From the Pilot House

A Salute to Travel: National Travel & Tourism Week 2013

Did you know that each U.S. household would pay $1,060 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by travel and tourism? This week, we’re recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week and the importance of our industry to the economy as well as our part to help create lasting memories. Courtesy of the U.S. Travel Association and Travel Effect, check out these fact sheets about the widespread impact our industry is having on jobs, families and relationships.

Download Fact Sheet - Creating Lasting Memories

• 84% of respondents 55 or older still reminisce with their family about vacations they took years ago.

Download Fact Sheet - Travel Brings Families Closer Together

• More than half (55%) reported that “I have fond memories of vacations that I took as a child, and I want to create similar experiences for my family.”

Download Fact Sheet - Travel Strengthens Relationships

• Couples that travel together are significantly more likely to report that their relationship is more romantic, intimate and balanced.

Download US Travel - A Leading American Industry

• 1 out of every 8 U.S. jobs depends on travel and tourism.

Hornblower has been a leader in creating amazing experiences for over 32 years. During that time, we’ve attracted thousands of travellers in the 8 cities we cruise and held ourselves to the highest standard by providing excellence service and accommodations. Within the last decade we’ve expanded our role to enhance the experience at Alcatraz, Statue of Liberty, and most recently, Niagara Falls, where we will be opening in 2014.

You can follow and participate with us this week on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and From the Pilot House as we emphasize the significance of travel and tourism with fun facts and important tips. We'd love to hear some of your best memories cruising with Hornblower!

Kirstie Kelly Celebration Giveaway

Attention all future brides! We’ve joined together with one of the most talented wedding gown designers in the world for a very special giveaway. The winner will receive $250 towards a Kirstie Kelly wedding gown AND $1,000 towards a Hornblower wedding! That includes ceremonies, receptions, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners, after-wedding brunches, and engagement parties.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity and enter today for a chance to win! http://info.hornblower.com/kirstie-kelly-wedding/. Contest ends April 19th! For more about Kirstie Kelly Collections, visit http://kirstiekelly.com/. 

Thank you for cruising!

By upholding a commitment to service, our goal is to satisfy 100% of our guests 100% of the time. We genuinely appreciate those who come aboard and your feedback is encouraged. Not only do we try our best to meet your expectations, we wish to exceed them. With more sunny days ahead, celebrate everything spring has to offer and dine with us on the water! Here are a few recent reviews from customers we had the pleasure of serving.

Ron C., San Francisco

“Your dining cruise experience is one of the best in the Bay Area. On numerous occasions, we've taken family, friends, and visitors on dinner/dance cruises. We had a great time and everyone was satisfied. The service was great, the staff was great and went beyond expectations.” 

Christian, Greater Los Angeles, Vibe With Me

 

“I went on this Champagne Brunch Cruise in Marina Del Rey about a year ago and this is the epitome of what ‘Sunday Funday’ should be. Since the weather is slowly getting warmer, I would highly suggest to go between now and May, although, you always have the marine layer in the marina so I’m sure it would be just as beautiful during the summer months.”

 

We look forward to having you! Looking for a closer location? Feel free to visit www.hornblower.com for more information about the ports nearest you. Also, make sure to check back in later this week about changes to our San Diego Dinner Cruise Menu.

Great New Bag Designs

Crewmembers at Hornblower are constantly on the go! We work from boats and Islands, in California, New York and Canada and we need to be able to work from all these places. We also like to look to good! That's why we love HP's new partnership with Project Runway to create the perfect work bag.

For a few more days voting is open to the public! Our favorite is the 2 (Ways) 2 (Wear) Ultrabag! We think the flexibility is perfect when you spend your days hopping from shore to boat and we know and love the designer, Camille!

Vote for your favorite!

A Taste of the Far East

Today, we see sushi as a delicacy, something accessible, but also a treat. Sushi requires boldness, with its variety of intense flavors and raw fish, making it hard to believe that it was essentially a sandwich when originally created in South East Asia.

Luckily for you, we’re big fans, and in the spirit of diversity and adventurousness, we’ve crafted a snazzy new cruise…

Introducing our sushi and karaoke cruise! What better way to get to know your coworkers or get closer with your friends than rolling delicious sushi, sipping on sake, and belting your heart out as the beautiful San Diego scenery floats by. Our experienced sushi chef will help hone your craft while you enjoy every bite, sip, and sight!

The Olympics

Unless you live under a rock, you are well aware that the Olympics are in full swing. It seems every television is tuned to the same channel, with every fan out to support their nations finest in their pursuit of Olympic gold. These are the fields, the arenas, the pools, where dreams either come true or are crushed, where a single defining moment has the power to make years of training worth it.

Historically speaking, the first Olympic games began in Olympia (surprise, surprise…), Greece, in the year 776 BC. The games were closely linked to religion, and served to celebrate athletic prowess and perpetuate peaceful relations between the city-states.

Today we use the games for a similar mission. Sure, we’re not focused on glorifying Zeus, but we do seek to provide athletes with the stage and audience to be celebrated. Additionally, the games are a diplomatic feat, bringing nations together under five rings. So, show your support and national pride during this Olympic season! Even just watching is enough.

Photo Credit: http://www.olympic.org/photos/olympic-flame-burns-bright

Here Comes the Bride

If you’re headed anywhere near Pinterest prepare yourself for an onslaught of wedding ideas, decorations, dresses, cakes, flowers, and more. To a 21 year old, this at first seemed a bit daunting, but after clicking here and there and pinning this and that, I’ve been truly blown away by what I’ve found. 

Firstly, the amount of thought put into every tiny detail is extraordinary. Whether it’s a napkin ring or a seating chart, nothing is overlooked. At first I couldn’t get over the amount of work it all looked like, but as I continued to pin and repin I realized that every little thing was an expression of love. It is easy to approach weddings like a production, but in reality it is a celebration of love. Accordingly, it only makes sense that the thought, the attention to detail, are like saying “I love you” a million times.

It is impossible not to believe in love and surf Pinterest. Pinterest is like peering into a window of someone else’s life and then stealing whatever ideas strike your fancy. In this way, we get to bring some of that happiness into our own lives. 

As I continue to work at Hornblower, I’ve noticed that we are quite similar. We come up with grand ideas, and sort out even the smallest, seemingly insignificant detail, and then we get to make them a reality. The opportunity to provide the environment and the situation where people can find joy is pretty extraordinary, and it’s the reason our informal motto is “We create amazing experiences.” Day by day we work to provide the backdrop to your happiness. You are the reason we’re on Pinterest, just like you’re the reason we come to work every day. We want to know what you’re after so feel free to pin it, post it, like it, tweet it...we’ll be here.

Sweet Summertime

As the temperatures inch higher and higher and the sky is cloudless more often than not, I find myself with a problem; blindness. While the sun is enjoying its time out and about, my eyes are squinting into nothingness and begging for protection. For all of you with this problem, we've cruised (haha get it?!) around to find you the best of the best sunglasses to keep those peepers safe! And the best part is, they not only look great on your face, uping your "mysterious" vibe, but perfectly complement that casual yacht in the background...

I personally love the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer. So mysterious. You celebrity, you.

Speaking of celebrities...for further sunglasses inspiration check out these studs who recently accompanied us on the Emerald Hornblower in San Diego...

For some more real life inspiration, we've also snagged this gorgeous couple for you off another recent cruise...

Happy hunting!

 

On Your Own Turf

There are few things more exciting than travel. Unearthing a city’s secrets or exploring remote areas brings such adventure to our daily lives, as well as a fresh perspective. As a tourist, one is fully susceptible to the magic of a city, its people, its culture, its identity. We find ourselves willing to try risky foods, stay out all night dancing, and spend hour after hour just walking the streets. We open our eyes and our hearts to the splendor of our surroundings and make enjoying life our first priority.

What we forget is that we don’t have to pack a suitcase or hop on a plane to find adventure. Save yourself the stress of all those travel logistics and experience your city like a tourist. Grab your family and friends, visit all the stops, try something new, and fall in love with your hometown all over again.

Here at Hornblower we work to create experiences so that you can create memories. Whether you’re visiting or rediscovering the magic of your city, let us treat you to an adventure between the sea and the sky. 

The Rise of the Internship

Internships are valuable tools for both interns and employers.  Staffing younger, inexperienced individuals offers employers the ability to get more work done while paying little or no wages, and obtain a fresh new perspective.  For the intern, the opportunity means work experience, a resume builder, and the chance to test out whether you actually enjoy working in a particular field.

These days some universities are requiring undergraduates to amass a certain number of internship hours before they receive their degree.  What was once a fun learning experience is becoming a necessity for many college students to find a job after graduation.  While some object to little or no wages, many enjoy the experience and are optimistic about the effects of real on-the-job experience on their chances for the stable, well-paying job they aspire to.  Hornblower is proud to say that all of its interns are paid, and are often rehired when they reapply for employment

One of Hornblower’s summer interns had this to say about his internship: “In the month and a half I’ve been here, I’ve already learned so much.  Everyone in the office is extremely personable and has offered to teach me something new.  I never thought I’d get the chance to work like this while in college, and I’m really looking forward to the next couple months here!”  Another intern commented as well, saying: “I was required to find a full-time internship my last semester of college in order to graduate. I didn’t know what to expect but was excited to get hands on experience. The Hornblower team made me feel welcome, valued my opinions, and they were great mentors throughout my internship.  It was the perfect chance for me to get real work experience and expand my professional network."

If you are interested in an internship or employment with Hornblower you can search for openings and apply here.