Journalist

Patrick Connolly

Patrick Connolly serves as the Orlando Sentinel's Central Florida Explorer, covering events, entertainment, arts, music, travel and outdoors as a multimedia journalist for the Things to Do team. A graduate of Ohio University and a Pittsburgh native, he previously interned at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and now has a decade of professional journalism experience. He enjoys exploring Florida's outdoors by paddling, hiking and cycling, and sometimes playing musical instruments in his free time.

A trio of festive surfers gather on one paddle board during Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach on Dec. 24, 2025. The annual event gathers people for Sunshine State holiday cheer and catching waves, Santa style. This year was estimated to have record-breaking attendance with over 12,000 visitors. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Pictures: Thousands of ‘Surfing Santas’ congregate on Cocoa Beach

December 24, 2025 at 9:20 p.m.

"Surfing Santas," which started as a humble gathering of a few families and friends, has grown to a record-breaking attendance of more than 12,000 people.

On Deck 15, Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady has a small well-being pool and a bar at PortMiami’s Terminal V on Oct. 16. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Cruise Critic awards: Port Canaveral named best homeport, Virgin crowned best line

December 15, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

Cruise Critic's 2025 Best in Cruise Awards named the best cruise lines, the best new ships, best dining and cruisers' choice, among other categories.

Florida manatees congregate in Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Swim with Florida’s sea cows in Crystal River, the ‘Manatee Capital of the World’

December 8, 2025 at 9:49 a.m.

Share the water with Florida's sea cows, encountering them in an up-close and personal way on a tour while visiting the aptly-named "Manatee Capital of the World."

A pair of Florida manatees float in Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Manatee protection may be eroded under Trump administration’s proposed changes to Endangered Species Act

December 2, 2025 at 9:54 a.m.

Environmentalists say the proposed rollbacks could threaten the lives of sea cows through habitat loss, pollution and development.

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas arrives at Port Canaveral on Aug. 9. The company’s second Icon-class ship is the world’s largest cruise ship. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Cruise lines unveil Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals

November 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Virgin, Celebrity and MSC offer instant savings, package deals and free guests during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

The sail away party features Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck and other characters on board the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s new Wish-class ship. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Review: Disney Destiny brings storytelling magic to experiences at sea

November 21, 2025 at 5:32 a.m.

Known primarily for its land-based theme parks, Disney has found ways of translating its signature experiences to more intimate experiences on the Disney Destiny, plus a new Broadway-style "Hercules" show.

The Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady is docked at PortMiami’s Terminal V in October. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Virgin, Viking and Disney top U.S. News & World Report’s annual cruise rankings

November 18, 2025 at 11:59 a.m.

Virgin Voyages, Viking Ocean Cruises and Disney Cruise Line took the top spots in the 12th U.S. News & World Report Best Cruise Lines rankings.

Star Princess is docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 10, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Pictures: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess in Port Everglades

November 14, 2025 at 12:52 p.m.

Princess Cruises sailed its 17th ship Star Princess into Port Everglades to begin its first Caribbean sailing season.

Captains Mickey and Minnie, godmother Susan Egan, Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, and Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, christen the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s new Wish-class ship, during a ceremony at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 10, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Florida-based Disney Destiny cruise ship christened with drone show magic

November 12, 2025 at 7:51 a.m.

Godmother and actor Susan Egan helped officially launch the company's third Wish-class ship and the cruise line's seventh overall ship in Port Everglades.

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