Fantastic Fort Lauderdale: fun water taxi and new Jungle Queen show

Jungle Queen is an institution in Fort Lauderdale, a beloved icon of the city and a four-generation
enterprise.  She's "reinvented" her evening cruise, dinner and show on a private island. Delightful! 

Bruce Keller and Christene
"Cookie" Meyers transit the
waterways of Fort Lauderdale
on water taxis & Jungle Queen.

JUNGLE QUEEN IS 'REIMAGINED' WITH NEW DINNER SHOW PLUS FUN ON THE TOWN'S WATER TAXI  

Fort Lauderdale's unique water taxi service is a delight,
offering a relaxing, enjoyable way to reach many locales. 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

WE LOVE Fort Lauderdale, that seductive southern Florida city long beloved by the rich and famous.  Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had a bungalow there. Superstar Jennifer Lopez and retired  NBA star Shaquille O'Neal both own  luxurious waterfront properties with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and impressive outdoor pools.  Movie, sports and music stars own lavish homes with opulent dining rooms, Olympic size swimming pools, spas and outdoor kitchens as big as most peoples' homes.  Many stars and sports figures keep yachts here.  Stephen Speilberg's was anchored near our hotel. If you're flush, you can rent it for $1 million a week. 

Fun sights abound along
Fort Lauderdale's waterways.

We enjoy playing tourist, admiring these homes again and again aboard Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi.  We also enjoy Jungle Queen with its fun entertainment, waterways tour and revamped dinner show at its private island. We booked the "full Monty" including cruise, dinner and show.

JUNGLE QUEEN is one of South Florida’s best-known attractions, and recently debuted its new river cruise 

and island experience.  It's called “Ignite the Night." The moniker derives from fire torches waved artfully about in Jungle Queen's Polynesian show which follows a tasty island inspired dinner.

Bruce Keller and Christene
"Cookie" Meyers aboard
Jungle Queen for a lively
evening on land and water.

WE VISITED with other tourists after boarding near the Bahia-Mar Yachting Center. Libations in hand, we began a lively 90-minute sightseeing cruise along the New River past luxurious homes and the eye-catching downtown of Fort Lauderdale. Thousands have enjoyed Jungle Queen dinner cruises since the family owned company was born in 1935.   The evening's tropical isle visit is a tourist must with its entertaining Polynesian show and time to enjoy the gardens, birds and other wildlife. One may book the sightseeing cruise only if dinner and entertainment seem too much, but the four hours of the combined event offer a good deal for a family gathering or date night.

This pelican is ready for Jungle Queen to depart.

 We like to stay at the well located Hotel Bahia Mar on Seabreeze Blvd., a Hilton Doubletree.  We enjoy it because it's an easy walk to both Jungle Queen and Fort Lauderdale's famed Water Taxi dock, so we don't need to rent a car.  Once on board the spiffy Jungle Queen, we relaxed for a 90-minute sightseeing cruises along the New River past luxurious homes and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Jungle Queen entertains a mix of people enjoying
lovely homes, a clientele from around world.
 

The interesting commentary of the rich and famous and their homes is followed by arrival on the island.  Then the feast begins.  Drinks are available here and on the boat, from simple house wines to signature concoctions. There's time to wander, admire the trees and flowers, and an area devoted to the place's interesting history.  Don't miss this fascinating display of memorabilia -- pictures and mementos -- when you get to the island.

The Polynesian show is one of the most lively we've seen and we've seen dozens of them in Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa and elsewhere.  This one is first-rate, with  hula and fire dancers, fire eaters and more, expertly presented by Drums of Polynesia. 

IF YOU tried Jungle Queen a few years ago, it's time to revisit the evening because you'll see an entirely new show.

The Jungle Queen's private island is beautifully landscaped
and aglow with lights to highlight elaborate gardens. 

Says third-generation president Michael Faber. “We are excited that we've taken the evening in a new direction." He calls the show, "a new, reimagined Jungle Queen experience. Times and tastes change, and today’s audiences want something new."

SO THE old-fashioned Polynesian island show of yore has a new look, and is now what many consider one of the world's best.

The Polynesian show equals ones we've seen
in the South Pacific, with authentic dancers,
fine musicians and traditional hula garb.

The new adventure starts at 6 p.m. with the hour-long narrated sightseeing cruise. We joined 385 other passengers as we traveled down Fort Lauderdale’s New River and the Intracoastal Waterway, nicknamed “The Venice of America” The four-hour dinner and show ticket includes a tropical isle visit, a satisfying meal including chicken, ribs and all the fixings, and high quality island entertainment. We've seen dozens of shows in Fiji, the Hawaiian and Cook Islands.  We were surprisingly pleased with the high quality of this show.  It is respectful and lively, an authentic homage to the Pacific Islanders and their colorful songs, dances and religion.

FOR YEARS, we've enjoyed  

Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi
can take you many places.

Beautiful waterfront homes are part of the
allure of a water taxi ride. Jungle Queen
also offers a waterways tour with options.

Fort Lauderdale's unique Water Taxi system which offers 20 stops ranging from high-end shopping areas to seafood  restaurants, a lovely state park and a variety of bars, museums, galleries and historic sites. It's a lovely way to transit a beautiful city whether you're looking for a beverage at  Margaritaville, a souvenir to take home or a stroll along the gorgeous winding Riverwalk.  We always enjoy this easy going and relaxed mode of revisiting the highlights of the city.

Aboard both water taxi and Jungle Queen, one may contemplate the city's history, beauty and attractions while watching its vibrant water life pass by.

junglequeen.com

watertaxi.com

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Bruce Keller is "no hands" but Cookie Meyers isn't quite ready for that.
Join the couple next week for a Segway adventure in Fort Lauderdale.

NEXT UP:  Now that we've journeyed around Fort Lauderdale by water, we explore this inviting Florida city by land.  Not just any land transport, but a Segway tour! If you've been afraid to try a Segway, you're not alone. But our chief writer and editor, Christene "Cookie" Meyers, is a reformed Segway coward and born again Segway enthusiast, thanks to a wonderful guide and a beautiful venue. Enjoy Fort Lauderdale's pleasures on land next time, remembering to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, art, family, nature and more:

www.whereiscookie.com