Branson Landing Marina cruise boat sets sail

The luxury yacht is 100 feet by 20 feet and weighs more than 100 tons, and it requires a minimum of five feet of water to float. Built by La Crosse, Wis.-based Skipperliner Industries, the all-steel yacht has a fully equipped galley, two bars, four flat-screen TVs and a private bride’s dressing room, according to a Branson Landing Cruises news release.

The Princess will be moored at Gage’s Branson Landing Marina & Shoppes, a $6 million project at the landing developed by Justin and James Gage of Gage’s Family Entertainment and set to open later this year. Public cruises on the Branson Landing Princess could begin the weekend of Oct. 27.

“That’s the earliest it will be,” said Rhonda Hartzell, Branson Landing Cruises’ director of marketing.

A second sightseeing cruise boat called Branson’s Lake Queen will debut at Branson Landing in mid-November, according to the release. The double-decker paddle-wheel boat, which Hartzell said is still in Wisconsin, also was built by Skipperline.

Each boat will accommodate 150 passengers and offer four sightseeing cruises daily. A one-and-a-half-hour route will take sightseers north to The Old Gold Mine, and a two-hour route will include a round trip north to Rockaway Beach. The boats will be available for charters such as weddings, corporate events and private parties. There also are plans to have cruises with themes, such as jazz and blues music.

Shorty Small’s Restaurant and the marina shops are expected to open in January 2008. When Shorty Small’s restaurant at the marina opens, full lunch and dinner cruises will be offered. Until then, a deli lunch will be available with cruise reservations. When the fountain room opens in April, a grand opening for Branson Landing Marina will be held.

Carol S. Harris contributed to this story.[[In-content Ad]]