Amelia River Cruises Team Lauds New Captain!

There’s a new captain in Northeast Florida! Amelia River Cruises, historic and wildlife sightseeing boat tour operator, is excited to announce Marketing Director and Tour Narrator Lori Hoerl has completed the requirements necessary to obtain a 50-ton master’s inland captain license and the designation of captain. She is now acquiring more time on the water and other vessels to earn an upgrade to 100-ton master's inland designation.

The criteria for the license includes passing a Coast Guard exam, logging 360 days on the water with a minimum of four hours a day, and passing a physical examination and a first-aid exam.

Along with her roles at Amelia River Cruises, Hoerl was recently hired as captain for the Fernandina Harbor Pilot Association, where she transports harbor pilots to and from ships coming into and out of the local port. “It’s a nice contrast to the marketing world,” said Hoerl. “The challenge of pilot boat work requires the ability to sail in all kinds of weather and difficult conditions, and having to incorporate every imaginable boat handling skill everyday on the job.”

Sailing is a relative new world for Hoerl, who joined Amelia River Cruises three years ago. A Baltimore native, she moved to New York City to study opera and spent 17 years singing, acting and dancing. Hoerl relocated to Florida to pursue a simpler life and milder climate.

After learning the history, exploring the nature and experiencing firsthand the rustic beauty of Northeast Florida, she found a new passion and career. Hoerl is now an integral part of Amelia River Cruises, which offers narrated wildlife and history tours, as well as private charters and special sailings year-round.

“Lori’s passion for the water and love for the history and nature of the area, matched with her innate ability as a performer and entertainer, make her a natural fit at Amelia River Cruises,” said Owner Captain Kevin McCarthy. “We are extremely proud of her recent achievement as a licensed captain and are thrilled to have her as part of our team.”

Want to book your adventure aboard an Amelia River Cruise? Visit http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/ or contact Marketing Director Lori Hoerl at (904) 321-7372 or lorbell1@aol.com.

Georgia Florida Madness Comes to Amelia River Cruises

It's that time of year again when the Gators and Bulldogs go at it in one of the longest-running college football rivalries in college sports history. The weatherman says our balmy 80 degree weather will turn 70-ish and bring on the cooler air that makes football that much more exciting and energizing to football fans.

Amelia River Cruises knows this is not just a football game but a weekend-long party as fans of both teams celebrate their respective college's history and legacy in this sports event.

To liven up things and get folks warmed up for Saturday's game, Amelia River Cruises will offer its Twilight Cruise - a two-hour sunset BYOB cruise geared toward adults only. Bring your favorite food and beverages and kick back while you enjoy the best sunset north of Key West, set to the tunes of live, local entertainers.

A MUST for those hangin' on Amelia Island and getting in the mood for the big game.

Visit us on the web at www.ameliarivercruises.com to purchase your tickets now or call 904-261-9972 for time of departure, to purchase tickets or for more information. Gators and Bulldogs welcome! :)

Fall on Amelia River Cruises - Abundance, Adventure, and Memories Galore!

As the heat dies off and that wonderful breezy, crisp air returns to northeast Florida, Amelia River Cruises continues to offer an abundance of tours that bring you face-to-face with dolphins, exotic birds, wild horses and much, much more.

With an expanded menu of tours, families, adults, and children of all ages can find the perfect trip to encounter the rustically beautiful landscape and wonderful wildlife that make northeast Florida and southeast Georgia such a unique place to live and visit.

If you've been on one of our regular tours and you're looking for a new adventure, try one of our Eco-Tours with our marine biologist or, perhaps, a day-long excursion aboard one of our three Discovery Tours offered in the fall and spring of each year.

Our Eco-Tours are hands-on, interactive, and family-friendly offering the opportunity to drag an authentic Otter Trawl shrimp net, view the catch, and then learn of what we've discovered from our marine biologist. Then watch as we release the catch back into the wild.

Our Discovery Tours are unique day-long excursions offering all-inclusive packages to unique destinations throughout northeast Florida and southeast Georgia including Jekyll Island, St. Augustine, and Kingsley Plantation/Ft. Caroline. All include a narrated sail from Fernandina Harbor Marina by our owner, Captain Kevin McCarthy, lunch at a unique location, and an afternoon of history through live re-enactments, docent-guided tours, and/or self-guided tours.

Return transportation is provided via charter bus.

Our regular, daily tours continue to offer the local history, folklore, and flavor of Amelia and Cumberland Islands with views of spectacular wildlife and scenic views along the way.

ADULTS!!! Don't miss out on our BYOB Twilight Sunset Cruise especially for adults offering a two-hour sunset cruise with live, local entertainment and spectacular sunsets. No better way to kick back, relax and take it all in at the end of the day.

Check out our new website at http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/.

3rd Annual Rollin' on the River on Amelia River Cruises!

What a great chance to give back to the local community and take in some of the most beautiful views of the wildlife and landscape that make northeat Florida and southeast Georgia so unique.

The 3rd anual Rollin' on the River to benefit our local Meals on Wheels for Pets returns to Amelia River Cruises Sunday, September 18, 2011. This year will feature a Twilight/Sunset Cruise with wine, food and live, local entertainment by Gray Edenfield and Dan Voll.

This two-hour sunset, music cruise departs Fernandina Harbor Marina at 6:30 p.m., returning 8:30 pm. Come enjoy good music, good food, and a spectacular sunset as you help raise funds for Meals on Wheels for Pets and support the elderly and their companions in our local community.

Tickets are $30 and include your sail, food, wine and two drink specials at local bars with presentation of your Amelia River Cruise ticket. Show your ticket at Cafe Karibo and get 50% off your first drink. Get $2 off your first drink at Indigo Alley. (must redeem the night of your cruise)


Tickets are available online now at http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/ or by visiting our ticket office downtown at the foot of Centre Street, to the right of Brett's Waterway Cafe as you face the boats. No phone calls please!


Meals on Wheels for Pets is a community, volunteer-based, registered charity that, for two years now, has provided food and healthcare for the needy pets of elderly and/or disadvantaged seniors of Nassau County receiving meals through the Meals on Wheels program run by the Nassau County Council on Aging.

During this time they have delivered nearly 10 tons of food, provided spay/neuter services for over 50 animals, and healthcare exams for numerous others. Your donation will support these services to ensure these pets remain in their homes, continuing to provide the love and companionship their owners depend upon each day. Visit them online at http://www.mow4petsnassau.com/ or contact them at 352-284-6106.

Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, September 25, 2011 (6-8 p.m. cruise).

Amelia River Cruises Discovery Tours are Back!!

Don't forget the fall brings the return of our Discovery Tours - day-long excursions to unique destinations throughout southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. Every tour is personally hosted and narrated by owner, Captain Kevin McCarthy, and includes an all-inclusive day of sailing, lunch, historic tours of the destination and return via charter bus.

This fall we offer St. Augustine, Jekyll Island and Kingsley Plantation/Ft. Caroline. Check out the details and pricing at www.ameliarivercruises.com or to book your tickets online now!

www.ameliarivercruises.com / 904-261-9972

Twilight Cruises Just Keep Getting Better!

What a great time we're having on the river with our Twilight BYOB Adult-Oriented Cruises! Fantastic music, fun people, and everyone just kickin' back, chillin' out, getting to know each other and drinking in the sunsets and rustically beautiful landscape and wildlife that make Amelia and Cumberland so magical!

Thanks to Larry LeMier for setting such a fun mood on the Saturday trip this week. Total strangers became friends and the river was filled with classic Clapton, Beatles, Allman Brothers and more! Couldn't ask for more to end a day...book online now at http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/.

The Music of the Night...

Twilight Cruises are filling the river sounds of smooth Latin, jazz and easy rock tunes set against a backdrop of salt marshes, open air, spectacular sunsets and wildlife galore!

The gentle, giant manatees are back and the dolphins are dancing in the waves with new babies and playful grace as they spyhop our customers. Baby horses, Osprey, Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets and burning rainbows of color in the sky continue to dazzle our customers as they kick back and enjoy the mellow, easy end of day our Twilight Cruises have brought to Amelia.

Come hang out with us from 7-9 p.m. with your beverage of choice and snacks. Kick back, take in the sights and sing along with live, local entertainment every night through August 31st. Book online to save time at http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/ or call the office to reserve your seats at 904-261-9972.

More Great Photos from May!

New Schedule Offers More Chances to See Our Amazing Wildlife and Landscape

Hard to imagine making a living seeing dolphins, wild horses, alligators, manatees, exotics birds and much, much more! But here on Amelia River Cruises we're expanding our schedule to include four daily narrated, historic and wildlife sightseeing cruises through end of summer!

Newly added Eco-Tours are here! Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, June 1 - August 31st! Explore the wetlands and magical backwaters that make up the Eco System of northeast Florida and see an authentic Otter Trawl Shrimp net demonstration.

Also newly added...seven nights a week - June 1 - August 31st - Twilight Adult-Oriented BYOB cruises offer live, local entertainment and a sunset that rivals Key West! Drink specials for local bars after your cruise included with purchase of your ticket. Departs nightly at 7 p.m.; returning at 9 p.m.

Check out the artist line up and other tour information at www.ameliarivercruises.com!

Amelia River Cruises Expands Its Schedule - Check out May Discoveries!!!

Limited Seating - April 19th - 10:30 a.m. 2 hour Tour

Due to private charters, we'll have only 40 seats for our 2-hour 10:30 a.m. cruise on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. First-come; first-serve basis, reservations are recommended. Call early to enjoy this spring of amazing wildlife! Baby #5 - Addison born just this past Saturday!

Things are Heating Up on the River!

With spring in full swing on the river, we are so lucky to see the newborns arriving! Three baby horses and counting on Cumberland - Ethan, Ryan and Sophie! Baby dolphins everywhere and now even more tours for folks to come and experience the magic we see everyday. New ferry service to dinner at Oyster Bay! - on select Saturday evenings throughout 2011, join owner, Captain Kevin McCarthy, as we shuttle you over to Oyster Bay Yacht Club for a relaxing dinner before you return under the stars, hosted by Kevin as well. Visit www.ameliarivercruises.com for more details. White Oak Annual Celebration - ferry with Captain Kevin out of Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina on Sunday, April 10th, and arrive at 1 p.m. to enjoy the day's festivities, delicious dinner and trolley ride home on Amelia Island Trolleys. Call our office for more details or visit our website at www.ameliarivercruises.com. And don't miss out on our new summer Eco-Tours, beginning June 1st and running through August 31st this year. Join Kevin and naturalist/expert Andrea Margiotta as they take you on a 3-hour guided tour through the unique backwaters and drag an authentic Otter Trawl shrimp net. Passengers will learn about the flora and fauna, and view the sea life we drag up, as Andrea gives her expert narration on what we find before releasing the sea creatures back into the wild. More details are posted on our home page at www.ameliarivercruises.com. Two sneak peak tours open to the public for Eco-Tours - Thursday, April 7, and Saturday, April 16th. Don't miss out!

Two New Babies and More on the River!!!

What an exciting weekend! Early arrivals with baby horse #1 - Ethan (beautiful thick white blaze down his face!), followed by #2 - Ryan (also a thick white blaze down his face)!...someone's dad/Stallion has been busy :) !!!

An official "challenge" of the Stallions on the south end beach of Cumberland as two beautiful stallion got up on their hind legs, kicked at each other and continuously circled each other to win those females! 2011 promises to be full of new finds!

Spring Has Sprung on Amelia River Cruises!

Spring has definitely arrived on Amelia River Cruises! Our first baby horse on Cumberland Island - Ethan, three weeks old and still curious enough to stare at our passengers as we sail by. A stunning horse - has a beautifully thick, almost mask-like white blaze down his face.

First alligator spotted in front of the Greyfield Inn along the Cumberland River, with baby dolphins popping up along our journeys.

Lots of new tours coming this Spring and Summer too! New three-hour Eco-Tours slated for June - August, with an additional afternoon tour as well. Keep your eyes open for our newly-launched Discovery Tours, offering fun and informative day excursions to unique destinations throughout southeast Georgia and northeast Florida.

Beginning March 1st, we are 7 days a week at Amelia River Cruises, with ferry service between Fernandina Beach and St. Marys, GA by special request with 48 hour advance notice for groups on foot of 20 or more; cycling groups of 6 or more with bikes.

New web site almost ready for launching - check it out mid-March at http://www.ameliarivercruises.com/!