The Sacramento River and Old Sacramento represent what are the best and most well known qualities of the Sacramento Region.  What better way to treat your guests to a truly Sacramento experience than an event on the Empress Hornblower.  You board the Hornblower from Old Sacramento’s Front Street near the brick parking structure. Parking is an easy walk for your guests and overnight accommodations can be made at the Embassy Suites, also within easy walking distance.   The vessel is a stately image reminiscent of the paddlewheel riverboats that once graced the Sacramento River at the turn of the century.   All four Vixens arrived for a Sunday Brunch Cruise on a beautiful sunny spring day.  We toured the three deck yacht from top to bottom and stem to stern.  We even posed with the Captain (distinguished gentleman… who does perform the wedding ceremonies on board).  The top level is open and exposed to the sunshine, or the  evening moonlight.  It is great for a ceremony of about 80-100 people.  It is suggested that the ceremony start before the Hornblower embarks.  I think that is wise because it would give any late comers a chance to make the journey if they were running late rather than missing the boat all-together (no pun intended).   It is also better for pictures without hair, hats or toupees blowing about!!

The Main (first level) deck has a dining maximum of 160 people.  It is equipped with a small dance floor and a raised platform for entertainment and built in polished wood bar. The Upper deck has the same options as Main deck, but on a smaller scale.  The dining maximum is 120 people.  For comfort I would recommend less than the maximum numbers.  After the full tour we settled in for the brunch.   Hungry, we strolled down the nicely displayed brunch selections and came back to our properly set table with crisp white linens.  Each of our four plates had a unique variety of tantalizing fare.  The most notable surprise of our experience was that the food was absolutely amazing.  We were hoping for good but instead we got great! If you reserve the entire boat you may be able to have split level dining for 200. Or have dining on the Main Deck and progress to the Upper Deck for cake and dancing.

If it is a meeting you are planning then you may all gather up top and split in two groups.   You may reserve just one level for a private meeting or incentive trip for your staff and have the rest of the boat open to the public to keep your costs down. The variations of what you can do on board are endless.  If it is a one-stop-shop /  floating party you want, or a fun, but easy to plan company outing you desire, this is the place for you.  The cruise is scenic, with lots of nature, allowing for views of the city skyline and the confluence of the American and Sacramento River which is beautiful.  On the return trip down river  we passed under the landmark Tower Bridge where the drawbridge portion raises up to allow the large boat to pass – quite a sight!   The staff is friendly, efficient and knowledgeable.  The entire experience was excellent!

Thanks to Visiting Vixen Beth of True Love Photo for joining on this excursion and taking great photos.  We also borrowed some great shots from Thais with Love at First Click Photography.

~ Vixen Laurie