Offering Dining and Sightseeing Experiences on North America’s Iconic Waterways to Celebrate the Holiday
Chicago, August 28, 2020 – Summer may be coming to an end, but for those craving a getaway close to home, Hornblower Cruises and Events is celebrating the holiday weekend with a host of dining and sightseeing experiences. While guests can expect the same high standards and welcoming service, experiences have been adapted to reflect the need for social distance, alongside elevated health and hygiene practices. And with expansive decks both inside and out, there is plentiful fresh air and more than enough room on board for everyone to stay safely apart. Some of the experiences offered include:
CHICAGO
Recreate a Worldly Voyage from Your Own Backyard
Forget Paris… did you know you can enjoy a Seine-like experience with Chicago style? Who needs to travel to Europe, when you can savor an up-close and immersive exploration of Chicago’s eponymous river aboard Hornblower’s luxurious glass-topped vessel, Odyssey Chicago River! Expect fine dining and 360-degree panoramic views of jaw-dropping architecture while gliding past the revitalized and bustling river walk. Prices start from $64.90 for lunch, $89.90 for brunch or $124.90 for dinner. Cruises depart just off the Magnificent Mile, next to NBC Tower. www.hornblower.com or call 888-957-2634.
Fast-Paced Thrills on the Windy City’s Waterways
Too much to do, too little time. Go on a lightning-fast cruise this Labor Day weekend! It’s fast and furious aboard the Seadog, which jets off from Navy Pier and speeds along Lake Michigan taking in the city sights in 30 minutes! With outdoor seating only, rides aboard Seadog are a 100% windswept affair. Adult prices from $30.95, Child $23.95 (Lakefront Tour) and $37.45, Child $27.84 (Extreme Thrill). Departs from Navy Pier, 600 Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611. www.hornblower.com or call 888-957-2634.
SAN DIEGO
Be Wonderstruck Whale Watching off the Pacific Coast
Take to the crystal blue waters of the Pacific and explore the remarkable marine habitat that’s home to a wealth of aquatic life from dolphins, sea lions and a variety of whale species. Regarded as peak season for viewing these magnificent mammals, those aboard Hornblower’s Summer Whale Watching
experience might spot gigantic blue whales over the next few months as they migrate into southern California waters to feed off huge shoals of krill. Live narration is supported by an onboard docent from the San Diego Natural History Museum to field any tricky questions from enquiring minds! Tours operate Friday through Monday between 9am-1pm. Prices start at $55.00 / Child $27.50. Cruises depart Piers 1 & 2, Hornblower Landing, N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. www.hornblower.com or call 855-253-7943.
California Vibes and Starry Skies
Whether you’re in search of first date spots or looking to spice up your current relationship, an evening cruise on the Bay makes for the perfect rendezvous al fresco. Enjoy the ultimate table for two on the elegant open deck of one of Hornblower’s sleek yachts while admiring the twinkling lights of the San Diego shoreline. Feast on a delicious three-course menu paired with sommelier-curated wines and handcrafted cocktails for the perfect date night. Offered seven days a week, dinner cruise prices start
from $89.00. Lunch and Brunch dining cruises are also offered. Cruises depart Piers 1 & 2, Hornblower Landing, N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. www.hornblower.com or call 855-253-7943.
GANANOQUE, CANADA
Explore the Endless Shorelines of Canada’s Most Spectacular Region
The 1000 Islands are just a few hour’s drive and a world away from the cosmopolitan environs of Ottawa and Toronto. Gananoque Boat Line by Hornblower – the largest and oldest cruise company in the 1000 Islands – is operating several cruise experiences over the holiday weekend from its quaint harbor. On the hour-long Original Heart of the 1000 Islands Cruise, expect up-close views of the lush shoreline lined with historic cottages and summer homes as you sail through the narrow channels of the Admiralty and Navy group of islands. Prices from $26.35 (Child ages 6-12 from $17.13, ages 5 under free). Alternatively, the Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Attraction Cruise follows a leisurely route along the St. Lawrence River taking in views of Boldt Castle, the 1000 Islands International Bridge and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as side-scan sonar images of notable wrecks below the surface. Prices from $37.16. Multiple daily departures from Gananoque Port, 280 Main Street, Gananoque. www.ganboatline.com or call 888-717-4837.
WASHINGTON D.C.
Monumental Views While on the Move
Avoid the holiday crowds and navigate the Capital aboard the Potomac Water Taxi. One of the most efficient and eco-friendliest ways of navigating DC, you’ll see iconic monuments from an entirely new and reflective perspective while speeding along the Potomac. Several routes connect key tourist, commercial and entertainment districts with stops at Alexandria, Georgetown, the District Wharf and National Harbor and are an inexpensive way to get out on the river over the holiday weekend. One-way water taxi prices start at $13.00 (Adult) $9.00 (child). GPS narration is also offered on the Monuments Tour water taxi service running daily between District Wharf and Georgetown every two hours from $13.00 (Adult) $9.00 (child), and Friday through Sunday between Alexandria and Georgetown costing from $18.00 (Adult) $9.00 (child). www.hornblower.com or call 888-302-2469.
Keeping Everyone Safe Onboard
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. 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 cruising, 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
For private groups, Hornblower Private Yachts also offers a choice of luxurious charter experiences in over 20 locations across North America and the UK. For more details on private charters and other on-water experiences available visit www.hornblower.com
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