Newport Beach Dinner Cruise by Hornblower in Newport Beach, CA

Where are you located?

In Newport Beach, they are located at 2431 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663.

Are there any age restrictions on your cruises?

There are no age restrictions for most of our cruises. All minors require adult supervision. Please call with questions about any of the special event cruises, as minors are not restricted, but the cruise may not be appropriate for all age groups.

Do you offer any children discounts?

Children under 4 are complimentary.

What is the dress attire for the dinner cruise?

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. 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.

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 them keep the harbors clean.

Is there pre-assigned seating for dinner cruises?

As you board, the 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 the 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.

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 the reservations agents for more details about the planned entertainment for your specific cruise via the number on your e ticket.

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. If you have a group with many vegetarians or if you have vegans or have other dietary restrictions, please notify them via the number located on your e ticket after booking. They can accommodate most other special dietary needs with advance notice.

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 the 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.

For dinner cruises, when does the meal begin?

Dinner service begins immediately upon embarking.

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 the cruises have multiple entrée options and they have a menu that you will chose from onboard.

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.

What decor does Hornblower provide?

All Hornblower yachts are decorated with linens, votive centerpieces, silver, and china.

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

Their vessels are all subject to inspections by the U.S. Coast Guards and the 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 the vessels to insure 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.

Are life preservers on board?

Each vessel is 100% Coast Guard certified with life preservers and all required lifesaving equipment, including child life vests.

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 eticket to ensure handicap accessibility for the date you are planning to cruise.

Will I get seasick?

The vast majority of the 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. For these cruises, 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.

Does Hornblower validate parking?

They do not validate for parking.

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.

If one or more people in my party are not able to make it or we miss the cruise departure time will we receive a refund?

No. Once payment is received cruises are non-refundable. With a 48-hour or better notice they will be happy to reschedule your cruise date or issue a gift certificate for the amount paid. Cruises are non- refundable and non-transferable within 48 hours of your cruise. They do not compensate for no-shows or late arrivals.