CITY CRUISES @ HARBOR BAY Parking is available on the side and costs about $2.50 per hour, but it's free after 8 PM. Since I booked the nighttime dinner cruise, I only paid around $5 for parking, which was super reasonable. Getting into City Cruises San Diego was really easy the check-in process was smooth, they just took our names, and we were good to go. My boyfriend and I went on the two-hour dinner cruise, and it was such a fun experience. The ticket is around $150, but honestly, it felt worth it. Just being out on the water at night made it special. The service was great, and the staff was super friendly the entire time. The food was actually surprisingly good. They had a wide variety of options--from salads to entrées and appetizers and everything was well done. Plus, there were unlimited desserts, including fruits, cakes, and more. They even greeted us with champagne, which was a nice touch. There was also a DJ onboard, which made the vibe even more fun. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this as an activity if you're in San Diego. It's easy, fun, and something a little different. Also, they often have discounts online, so you can probably get a better deal. Overall, such a great experience, we had an amazing time. read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

This was a great city cruise tour not only did they have a great price but they offered snacks and drinks while on your tour which is nice . It was a good amount of people not crowded at all there was seats available. The gentleman giving us the tour showed us so many cool sites and history . This is a must if you're in town and want to enjoy the views and have a nice view of San Diego :) read more

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Service, air conditioning, DJ. From the moment we arrived, we were seated at the aft where it was sweltering heat, and service was almost non-existant. read more

City Cruises - My husband and I outside on the boat - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We went on the dinner cruise on a Tuesday evening. We enjoyed everything about it. I was skeptical about it being a buffet, but the buffet was absolutely wonderful. It is an expensive date for the 2 of us, more than $300 include 4 drinks, but the taxes and fee, and fuel charge was $90 alone. It was worth it. I've done these before in Portland, etc. This one was very nice. It's a one and done for us. read more

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I went on city cruises for a brunch for an event and let me tell you the food did not disappoint. I would put it up against any other Sunday brunch in town then the bonus is you get to tour around the bay stand up on the deck, take pictures of Coronado, but I'm telling you don't sleep on the food and everyone there read more

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Thanksgiving Brunch Cruise Highly Recommend! If you're looking for an stress-free, unique and memorable way to spend Thanksgiving, this is the place. We had family in town and I was definitely not in the mood to cook this year so we booked City Cruises and it ended up being the perfect choice. We chose the 11 AM sailing (my in-laws like to eat early) but they also offer a later afternoon option. The moment we boarded, everything felt organized, festive and relaxed. The food spread was immaculate. It was a true buffet-style feast with Thanksgiving classics plus breakfast favorites. They also offered bottomless mimosas and champagne, although our group didn't drink. We talked to a few regulars who said they come every Thanksgiving and swear this is the best option in San Diego which made us feel even better about choosing it. We upgraded our tickets (each around $85 each) to sit by a window and I highly recommend doing the same. The cruise takes you past Point Loma and through beautiful parts of the bay and having that view made the whole experience extra special. You're free to get seconds, thirds or wander around the boat to take in the scenery. Before boarding, they take a group photo, which ended up being a cute keepsake from the day. They charge for the photo but I can't recall the price. Small touches like that made the experience feel really thoughtful. The staff was genuinely kind, upbeat and accommodating. You could tell they were happy to be there, even on a holiday. One tip for future guests: Make sure to leave gratuity for your servers. It's easy to assume that tips are included but they aren't and the staff truly deserves it for how hard they work on such a busy day. This was my first City Cruises experience, but definitely not my last. After hearing from other friends who also love these cruises, we'll absolutely be back! read more

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I took my mom and her friends on a City Cruises brunch cruise, and it was a fantastic experience. The all-you-can-drink brunch was delicious, the service was great, and the views of the San Diego Bay were beautiful. Everyone had an amazing time--highly recommend for a fun and memorable outing! read more

City Cruises - The lovely ladies enjoying their drinks and the view! - American Near Me - San Diego, California

My group and I had a phenomenal experience with a private post wedding party event with this company. The dinner cruise we booked was superb all around. Excellent and friendly service, tasty food, and great ambiance. The views in the harbor at night are beautiful and it's the perfect backdrop for any occassion. We all loved this experience so much we are talking about chipping in as a family and booking these kind of events annually :) read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Very disappointing cruise. We did the Sunset Premium Dinner cruise for our 50th wedding anniversary. We called ahead and notified them we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary and was told that they would let the ship and crew know of our celebration. We were given the first table as you entered the dinning room. One of us had a view of the sites the others view was obstructed by a bar, plus everyone coming in stood around us. Not a good site for our 50th wedding anniversary. We were not on the list of people celebrating special occasions. We added our names and our song as requested by the DJ. Our only acknowledgment was a 5 second names and anniversary. Not how we would have expected for a monumental occasion. Our song was never played. We hopped to dance also, but the music catered to the 30's crowd, not the make up of the age of cruises. The sites we passed were never announced and from the map provided we never went close to them. The food was good and the highlight of the cruise was our server Michele. It was not what was advertised and our special day/ night was a not worthwhile for a special 50th wedding anniversary. read more

A Fantastic Experience on City Cruises San Diego. My time aboard City Cruises San Diego was absolutely lovely the atmosphere was vibrant, and the service was exceptional. A special shout-out to Ms. Christina, whose outstanding hospitality made the experience even more memorable. If you're looking for a unique way to dine and cruise, I highly recommend it. It's perfect for celebrating with your significant other or spouse, and an incredible choice for anniversaries, engagements, and birthday celebrations. A must-try! Until next time read more

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I joined in on a Brunch retirement for my old boss and wow what an experience. Bottomless mimosa brunch on a city cruise was so much fun. The food was very tasty and as soon as you step foot in the yacht you were welcomed with a glass of champagne. Once seated at your table there is juice ready to mix into your champagne if you choose to (pineapple, orange and cranberry available). The staff were very friendly and it was nice to go to the upper deck and enjoy the view. There is plenty of loungers and games to play so it's perfect if you have to bring kids. I highly recommend this experience, it won't disappoint:) read more

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It was amazing. Had all you can eat buffet with the unlimited Mimosas. Everything was perfect. And the view from the boat in the middle of the bay is something you can only dream of. I wish this on everyone to give it a try. It is worth every penny. The customer service there was amazing as well. They never let my glass hit the bottom. They had our champagne and our juice always available. read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We went whale watching on Valentine's Day. The whole process from ordering tickets, to checking in and getting aboard was smooth. The ticket booth staff were helpful. The photographer at the top of the landing was funny and personable. San Diego always shows up, even if the whales don't. I appreciated the Captains honesty when we boarded that, we may have to return early due to weather. We got out of the bay, and it was gorgeous!! There were some waves, and the staff was very safety minded. They reminded everyone to now bow-jump, keep at least one hand on the boat. We ordered some snacks, which was very easy with the QR code. They know their customers well. We got a pretzel and a hot cocoa, cuz it was sunny but cold. They were both ad expected very good. The narration was perfect. A mix of history and current events and tin bits about San Diego and its wildlife. We saw dolphins, sea lions and a slew of different birds, and some cool military installations. No whales this cruise, but that's ok, if you don't see a whale, you get a whale-check. The seas were a bit rough (I guess) the day we went out. Some pro tips, look at the horizon and not the water. Also later up, the wind can be fierce, use sunscreen and stay hydrated. We have a fabulous time and can't wait to sail again!!! read more

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We have been on this brunch cruise before when they were still operating the larger boat, and our previous experience was excellent. Unfortunately, due to new EPA regulations, that beautiful ship is no longer in service. When we visited last year, the atmosphere was spacious and enjoyable, and the food selection was extensive and absolutely delicious. Today's experience was completely different. The company is now using a much smaller boat, which made the entire cruise feel overcrowded and uncomfortable. The top deck was extremely limited in space, and guests were packed in very tightly. The food was also very disappointing compared to our previous visit. The selection was minimal, and the quality did not meet expectations for the price point. For nearly $150 per person, we expected a much better overall experience. Sadly, this visit did not live up to what we remembered, and we regret returning. We will not be booking this cruise again. read more

Our ever growing practice held a holiday dinner cruise last December for our clinicians and affiliates and it was fantabulousThe Hornblower was spacious and elegant, super friendly and attentive staff, and the buffet was outstanding (oooh and the phenomenal DJ and the bar tender) ~ can't sing enough praises about the fun and exciting experience we all enjoyed. I think they offer lunch/dinner cruises year round read more

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Our family has been their customer since 1998. We have always enjoyed their cruises. We have taken Valentine's, Mother's Day, Sunset Cocktail, etc. Service is always exceptional and friendly. We have noticed the quality of the food has declined terribly and the vessels have not been updated since we took our first cruise with them. The interior was a bit depressing. They need to revamp their menu, especially their brunch. It is NOT restaurant quality. A little more effort needs to go into it. Presentation as well. The 2 cruises we have taken this year have been quite empty, I wonder if it has to do with the food. They also don't have alive entertainer like they used to. I do have to say the service today was above and beyond. Our server was Salvador, he made up for the stiff croissant and bagel and the dry Salmon and chicken with his friendly and attentive service. We might wait until you improve the quality of your "experience" before considering doing it again. Thank you. read more

City Cruises - The ship - American Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been on several of these dinner cruises but this one the worst. The staff that checks you in seem racist. Then it was time for dinner we ordered early we had the most expensive window table by the time we got our food it was COLD and was horrible we paid 140.00 a ticket to be fed Cold food. The worst mother's day ever. I asked for a manager they have yet show up. I am diabetic and this experience made me ill. My mother who is 89 years old could not eat either. The boat was ok but what I we t for was dinner and that was not good at all. The picture lady sold us a picture she gave people around us a bag and for some reason we didn't get one. Something felt racial all over the place.i will never e er go on another one. I left hungry and upset.table 1701 read more

This year for Valentines Day I had the joy to experience my very first themed dinner cruise. Thank you to my wonderful boyfriend and City Cruises for making this experience one to remember! Upon arriving at the dock we were promptly checked in and provided complimentary hot chocolate on this chilly San Diego night. The valentines day decorations were super adorable and set the tone for the rest of the evening. From entering the boarding gate until getting seated at our table, we were greeted with a smile by every single employee we passed. We were then offered complimentary Champagne upon entering the dining room. The cruise started at 7 PM and didn't end until 9:30-10 PM. Giving us plenty of time to eat, chat, and explore the boat and take in the beautiful night skyline of downtown San Diego. Although it was freezing it was still nice to wander. The meal itself was a 3 course meal. We each got to choose from a selection of appetizers, main course meals, and desserts. The food itself was ok. The presentation was great but it wasn't anything spectacular. I was worried if the 3 course meal would be enough to fill me up but I'm glad to say it was the perfect amount. We were pretty full halfway through our dessert. They also had an additional menu provided at the table in case you wanted to order more side dishes or drinks. I want to note that even though this was a pre-paid package the servers kindly let us know at the beginning of the service that Gratuity was not included in the package so if we would like to leave it they would greatly appreciate it. My boyfriend didn't know so we kind of wished we brought cash beforehand but thankfully we ordered drinks so he was able to add a tip on his card at the end. Overall, it such a thoughtful and cute date idea. The food isn't amazing by any means but you're really paying for the experience. I loved the little touches they added such as the rose on the table, DJ playing love songs, rose petals on the ground, and valentines day ballon decoration photo station. City Cruises seems to offer a variety of cruise packages, so whether you're celebrating a birthday, holiday, or anniversary for a loved one it'll definitely be an experience to remember. read more

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Such an amazing, narrated tour cruise of beautiful San Diego. We booked their 'Sightseeing Cruise' and paid about $92 overall total for 2 of us (they also offer brunch & dinner cruises). We got there about 1 hr early and struggled to find parking on a busy Sunday afternoon. Once we got to the meeting spot, we noticed there was a parking lot right on Hornblower Pier (which is next to the meeting spot). We walked over to ask, and their rate was $15 (cash only) to park. As we were boarding, a souvenir picture was taken and was later available for purchase. All crew members were super friendly and attentive. You can purchase snacks and alcohol beverages at the bar, which was awesome! Plenty of restrooms and very clean. Overall, we had such an amazing experience and can't wait to go back and enjoy their dinner cruise. read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Groupons are often available for this! Amazing tour of the San Diego bay. I opted for the two hour tour and wasn't disappointed. Multiple times slots to choose from. For the first hour, they go to either the north or south side of the bay, then they return dock for 15 minutes and continue with the second half. Drinks are a little pricy but they hit the spot on a warm day. Crew is fantastic. Highly recommend. read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I went on one of these a few weeks ago with my tiki lady group. It's a nice narrated tour of the harbor, Point Loma and 32nd street shipyard Navy boats. I worked in the Navy for 17 years and I was excited to see some of my old boats there. They serve cocktails, cheese plates, pretzels and cheese. Very simple. The cruise is only 90 minutes so you don't need much. The tickets are reasonably priced. read more

Came out for a celebratory birthday dinner while in town for a conference. They stop selling tickets for same-day cruises around noon it seems. But the customer service team was amazing. They helped us combine our tickets into a single table, and surprised us by allowing two team members buy tickets after the noon cut-off and added them to our table as well. After taxes and fees it came out to around $105 a person. On-board, wait staff were super friendly and accommodating, and 10 out of 10 all around for service. Food on board was uneventful. We had salmon options, pasta, tri-tip, and a bevy of salads. All of it tasted mass produced, but not bad, just don't expect anything gourmet or particularly high quality. The tri-tip was particularly bad though, it was way over-cooked and chewy. The dessert spread was pretty good though. Outside of that, the 2.5 hr trip seemed the perfect amount of time to enjoy dinner, drinks, and the view. The weather at night was pretty chilly, but not terrible with a light jacket. A few passengers brought blankets which was the way to go if you really want to get cozy. The only knock on the place was that it seemed a little worn/tired. The DJ wasn't particularly exciting and most of the music was the very PG stuff you play at the beginning of the wedding like "Sweet Caroline" and more classic crowd pleasures. Almost everyone on the ship was either doing a birthday or anniversary, and overall just a very quiet evening, which may appeal to some more than others. We did enjoy our time and if you come in with the right expectations so will you. read more

This cruise was everything!! The staff was extremely professional and the food was out of this world. I'm still dreaming about the chocolate cake and I don't even like chocolate. The DJ was super nice and accommodated everyone's taste in music. When in San Diego, you must book this cruise. It was worth every penny! read more

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The perfect cruise and a fantastic moderator. Captain Luis was fantastic!! Great drinks brought straight to your table. So much information!! read more

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Nice 90 min round trip to see the city on the sea. Parking is hard to find at the closer midway museum parking lot after 10am even on a weekday morning. Staff were friendly and had a very thorough introduction of what we were seeing on the sea. Was nice to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on the deck when the wind was strong. Recommended for families, couples or groups. read more

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The BEST dinner cruise in San Diego Took a pre graduation dinner cruise every thing was fantastic the service the food the drinks outstanding!! read more

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We went on the dinner cruise last Saturday night and had a blast! Everyone was so friendly. We even got to meet the Captain - probably because we were peppering all of the staff with so many questions on the boat and the scenery!! The food was pretty good for a large group like that who eats all at once. The lights of downtown were magical and going under the Coronado Bridge was a real treat. Special shout out to Crystal. Mary. and Justin. They were great. read more

What a fantastic experience! We came here for a work event dinner cruise and had a fantastic time on the boat. The cruise itself lasted about 2.5 hours and they drive you to a marina area where the water is calmer before they serve dinner. We were seated at 3 round tables but managed to move the tables closer together in order to talk to everyone. For dinner I got the seafood chowder to start, salmon for the entree and finished with cheesecake. Food was pretty average with the chowder being the highlight as it had a good amount of clam and more of a Manhattan chowder than a super creamy New England chowder Really the views were the highlight of the cruise and we set off at 7pm which gave us a perfect time to see the sunset as well as the city nights once the sun set. read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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My boyfriend and I went on the hornblower dinner cruise to celebrate my birthday and had a wonderful time. All of the staff was wonderful and the views were great. The dinner was delicious as well! Variety of options. I enjoyed having a drink brought quickly to the table as well. We were able to walk around the whole ship and go out on the top deck to enjoy. I liked that the DJ announced when food was being served so if you were outside you were able to go back inside to have your food. Wonderful experience! read more

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Great experience with City Cruise for the first time. We booked a brunch cruise on New Year's Eve. Was a little afraid of the rain and wind the night before, but it was fine on the cruise, probably because it's the bay. We arrived about 30 minutes before boarding and were able to find a spot right out front (metered parking - 3 hours max). Upon walking up to the boat, we had our picture taken which you could purchase later (digital download or physical copy containing several sizes). Our table was right next to the buffet which made it very convenient to make a trip for seconds. The food was great considering it was all prepared on the cruise. The menu changes by season, great selection of land and sea to enjoy while cruising. Don't forget the bottomless mimosas, the server will make sure your glass is always full. Attentive service along the trip, we went out of the cabin to see the view the server still came around to top off our glasses. The cruise was also surprisingly smooth and not once did I lose my balance, nor did anyone else (even with bottomless mimosas). Awesome experience overall, definitely recommend booking for any special occasion or just to enjoy San Diego Bay. Cheers! read more

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Whale Watching Cruise Review! I've lived here for years and never said to myself "I should go on one of those cruises" but there I was, in line with my tourist mother, having bought some tickets to sightsee whale tails at 9:30 on a week day. I made sure to read the FAQ- dress in layers for warmth (though for me that meant sun protection as my Casper-looking ass burns instantly), wear sunglasses so the light bouncing off the water into my delicate little eyes wasn't blinding, and of course- Dramamine for all the motion of the ocean. After getting a souvenir pic taken of mom & me with my freshly showered hair looking unprepared, we boarded and everyone else immediately went up to the top deck. I had no clue where is the best area to sit, but I found a nice shaded table on the back deck that served me well. The thing about whales is they are, well, they're big but they go below the surface and the ocean is giant. You might see them up close, you might see them from far off, and maybe you won't see any at all. Sit where you're comfy, you're in for a long trip. To add to your comfort there are restrooms, drinks and food can be ordered from your table and delivered to you (I recommend doing that before you get too far out in the ocean and lose cell service), and there are plenty of sick bags if you mistakenly believed you "didn't need" Dramamine. In case you'd like to know a bit more about whales and their migration- look for the folks in the yellow jackets, though they may just introduce themselves to you first. Those are volunteers from the Natural History Museum who join every City Cruises boat to educate and answer any questions you have. They come equipped with pictures, charts, and info aplenty! It was a beautiful day for taking in the sights of the bay from the ships to Cabrillo, you'll see it all if you keep your head on a swivel or are comfortable walking around the deck to see both sides. Keep your eye on the little channel markers while in the bay. The sea lions LOVE them and you'll often see groups of them sleeping. Then you'll be out in the ocean, smooth or bumpy is a mystery, where you'll see...well, again, a mystery. To kind of get a rough idea of what you MIGHT see, their website has a log that tracks what they saw on which cruises. We lucked out in that we saw a whale, several times, but then we came across dolphins, a lot of dolphins actually. First we came across a big pod, hundreds of them jumping around and playing in the boat's wake, before we headed off after a report from another boat of an even bigger pod- a mega pod. Thousands of dolphins! Between the dolphins, the mostly smooth ocean, and the bag of Funyuns I had squirreled away in my bag for primo snacking- we had a great trip. I recommend the trip to anybody who is looking for something to do, like a lazy exploration to see nature and sights vs. hiking, locals and tourists alike. Concerned about the price? You should check out Groupon if you're looking for a very good discount. That's actually why I booked another cruise not even a month after my first. I was hoping to recreate the magical trip with my partner. But womp womp, very little magic and very much boat rocking didn't make for an excellent trip for him. We still saw plenty of dolphins, sea lions, and even a ocean sunfish/mola mola! Those are truly strange looking fish. Unfortunately the lone small whale sighting was like a half sighting. Given that, the captain had his team issue return vouchers to everyone as we exited. Customer satisfaction and all that. Now given that a fair few of the visitors are tourists, I think City Cruises still come out ahead and nobody was grumbling about a bad trip- people love dolphins! But for me, a local- oh I'll be using my free ticket. Even if I don't see a whale, that's cool. I still enjoy the sights, the cool salty breeze, and time being sea-chauffeured around eating my favorite crispy snack- that's right, more Funyuns. Going to be a good time! read more

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The two hour harbor cruise was a delightful way to spend the morning. We walked from our hotel so no need to find parking. The wait to board was very short and there was plenty of room on the boat. They do have you stop for a boarding photo but there was really no pressure to buy the picture as you debarked. Staff was polite and helpful and the narrator was informative and interesting. He was able to adapt his talk with what was currently going on in the harbor. The only drawback was the sound system. As long as you were inside it was ok but if you were outside the speakers were insufficient.y loud enough to hear over the engine noise. If you do the two hour cruise, you go north for an half hour and then back to the pier for 15 minutes and then you go south for an half hour and then back to the pier. read more

Absolutely amazing dinner cruise!! The views were breathtaking, the service was exceptional, the boat was beautiful! I loved every moment. It was such a special birthday! Highly recommended for locals, families, couples, solos, visitors! read more

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City Cruises is a scam. Book with Flagship instead. City cruises say they participate in the Go City "90 minute best of the bay" but there is never any availability. They keep telling you they are booked to come back the next day...and when you come back, they tell you the same thing. SCAM! Avoid! read more

Pro's: Service, free champagne upon entry, being on a boat in the SD harbor Cons: Food was okay. If you're a foodie, you will be disappointed. Seems fancy, but tastes microwaved. Dessert was super rich. And if you're young, you will be disappointed with the DJ. Not that the DJ was bad, probably just catering to their main audience. Overall, we had a nice experience with our family and our nieces loved being on the dance floor. Very kid friendly boat. It was just way too expensive for what it was. And the drinks were super expensive and not included in your ticket. And the tip too... ended up being about $300 per person when all was said and done. Not worth it. Wish we found a more cost-effective way to spend time with our family while we were in town. read more

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Wife and I went on the city cruise sights cocktail yacht tour. We saw seals and the aircraft carriers. They had snacks waiting for us when we walked on. The bartender sean was nice and also the manager thomas read more

City Cruises - American Near Me - San Diego, California

It was a nice boat ride, not crowded at all due to it being a weekday. The boat ride went under Coronado bridge and then back around the bay. Some negatives were the old captain was unfriendly and unwelcoming, apparently only selectively greeting white people. Narration was not very informative, mostly sounded like sponsored ads of hotels and restaurants. Bathrooms were dirty and smelled like urine. I think it's overpriced. read more

I booked a surprise dinner cruise for my daughter and her boyfriend from England and we are all impressed with the food, service and ambiance. The food was so delicious, the DJ was very entertaining and the service was awesome and made our experience memorable. read more

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We only came on this cruise as a part of our CityPass. We took the one-hour tour of the harbor. It was nice enough, but nothing special. That said, a couple of pain points. First, the staff never came to take our order. We literally had to track down a waiter so we could order, and again, when it was time to pay. Second, I could've done without all the commercials from the tour guide. "Best place to eat on the water!" "My personal favorite is..." "If you're looking for XYZ, go here." Believability: 0% read more

Just took the noon boat tour of the beautiful San Diego bay. Was on the hornblower ship. Helpful crew, very clean ship, lovely bathrooms! They serve drinks that they bring to you! Great narrated tour with lots of information! We saw landmarks, seals, dolphins, war ships, airplanes Something for everyone!! Highly recommend read more