Talks with El Galeon continue during stay’s second extension

St Johns County Visitor and Convention Bureau reported to Historic City News that the final Florida port stop for the Viva Florida 500 Voyage of El Galeón is being extended. Originally scheduled for departure on Monday, June 3, due to the large volume of visitors, that stay was extended through June 23, and now, is being extended until Monday, July 8th.

The authentic wooden replica 16th century Spanish galleon will remain in port and open for public tours daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., except July 4th, when tour hours will take place 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children; ages 6 to 12, and children age 5 and under are free.

“The floating El Galeón museum, built in Seville, Spain, is concluding an educational expedition along a historic route similar to Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León 500 years ago,” said Glenn Hastings, executive director of the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. “While visitors continue to tour and enjoy the ship, officials are considering plans for future endeavors; such as sailing up the Atlantic Coast to New York City, and possible use of El Galeon in film productions.”

The vessel’s owners, Fundacion Nao Victoria, have been in discussion with City Manager John Regan about the possibility of returning to St Augustine for an extended stay as part of 450th Commemoration activities continuing through 2015. At Monday evening’s regular meeting of the St Augustine City Commission, Regan will make a presentation and ask for authorization to execute a “Home Port” agreement with the Foundation. A copy of the proposed agreement or the financial terms it contains was not available Friday.

Tickets for El Galeón are available at Ripley’s Red Train Tours ticket booths – including the ticket booth at the carpet golf attraction adjacent to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina – and the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center.