for the entire area. In addition to launching kayaks and paddleboards at the 'Burnt Bridge' and exploring the area by water, where, depending on the season, you could see manatees, dolphin, mullet, snook, rays, wading birds and more, you can enter the park for even more fun. They have live music, festivals, classes, bird watching, snorkeling trips, SUP excursions and beach clean ups. If you are a music lover, their series 'MacArthur Under Moonlight,' held in their amphitheater, is not to be missed.

Information: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach. macarthurbeach.org

Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

Though another that's technically not within the city limits, it's so close it feels like it is and is the perfect way to get out of development and into the wild. This nature preserve is Palm Beach County's largest, most biologically diverse natural area and covers over 13,000 acres. There are hiking trails (that even link to other parks), informational kiosks, observation platforms and restrooms. The area is the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River and there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen and heard.

Information: 11855 Beeline Highway, West Palm Beach. Free. floridahikes.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support our journalism.  Subscribe today .

THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Mosparokhodstvo

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium