Island Time Cruises

From the moment we arrived we were greeted so warmly, as if we were family at check-​in! Once we got on the boat, we met the Captain and Carol who were at the downstairs bar. We got 2 cocktails and the tab was $ 13 we could not believe how reasonably priced the drinks were. The food was AWESOME, everything was cooked perfectly and the Mac n Cheese was out of this world! We went upstairs and started jammimg to the awesome tunes the DJ was playing, all while catching the most beautiful sunset I have ever experienced. I would give this experience 10 stars if I could! I will definitely be back with a group of friends and with family.

Island Time has Friday and Saturday night sunset cruises with a DJ, dancing, two full bars and food on board for purchase! The last Friday night of the month is their locals cruise where locals cruise for free! Great way to see Key Largo’s spectacular sunsets! Only $ 20 per person!

My husband and I and a couple of friends went out on Island Time for their Saturday evening dinner cruise last week and had a wonderful time.
First of all, the pictures on the website don’t do it justice, because a two dimensional picture can’t convey the grandeur of this boat. It’s a large but graceful craft, with that old time riverboat feel, gingerbread railing, big smokestacks, huge paddlewheel, it’s right out of Mark Twain. Boarding, the crew was so friendly and welcoming, they seemed genuinely glad we were there. As we set off, the water gliding by, I admired the scenery, and looked around the boat. There are two decks. On the lower deck, the one you are on when you step off the gangway, is the dining salon, the restrooms (large and ADA compliant) and a wide deck with railing from which to stand and watch the water. Upstairs (wide, with bannisters on both sides), is the Mermaid Bar. This is under roof, but open, so the breeze is great. The bar front is painted with a lovely mural of a mermaid. The seating is tables and chairs, very typical for the Keys, and weather proof. The entertainers play there, and this night, it was local favorites Ted and Vivian. IThey started with something Irish, maybe folk music, and then it became something kind of acoustic rock, and then next thing I knew, it was Cat Stevens, or maybe Seals and Crofts. They were terrific, and the mix of the music with the natural beauty of the bay all around us was intoxicating. (My friends said that the rum runners didn’t hurt either. The bar serves those and also pina coladas, as well as the usual fare. They have a full liquor license.) We stood by the rail on the upper deck for a while, watching the shoreline go by, enjoying the breeze. As the sun began to set and the sky became a mix of tangerine and turquoise, it was time for dinner. We sat in the elegant salon, which has huge picture windows, cushioned chairs, tablecloths and romantic lighting. We ate our dinner while watching the sunset through windows so big that there was not a seat in the dining room that couldn’t see comfortably. The buffet had curried chicken with vegetables and fruit in a flavorful West Indian style curry sauce, not spicy hot, but pungent and slightly sweet, very good. Also bowtie pasta marinara, there was beef stroganoff too, which the gentlemen enjoyed immensely, as well as vegetables al dente and a Caesar salad. For dessert, they had a truly excellent chocolate mousse and a lavish fruit display. The chocolate mousse was semi-​sweet dark chocolate and was over the top delicious. This dinner was downright indulgent. The service was attentive without being intrusive, a fine line in any restaurant, and very well done here. As I finished a dish, it was whisked away, beverages were refilled, there was no delay, but also no unnecessary chat. It made dinner a seamless pleasure, our dinner conversation uninterrupted, but enhanced.
We went out on the bow on the lower deck, just outside the dining room, to enjoy the evening breeze. The sun had set, the lights had come out and the bay was a twinkling fantasy of lights and stars. I heard Ted and Vivan start playing dance music, something from the 60’s or the 70s, I can’t remember the songs now, but they brought back the dancing memories of my youth. We went back upstairs to the upper deck, where the Mermaid Bar was in full swing. We danced and danced, and laughed and danced some more. It was such a great time! The bartenders got into it and they were dancing behind the bar. Then, when we had all danced all we could and had to sit down to rest, Ted and Vivan led us in a sing along to «American Pie.» It was sweet and emotional, we all held up our glasses toasting during the chorus, swaying back and forth, it was wonderful. Then, for an encore, they did a pitch perfect rendition of The Boxer, a difficult ballad originally sung by Simon and Garfunkel, and they did it beautifully. As we docked, I wanted this evening to go on, but I also felt so good. We had experienced a great evening we would not forget, and I look forward to coming back to do it again.
I wore flip flops, any comfortable shoes, preferably non-​skid soles would do. Bring your camera, there are so many beautiful sights along the shore and the water.
Departure Time: 5:45pm. Return: 8:15. Ticket Price: $ 55.00