ST. PETERSBURG — Capt. Mark Eaton steered the StarLite Princess out of Boca Ciega Bay and past Tierra Verde on Saturday, just in time to catch the sun setting on the Gulf of Mexico.
Below deck, couples danced to Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight as the boat swayed. As the passengers disembarked, Eaton thanked them for coming on the StarLitePrincess' last voyage in St. Pete Beach.
The cruise boat, which seats more than 130 people, departs today for Daytona Beach, where it will operate during the summer.
StarLite Cruises' owner Phil Henderson said that for years he wanted to expand the cruises to the state's east coast. A 20 percent dip in profits this year precipitated the move.
"This was the catalyst we needed, although it wasn't quite the original plan," he said.
StarLite operates lunch and dinner cruises as well as nature and dolphin cruises.
The Princess will cruise in the Palm Beaches from October to May, according to the company's Web site.
But St. Pete Beach will not be without a cruise boat, Henderson said.
The StarLite Majesty in Clearwater will make trips in St. Pete Beach on Tuesdays and Fridays. Princess employees were offered positions in Clearwater, said Henderson.
StarLite will offer a destination cruise to John's Pass on days the Majesty will move from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach, he said. Guests could then take the beach trolley back to Clearwater.
The first Daytona Beach cruise will be June 12.
Eaton will steer the Princess through the Lake Okeechobee waterway on the three-day trip across the state.
For the captain, it's a career coming full circle. Eaton started his marine career on the Dixie Queen in Daytona Beach in 1987. He has been captaining the Princess for 15 years and will take the helm in Daytona Beach.
Eaton will miss the camaraderie in St. Petersburg, he said. You can't hide from a co-worker on a boat.
Henderson said he plans to bring another boat back to St. Pete Beach in two years.
Jackie Alexander can be reached at (727) 893-8779 or jdalexander@sptimes.com.
Fast facts
Switching ships
The StarLite Majesty, a 115-foot dining yacht, will take over for the Princess in St. Pete Beach. Destination cruises to John's Pass will be on Tuesdays and Fridays. Get reservations online at www. starlitecruises.com or by phone at (727) 462-2628.
Clearwater Beach Marina
Boards: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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