Introducing New Hygiene and Service Protocols to Ensure the Wellbeing of Everyone
Weehawken, NJ, July 1, 2020 – Hornblower Cruises and Events will be resuming its New Jersey operation at Lincoln Harbor Marina from Saturday, July 4, offering outdoor dining cruise experiences along the Hudson and East Rivers, as well as a pop-up dockside experience at Chelsea Piers for those looking to celebrate Independence Day on the water. With guest spaces spread over several levels, the company’s fleet of luxurious vessels offer expansive decks, providing plentiful space and fresh air. There is more than enough room on board for everyone to stay safely apart.
To provide reassurance in the current pandemic environment, Hornblower has expanded its industry defining SafeCruise by Hornblower program, building on already stringent sanitation processes, to incorporate further health-driven measures to guard against the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
Explaining the company’s preparations for welcoming guests back on board, Hornblower’s General Manager, Nilda Bracero said: “We are proud of our excellent safety and sanitation track record and always operate and maintain a rigorous process around cleanliness and hygiene. So, while our guests can still expect the same high standards and welcoming service, we are adapting our amazing experiences to reflect the need for social distance, alongside elevated health and hygiene practices.”
Hornblower has reviewed every aspect of the guest experience journey and is taking all steps necessary to ensure the wellbeing of everyone on board. These include, but are not limited to:
- Mandatory daily crew member health screening, and wearing of appropriate PPE
- Revising boarding and ticketing procedures to allow for social distancing and touchless entry
- Requiring guests to wear face masks while aboard, except while eating and drinking
- Reducing the number of guests on board, and adapting all seating and table spacing to allow for a minimum 6-foot distance between guests
- Implementing enhanced sanitation and disinfection procedures, with hand sanitizing stations available throughout
New Jersey Dining Cruise Experiences Resuming July 4
For those looking to set sail this Fourth of July holiday weekend, they can celebrate al-fresco style with fantastic views of the city’s renowned fireworks while enjoying a signature Dinner cruise. This exclusive 3-hour experience includes a delicious multi-course meal and Platinum open bar with cocktails, top shelf liquor, beers and wine, and is the perfect venue for social gatherings celebrating the holiday while enjoying the Big Apple’s bright city skyline. Available on evening of July 4, prices start from *$229.90.
Boasting one of the city’s most sought after roof decks, cruises aboard the Spirit of New Jersey sail year-round from its home port of Lincoln Harbor Marina. Guests can expect delicious cuisine while cruising along the Hudson and East Rivers. A regular program of outdoor dining experiences will be available from July 11 onwards, featuring unbeatable views of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty and a sophisticated selection of award-winning wines, craft beers and specialty cocktails. Prices start at *$69 (lunch), *$120 (dinner) and include a multi-course menu of freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts.
NYC Rooftop on the Dock – July 3, 4, 10
For those those looking to soak up the spectacular NYC skyline, Spirit of New York is opening its expansive deck for the ultimate rooftop experience. Located at Chelsea Piers, this exclusive outdoor pop-up is a fun alternative for social gatherings while listening to great tunes. A table-side bar service and light bites will be available for purchase. Entry is free, on a first come first serve basis and in accordance with current capacity limits.
Hornblower plans to gradually increase offerings throughout the summer, resuming its full range of experiences such as cocktail cruises and special events when current restrictions are lifted. For private groups, Hornblower Private Yachts also operates a choice of luxurious private charter experiences.
New Jersey and New York are the company’s most recent locations to open, joining Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, Norfolk, Sacramento, San Diego and Washington DC Metro, with the remainder of Hornblower’s 22 North American and UK locations slated to resume very soon.
For more information or to book a cruise experience, visit www.hornblower.com [https://www.hornblower.com/new-york/] or call 800-700-0735.
About SafeCruise by Hornblower
Established over 25 years ago, SafeCruise by Hornblower delivers industry-defining standards for health, safety and security across the Hornblower Group of companies. Continuously improving, the program follows the most up to date government and industry guidelines and applies decades-long operational expertise to ensure a safe environment for guests and crew members, while maintaining Hornblower’s excellent record of safety. www.hornblower.com/safecruise
About Hornblower Cruises and Events
Hornblower Cruises and Events is North America’s largest and leading provider of water-based dining, sightseeing, private charter and transportation experiences. 22 coveted destinations are offered in the US, Canada and the UK, where the company employs over 4,300 shipmates who operate a fleet of 157 vessels serving upwards of 9.8 million guests each year. Hornblower Cruises and Events is a division of Hornblower Group which operates the official ferry boat service to Alcatraz Island, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Memorial Museum on behalf of the National Park Service as well as the New York NYC Ferry, American Queen Steamboat Company, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Victory Cruises Lines and HMS Global Maritime. The expansive portfolio reflects almost a century of sector expertise and innovation – from pioneering the earliest river sightseeing tours and dining cruises to developing the revolutionary Hornblower Hybrid, a vessel powered by wind, solar and battery electricity. For more information visit www.hornblower.com