Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dress attire for the cruises?

River, Harbor & Whale Watching Tours: Casual attire, such as shorts and t-shirts are appropriate. We recommend bringing along a light jacket or wrap as it may get breezy on board, especially for those cruises that occur out on the open ocean.

 

Lunch and Brunch Cruises: We recommend California casual attire, such as khaki pants and collared shirts. We request no shorts, tank tops, flip flops, or gym shoes.

Dinner Cruises: Business casual to dressy casual attire is recommended. For men, slacks or khaki pants, and a collared shirt with or without a jacket; for women slacks or skirt, with a collared shirt, or dress. We request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or gym shoes on these cruises.

You may find that some guests are dressed more formally, especially those celebrating special occasions. However, attire varies from comfortable shorts to the more formal. Bring along a light jacket or wrap as it may get a bit breezy on the outer decks.

What time do I board the ship?

Boarding time is usually 30 minutes prior to departure for all cruises. Please check your boarding time when making your reservation.

 

In addition to purchasing enhancements, we are happy to acknowledge all special occasions onboard. Please let us know what your celebrating and the name(s) of those being honored, and our entertainment will be happy to make an announcement during the cruise.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is allowed on the outside decks only with the exception of Harbor Tours, Sights & Sips, Barefoot Music Cruises, and Whale Watching Cruises. Please dispose of all refuse in proper receptacles. Do not throw anything into the water. Please help us keep our harbors clean.

Is there pre-assigned seating?

As you board, our captain and marine crew will direct you to your deck. From there the host/hostess will show your party to your assigned table(s). Decks are never guaranteed to non-private groups. We assign seats based on needs and capacity for each cruise.

Will I get my own table?

On the majority of our cruises, we assign private tables to the individual parties. However, on some of our cruises, we do have cruise-style seating, where we will ask you to share a table with other parties. If this is the case, you will be told if this is the case at the time you make your reservation.

What kind of entertainment is on board?

Hornblower offers inviting dance floors and a variety of music, from the dance hits of the 40’s through today as well as a variety of jazz, standards and popular favorites. Depending on the cruise, it may be background music, a DJ or a live band. Please check online or ask one of our reservations agents for more details about the planned entertainment for your specific cruise.

Can we meet the captain and visit the pilot house?

Yes. Guests are welcome to come and meet the Captain and the First Officer. However, for safety and security reasons, we ask that you check with our staff onboard before visiting the pilot house. We want to ensure that all passengers and crew are kept safe and that the captain is not distracted while performing essential duties.