Photo courtesy of Hornblower Niagara Cruises Facebook page

Hornblower Niagara Cruises, now celebrating its third year operating iconic boat tours at Niagara Falls, officially opened for the season effective April 1, 2016.

“We’re ecstatic to announce the opening of our third year of operations in Niagara Falls,” said Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower. “We had a fantastic first two years with tremendous community and industry support. We look forward to another successful year in Niagara.”

With tour departures scheduled from April 1 through Nov. 30, this could be the longest-ever season for a boat tour operator at Niagara Falls. If all goes as planned, and Hornblower secures approval from the Niagara Parks Commission, the company may even operate cruises until the end of the year. In either case, Hornblower anticipates the year will be a busy one, especially with American visitors taking advantage of favourable currency exchange rates, lower gasoline prices and strong economic growth in the United States.

The company has been operating at Niagara Falls since 2014, after it was awarded a 30-year contract by the Niagara Parks Commission to serve as its official boat tour operator. Hornblower is the only company permitted to operate boat tours to the Bridal Veil, American and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the Niagara River.

During its inaugural year, Hornblower introduced a number of firsts, including the first-ever Falls Illumination Cruises and Falls Fireworks Cruises on the Niagara River. With a stronger-than-anticipated demand, the company added five weeks to its operations schedule that year.

In 2015, Hornblower introduced new land-based events, including wedding receptions, corporate retreats and private parties, with Niagara Falls as a backdrop at the company’s Lower Landing Visitor Pavilion and private event tent. Hornblower also operates private charters on the Niagara Guardian—a 150-passenger, open-air jet boat that runs to the base of the Horseshoe Falls.

Last year, Hornblower served more than 1.8 million passengers, exceeding its sales goals for the second consecutive year.

Serving some of North America’s most iconic destinations, Hornblower also operates the official tour boats to the Statue of Liberty in New York City and to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco.

For more information on Hornblower Niagara Cruises, visit www.niagaracruises.com.

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