Hornblower Cruises: San Diego Dinner Cruise & Brunch Cruise San Diego, CA

Where is the departure point?

You will be departing from the Pier 1 Hornblower Landing: 1800 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 whether its the San Diego brunch cruise or the San Diego dinner cruise.

How long is the cruise?

Both cruises are 2 hours long. Boarding time is usually 30 minutes prior to departure for all cruises. Please check the boarding time when making your reservation. See the selection above for the availability of the lunch or dinner cruise of your preferred dates!

Are there any age restrictions on the cruises?

There are no age restrictions for most of their cruises. Children under 4 are complimentary. All minors require adult supervision.

Is there parking?

Hornblower San Diego shares a parking lot with the USS Midway, but there are other pay to park options available. Parking fees are typically $8 for 4hrs and $12 for 12hrs.

Is the ship handicapped accessible?

Hornblower does have accessible yachts in the fleet. However, not all yachts and decks are accessible. Please call the number on your e-ticket to ensure handicap accessibility for the date you are planning to cruise.

What is the dress attire for the cruises?

You may find that some guests are dressed more formally, especially those celebrating special occasions. Bring along a light jacket or wrap as it may get a bit breezy on the outer decks. Here are the recommended outfits for the tour: (1) Lunch and Brunch Cruises: They recommend California casual attire, such as khaki pants and collared shirts. They request no shorts, tank tops, flip flops, or gym shoes. (2) 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. They request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or gym shoes on these cruises.

What to bring?

Bring a photo ID for this trip.

Is there pre-assigned seating for dinner cruises?

As you board, their 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. They assign seats based on needs and capacity for each cruise.

Will I get my own table?

On the majority of their cruises, they assign private tables to the individual parties. However, on some of their cruises, they do have cruise-style seating, where they 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.

Are there vegetarian options available for dinner cruises? Can I make a special menu request?

Yes, for dining cruises, vegetarian meals are available and can be arranged at the time of booking. They can also accommodate most other special dietary needs with advance notice. Please notify them via the number or email provided on your e-ticket.

Do we need to pre-select the menu before the day of cruising?

No, you do not need to pre-select your menu. Some of their cruises have multiple entrée options and they have a menu that you will choose from onboard. For their other cruises, they either have a preset menu or offer a buffet with a variety of options available.

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.

Is smoking allowed?

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

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, they ask that you check with their staff onboard before visiting the pilot house. They want to ensure that all passengers and crew are kept safe and that the captain is not distracted while performing essential duties.

Can I bring cakes and flowers on board?

Cakes may be brought on board, however, you will be charged a cake cutting fee. Small flower bouquets are also permitted. Please keep in mind you are on a ship, so top heavy arrangements will not be stable. Unfortunately, early boarding is not available.

Will I get seasick?

The vast majority of their guests experience no discomfort at all as they do not leave the calm waters of the harbor. If you tend to have a problem with motion sickness, you may experience seasickness. They recommend that if you are prone to motion sickness that you take advantage of a number of preventative measures that are available to you.

What happens if it rains or snow?

Hornblower sails rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard, they will remain dockside, but provide the full dining service.

Is gratuity included?

A service charge is collected at the time of reservation, related to the cruise and the service included in the ticket. If you wish to purchase additional beverages or food enhancements onboard, they recommend you leave a gratuity onboard based on the quality of service provided to you by your server.

Are you regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard?

Their vessels are all subject to inspections by the U.S. Coast Guards and their crew are all properly licensed. They also follow Marsec security guidelines. Should the Marsec security level be elevated, they may opt to increase security measures onboard their vessels to ensure everyone’s safety. The U.S. Coast Guard requires all passengers over 18 years of age to have valid photo identification. Please make sure to have your photo ID available at boarding.