Mrs. Claus ready to welcome children and their adult guests on board for the "Candy Cane Cruise."

BRANSON, Mo., December 4, 2012 — When Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess left her moorings at Noon on Dec. 1st she had some very special passengers on board. About 100 children, parents, grandparents and escorts joined two of Santa’s Elves and Mrs. Claus for a special Christmas experience on Branson’s very first “Candy Cane Cruise.”

Mrs. Claus personally greeted each family as they boarded the Princess and went into the main cabin of the 100 foot luxury yacht. As the Princess pulled away from the dock, Mrs. Claus came in and explained that although Santa was unable to be there for the cruise he had said that he would do all that he could to be at the Branson Landing Fountain when the boat passed by and wave. As the boat started its less than ten minute trip to the Fountain, she answered questions about the North Pole, Santa, the reindeer and other questions that the excited children asked.

Less than ten minutes after leaving the dock, as the Princess approached the Fountain, amid the excitement and hope that Santa would be there, every eye was looking for him to appear. And, sure enough, to everyone’s delight, just a few seconds after arriving at the Fountain, Santa did appear at the top of the stairway to the Fountain and waved.

Santa himself took time from his work to come and greet as the Candy Cane Cruise as it passed.

As the Princess turned to start her downstream leg of the cruise, Mrs. Claus continued answering questions and sharing her personal stories about how Santa does what he does and what goes on at the North Pole. Then everyone joined in with Mrs. Claus and the Elves in singing Christmas songs before she quieted everyone down and read them the story “The Night Before Christmas.” The rapt attention of her young audience as she read was a joy to behold.

After the story, she asked the children to write Santa Claus a letter telling him what they wanted for Christmas and told them that she would see that Santa Claus got them. As the children concentrated on writing their letters, one could almost feel the excitement in the air. It was a very special time, perhaps best summed up by Larry Milton, one of the principle owners of Main Street Lake Cruises as he said, with a big grin on his face, “This is so cool.”

As the children finished their letters they were picked up and put in a basket by one of the Elves and everyone enjoyed milk and cookies. While they were writing the letters and having the cookies and milk the children were given the opportunity to go into the bridge and steer the boat under the watchful eye of Captain Ayers.

As the Princess docked and the children left the boat, the last thing they saw leaving the cabin was the basket filled with their letter to Santa Claus that Mrs. Claus was going to deliver. Unknown to the children, Santa Claus had already “answered” their letters with a response that each of the adult guests received as they left the boat and could deliver to the children at the appropriate time. Mrs. Claus wished everyone a “Merry Christmas” and each was given a Candy Cane by one of the Elves.

Although the inaugural and remaining 2012 “Candy Cane Cruises were fully booked, they were free and offered by Main Street Lake Cruises and the Branson Tourism Center as a way of wishing the families in the Branson area a “Merry Christmas.” If the excited looks of happiness on the faces of the children and their adult guests as they left the boat were any indication they not only enjoyed their cruise and time with Mrs. Claus, but are ready to continue having a “Merry Christmas.”