Newsroom
Press & Media
Welcome to Hornblowerâs news and media hub. Stay up to date with the latest on our water and land-based news, partnerships, and innovations.
If you are a member of the media and would like to speak to our communications team, please email us and we will be happy to help.
Latest News
10.07.24
Hornblower Group Names Tony Walker as Senior Vice President of Sales
Hornblower Group today announced that Tony Walker has joined the companyâs executive team as the Senior Vice President of Sales. Reporting to CEO Mike Flaskey, Walker will lead global sales activities across Hornblowerâs diverse portfolio of water- and land-based experiences. He will be responsible for transforming the existing global sales teams and activities into one integrated, high-performing sales function.
10.03.24
Hornblower Group Names Michelle Mason Chief People Officer
Hornblower Group today announced the appointment of Michelle Mason as its new Chief People O;icer. Joining Hornblower Groupâs executive team and reporting to CEO Mike Flaskey, Mason brings more than 25 years of experience in HR and strategic consulting services for international corporations.
09.10.24
Hornblower Group Appoints Lisa Lutoff-perlo As Chairwoman Of The
Board
Hornblower Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Lutoff-Perlo as the Chairwoman of the Board, effective immediately. A renowned and award-winning leader in the global hospitality and cruise industries, Lutoff-Perlo will play a crucial role in guiding Hornblowerâs strategic direction and fostering growth, innovation, and operational excellence across the companyâs diverse portfolio of businesses.
08.01.24
Hornblower Group Announcement Of Mike Flaskey As CEO
Hornblower Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Flaskey as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Flaskey brings to the Hornblower portfolio a wealth of relevant experiences, having previously held senior leadership positions at Wyndham Vacation and Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Diamond Resorts.
07.03.24
Hornblower Group Successfully Completes Financial Restructuring
Hornblower Group announced today that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring process and emerged with new majority ownership, a focused portfolio and financial flexibility to support its growth over the long-term, allowing the company to continue to serve world-class experiences to its millions of guests and commuters across the globe.
06.07.24
Hornblower Group Receives Court Approval for Financial Restructuring Plan
Hornblower Group today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed the Companyâs Plan of Reorganization. Hornblower expects to successfully complete its financial restructuring and emerge from the Court-supervised process in the coming weeks.
05.20.24
Statue City Cruises Announces Extended Operating Hours to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Beginning Memorial Day Weekend; Launches New App to Deliver Unforgettable Experiences for Guests
Statue City Cruises, the official and only authorized concessioner for ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island on behalf of the National Park Service, announced today extended operating hours to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration beginning Memorial Day weekend in anticipation of the busiest summer yet.
05.14.24
Convene and City Cruises Announce a Brand New Cross-Referral Partnership for Corporate Clients
Convene, a global hospitality company that designs, builds, and
operates premium meeting, event, and flexible office spaces, and City Cruises, which operates
dining, sightseeing, and private event cruises and is part of City Experiencesâ expansive portfolio
of water- and land-based experiences, announced today a new cross-referral partnership in
select U.S. cities.
04.10.24
NYC Ferry Springs Forward Hitting A Record-Setting Ridership Start to 2024
NYC Ferry announced today a record-setting start to the year,
with more than 1,081,878 riders traveling onboard the system between January 1 and March 31, 2024.
03.25.24
Walks and Devour Tours Launch New One-of-a-Kind Experiential Offerings Across Europe
Rapidly expanding its diverse portfolio of tour experiences in European destinations like
Greece, Spain, England, France and more, City Experiences delivers unmatched explorations
of major cultural sites, lesser-known haunts, family-run eateries and more through its
partners, Walks and Devour Tours.
03.25.24
Niagara City Cruises Announces 2024 Season with Another Early Opening for Tours to Iconic Falls
Niagara City Cruises is preparing for another early
opening in 2024 for the popular Niagara Falls boat tour. Rated as one of Canadaâs most
memorable experiences, Niagara City Cruises will begin its 2024 season on Thursday,
March 28âjust in time for the long Easter weekend.
10.16.23
Hornblower Group Promotes Exceptional Senior Talent To New Roles
Hornblower Group announced today the promotions of several key members of its leadership team,
signaling a strategic move towards reinforcing its commitment and dedication to further building
the organization as a global experiences and transportation leader.
08.08.23
Hornblower Group Selected As Operator For NYC Ferry System
Hornblower Group, The Global Leader in Experiences and Transportation, To Continue To Provide
Their Unmatched Maritime Industry Expertise For The NYC Ferry System And Build Off Success Of
Mayor Adamsâ NYC Ferry Forward Plan.
07.26.23
Hornblower Group, In Partnership With The Parco Archeologico Del Colosseo, Unveils A New
Restoration Of The Colosseum Underground In Rome
This all-new exhibition brings forward the history of the Colosseum Underground as visitors are
transported back nearly 2,000 years to Ancient Rome with an immersive tour experience featuring
digitally projected gladiators, specialty curated artifacts and more!
July 2023
Save Up To 40% On Cruise Excursions With Venture Ashore
Venture Ashoreâs Essential Collection provides travelers with cruise tours
without the cruise line prices.
07.19.23
Anchor Operating System And Digonex Selected To Power Ticketing At The Toronto Zoo
The partnership will maximize revenue and optimize experience for attendees.
06.19.23
Fishers Island Ferry Selects Anchor Operating System As Its Preferred Ticketing Partner
The partnership aims to enhance efficiency and provide an improved passenger experience for
riders.
05.16.23
Anchor⢠Announces Mark Martorana As New Senior Vice President Of Revenue
Martorana Will Be Responsible for Overseeing the Revenue Team and Developing Global Strategies
to Drive Growth as Anchor⢠Expands to New Industries, From Transportation to Parks & Zoos.
efforts.
03.29.23
Anchor⢠Operating
System Officially Becomes Independent Division Of Hornblower Group
Becoming its own independent division will allow anchor to focus on meeting third-party external
partners needs as a digital ticketing operating system provider.
03.08.23
Hornblower Group Names
Karen Difulgo
Chief People Officer
Hornblower Group announced today Karen DiFulgo
has joined the company as Chief People Officer. Ms. DiFulgo will report to Adam Peakes,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hornblower Group.
12.05.22
Venture Ashore Named
âBest for Shore Excursionsâ at the 2022 U.K. Wave Awards
The worldâs largest independent cruise excursion provider,Venture Ashore by City Experiences,
wins its first major industry award for their unique and tailor-made experiential offerings in
top global destinations
12.08.22
Metro-north railroad
and City Experiences announce Walks as new official operator of grand central terminal
tour
MTA Metro-North Railroad and City Experiences today announced global tours and experiences
provider, Walks, as the new operator of the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour.
11.08.22
POLARIS LaboratoriesÂŽ
Announces Fluid Analysis Program Champion Awards
Annually, POLARIS LaboratoriesÂŽ recognizes three customers for achieving
excellence in their fluid analysis programs. Award finalists are chosen based on fluid analysis
program performance, sample compliance, team buy-in and continuous program improvement
efforts.
06.10.22
Hornblower Group Names
Brendan Smith President of Seaward Services, Inc.
Hornblower Group announced today that Brendan Smith, formerly VP of
Engineering, NYC Ferry, has been named President of Seaward Services, Inc. Brendan will report
to Scott Thornton, chief operating officer of Hornblower Groupâs Ferries and Transportation
Division..
05.25.22
Falls Fireworks Cruise
to Return this Season
Niagara City Cruises will resume the popular evening cruise this weekend.
Itâs even more memorable from the deck of a Niagara City Cruises catamaran at the base of the
Horseshoe Falls.
05.19.22
City Experiences
announces its first U.S. food tour, offered exclusively by Devour Tours, as it expands its
land-based Experience offerings in New York City
The Greenwich Village NYC food tour takes guests on an exclusive culinary
journey through one of Manhattanâs most iconic neighborhoods to experience the cuisine that
shaped its beginnings.
05.16.22
Hornblower receives
grant from the
U.S. Department of energy to build the first ever Green Maritime Hydrogen Fueling Station in the
United States
The first of its kind in the world, the design and construction is currently
underway, marking an industry-first in global transportation and green technology.
05.10.22
City experiences
redefines how guests see the world with its one-of-a-kind experiential offerings across major
global destinations
Representing a diverse portfolio water and land-based experiences in top
global cities, City Experiences delivers guests with an unmatched experiential journey that can
only be delivered through its own renowned Crew and expert Tour Guides.
05.02.22
Niagara City Cruises
to Open Motherâs Day Weekend
Operating on a condensed weekend schedule starting May 6, 2022, the popular
Voyage to the Falls tour will run Friday to Monday between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Regular daily
service will return in June.
04.28.22
Bridgeport Boatworks
and Hornblower Marine Announce Local Scholarships
Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Marine announced today the launch of six
scholarships supporting students at Porter & Chester Instituteâs Bridgeport campus.
04.27.22
WINDEA CTV Starts
Construction of Three Crew Transfer Vessels Aimed for U.S. Offshore Wind Market
WINDEA CTVLLC, aUS operator of offshore wind Crew Transfer Vessels(CTVs),
announced today that it has commenced construction of three30-meterhybrid ready CTVs.
04.12.22
Hornblower Group Names
Adam C. Peakes Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Hornblower Group announced today Adam C. Peakes has joined the company as
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Peakes will report to Kevin Rabbitt,
chief executive officer, Hornblower Group.
02.15.22
City Experiences
Announces Venture Ashore, The World's Largest Independent Shore Excursion Provider
Venture Ashore becomes the newest addition to the City Experiences portfolio
of brands, further extending the companyâs land-based experience offerings in top tourism
destinations around the world.
02.15.22
Hornblower Group
Acquires Australian Based Experiential Travel Group, Journey Beyond
The purchase adds to Hornblowerâs growing portfolio of world-class travel
experiences and expands the companyâs global footprint further into Australia.
01.26.22
Hornblower Acquires
Two Major Offshore Vessels Now Available For Charter
The Global Leader in Experiences and Transportation will offer the two
Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels for hire/charter, expanding the companyâs government and commercial
portfolio under the Seaward Servicesâ brand.
12.07.21
City Experiences Names
Rinat Glinert Chief Operating Officer Of Venture Ashore
Launching In Early 2022, Glinert Will Lead Business Efforts For Venture
Ashore, The Largest And Most Experienced Independent Shore Excursion Company In The World.
12.01.21
Set Sail This Holiday
Season With City Cruises New York Offering Newly Added Festive Dining Experiences
Splash Onto The New York Holiday Scene Aboard City Cruises New York With
One-Of-A-Kind Experiences To Celebrate Christmas And New Yearâs.
10.26.21
Devour Tours Joins
City Experiencesâ Portfolio Of Travel Offerings
Under the global experiences provider Walks, Devour Tours will further extend
the companyâs culinary reach by providing one-of-a-kind food and wine tours in top tourism
destinations around the world
09.27.21
City Cruises San
Francisco Celebrates Fleet Week 2021
View The Spectacular Blue Angels Aboard A City Cruise During Fleet Week On
San Francisco BayÂ
09.09.21
City Experiences
Announces VIP Key Master Tour, Offered Exclusively By
Join The Vaticanâs Key Master On An Ultimate VIP Tour As The First To Step
Inside The Renowned Museum Before It Opens To The Public, And Even Help Turn On The Lights!
09.01.21
Hornblower Introduces
âSea Changeâ The First Zero-Emissions Commercial Ferry Powered 100% By Hydrogen Fuel
Cells
The global leader in experiences and transportation will offer the vessel for
hire/charter in partnership with SWITCH Maritime to deliver an enhanced passenger experience
with technological advancements in maritime decarbonization
08.27.21
Alcatraz City Cruises
Announces Restart Of Alcatraz Island Night Tour Programs
Beginning September 9, Alcatraz City Cruises will offer after-hours visits
of the famed San Francisco landmark for the first time in more than a year.
08.19.21
View the Spectacular
Reimagined Air & Water Show While Enjoying an Afternoon Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
Set sail with City Cruises Chicago to dine and watch the incredible U.S. Navy
Blue Angels fly with the best seats in the city â the water!
08.03.21
Three Renowned San
Diego Institutions Come Together to Launch the Official San Diego Adventure Experience
Combination Ticket Package
This Exclusive Ticket Package, Powered by Anchorâ˘, Allows Discounted Access
to Three Popular Attractions: City Cruises San Diego, San Diego Zoo and Old Town Trolley Tour.
07.27.21
City Cruises Chicago
Hosts July 27th Job Fair Offering Free Cruise Vouchers for Applicants.
Come aboard the signature Odyssey vessel and learn more about unique
employment opportunities ranging from food and beverage service to marine operations and get a
free cruise for two with your interview!
06.30.21
Statue City Cruises
Welcomes French Statue of Liberty Replica to Ellis Island
Extended Operating Hours Begin as Pedestal of Statue of Liberty Reopens July
1st.
06.25.21
City Cruises in Canada
to Hit the Water July 1
Cruise attractions in Niagara Falls, Toronto and Gananoque to set sail under
new banner.
06.01.21
Official Chicago
Waterfront Experience' Launches
Three Celebrated Chicago Institutions Come Together for the First Time to
Create the Official Chicago Waterfront Experience Combination Ticket Package.
05.25.21
Statue City Cruises
Announces Additional Service and Reopening of Liberty State Park on Memorial Day
Weekend
Visitors can enjoy increased capacity on board vessels, iconic museums,
spectacular views and more this summer.
04.27.21
The âOfficial San
Diego Waterfront Experienceâ Ticket Package Now Available
This Exclusive Ticket Package, Powered by Anchorâ˘,Allows Discounted Access to
Three Waterfront Attractions:City Cruises in San Diego, USS Midway Museum and Old Town Trolley
Tours.
04.26.21
Celebrate Mother's Day
on the water with a premier brunch cruise aboard City Cruises
Book an unforgettable experience atop a City Cruises vessel this year,
featuring signature
cocktails, specialty food offerings, and spectacular city views.
04.08.21
City Experiences
Acquires Walks
City Experiences announced today it has closed on the acquisition of leading
global tours and experiences provider, Walks.
04.06.21
Hornblower Group
Announces Rebranded Portfolio of Offerings to 'City Experiences'
Hornblower Group, a global leader in world-class
experiences and transportation, announced today the launch of City Experiences
03.26.21
April Film Selections
Announced for San Diego Floating Outdoor Cinema
Dinner and a Movie on the Bay: The Sequelâ continues with open-air screenings
aboard the Inspiration vesselâs rooftop deck featuring...
03.15.21
Washington D.C.
Cruising Operations to Resume
Beginning March 19, guests will be welcomed back aboard for one-of-a-kind
experience offerings this cherry blossom season
03.09.21
Alcatraz Cruises
Announces Restart of Alcatraz Touring Operations
Beginning March 15, Alcatraz Cruises welcomes back guests with tours of the
famed San Francisco landmark. Alcatraz Cellhouse to reopen for the first time in more than...
03.08.21
Hornblower Cruises and
Events Names Tara Hippensteel National Director of Tourism
Hippensteel joins the company with more than 20 years of experience in both
the domestic and international travel trade industry.
03.04.21
Floating Outdoor
Cinema Experience Returns in 2021
The open-air screening series returns by popular demand aboard the
Inspirationâs rooftop deck featuring Hollywood blockbusters with signature dining and cruising
experience offerings