It’s summertime, and if you’re craving a light breeze in your hair and the sun on your face as you cruise through the water, then you’re in luck, as Hornblower is back in operation.
The boating company, best known for running the Potomac Water Taxi and DC Odyssey dinner cruises, which have routes in DC, Alexandria and Maryland, resumed its operations across the metro area on June 19.
The Potomac Water Taxi services are now offering a daily schedule of boat rides connecting Alexandria, The Wharf in DC and the National Harbor in Maryland. Sightseeing tours will be reintroduced in July, alongside a fourth water taxi route between The Wharf and Georgetown.
To prepare for riders’ safety, the company has expanded its SafeCruise by Hornblower program, adapting the onboard experience to include social distancing, reduced capacity and elevated health and hygiene standards.
Other steps the company is taking include mandatory, daily health screenings for all crew members, the crew must wear appropriate personal protective equipment at all times, touchless entry onto the boats and guests are required to wear face masks at all times except for when drinking or eating.
And, now that DC has moved into phase two of its reopening plan, Hornblower will also resume select dining cruises on the Odyssey III. A choice of signature Odyssey Dinner cruises will operate Fridays and Saturdays, as will the weekend Odyssey Brunch experience.
Usual elements of the dinner cruises, like live entertainment, dancing and a walk-up bar service, will not be permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions, but a DJ will be playing music for guests to enjoy. And, starting Sunday, July 12, a new Sunday Prix Fixe Dinner cruise will become available.
For more information, visit hornblower.com.
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