For nearly a century, Jungle Queen has been more than a scenic riverboat tour. It has been a Fort Lauderdale tradition, a family legacy, and one of the most recognizable ways generations of residents and visitors have experienced the city from the water.
Since 1935, Jungle Queen has carried guests through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, offering scenic cruises, dinner experiences, island entertainment, and a sense of nostalgia that has become part of the city’s identity. Alongside the Jungle Queen, the River Queen has also played an important role in the company’s story, serving as a vessel for special charters and private experiences.
The Jungle Queen was founded by Al Starts, who created a daytime marketplace. The concept was expanded to include a barbecue dinner cruise and show. In 1958, Earl Faber, Mike’s grandfather, bought the business and brought his Vaudeville talent to the operation. His flair for entertaining expanded the Jungle Queen operation for the next four years. His son, Jerome, took the helm in 1962 after the loss of his father. Jerome continued to expand the business, and in 1971 commissioned the Jungle Queen IV, a 400-passenger vessel. Fifty-Two years went by before Mike Faber stepped in to keep the legacy alive. What began as a riverboat attraction grew into something much larger: a destination, a gathering place, and a living piece of local history.
Over the years, the family has continued to preserve the island’s character while thoughtfully elevating the experience for new generations of guests.
Jungle Queen has also remained a highly visible part of Fort Lauderdale’s civic and cultural life, including its long-standing presence as a beloved highlight of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
Now, after 91 years of family stewardship, Jungle Queen begins a new chapter under the ownership of Bill Fuller.
Fuller is a co-owner of Ball & Chain, the historic Little Havana destination recently recognized as one of the best bars in America, and owner and managing partner of the iconic Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show. His work preserving and revitalizing historically significant hospitality destinations demonstrates an understanding of the care, creativity, and respect required to guide a beloved institution into its next era.
The connection feels especially fitting. Jungle Queen, Ball & Chain, and the Mai-Kai are each rooted in history, storytelling, atmosphere, and immersive hospitality.
As Jungle Queen prepares for its next era, the community can take comfort in knowing that one of its most beloved icons is being passed to an experienced local businessman who values legacy businesses.
