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.
Sikring af alle om bord
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:
- Obligatorisk daglig sundhedsscreening af besætningsmedlemmer og brug af passende personlige værnemidler
- Ændring af procedurerne for boarding og billettering for at give mulighed for social afstand og berøringsfri adgang
- Krav om, at gæsterne skal bære ansigtsmasker under sejladsen, undtagen når de spiser og drikker
- Reducing the number of guests on board, and adapting all seating and table spacing to allow for a minimum 6-foot distance between guests
- Indførelse af forbedrede hygiejne- og desinfektionsprocedurer med hånddesinfektionsstationer overalt
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
Om SafeCruise by Hornblower
SafeCruise by Hornblower blev etableret for over 25 år siden og leverer branchedefinerende standarder for sundhed, sikkerhed og sikring på tværs af Hornblower Group of Companies. Programmet forbedres løbende og følger de nyeste retningslinjer fra myndigheder og industrien og anvender årtiers operationel ekspertise for at sikre et sikkert miljø for gæster og besætningsmedlemmer, samtidig med at Hornblowers fremragende sikkerhedsstatistik opretholdes. www.hornblower.com/safecruise
Om Hornblower Cruises og Events
Hornblower Cruises and Events er Nordamerikas største og førende udbyder af vandbaserede middage, sightseeing, privat charter og transportoplevelser. Der tilbydes 22 eftertragtede destinationer i USA, Canada og Storbritannien, hvor selskabet beskæftiger over 4.300 skibsfolk, der driver en flåde på 157 skibe, som betjener op mod 9,8 millioner gæster hvert år. Hornblower Cruises and Events er en afdeling af Hornblower Group, der driver den officielle færgefart til Alcatraz Island, Frihedsgudinden og Ellis Island Memorial Museum på vegne af National Park Service samt New York NYC Ferry, American Queen Steamboat Company, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Victory Cruises Lines og HMS Global Maritime. Den omfattende portefølje afspejler næsten et århundredes ekspertise og innovation inden for sektoren - fra pionerarbejde med de første sightseeingture på floder og krydstogter til udvikling af det revolutionerende Hornblower Hybrid, et fartøj, der drives af vind-, sol- og batterielektricitet. For yderligere oplysninger, se www.hornblower.com