Sail into the Sunset on San Diego Hornblower Cruises

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Paul Allen paid over $200 million for Octopus, Larry Ellison's Rising Sun cost about $250 million, and Andrey Melnichenko paid roughly $300 million for his sailing toy.

But for under $100, you can enjoy a cruise of your own: a little dinner, a little dancing, and a little yachting, all right here in San Diego, thanks to Hornblower Cruises and Events.

There are some activities that seem so quintessentially San Diegan that it's easy to take them for granted or write them off as tourist events: kayaking at La Jolla Shores, balloon rides in Del Mar, and harbor cruises aboard the Hornblower. But why not allow yourself to fall for the natural beauty of San Diego all over again? Sure a sail around San Diego's harbor for a glimpse of seals may not make a native's knees weak, but that's no reason to resist the romance of fine dining on the ocean.

The Hornblower has been cruising in San Diego waters since 1986, allowing travelers not accustomed to living near water the chance to indulge in a floating tour of the City's skyline and marine life. Sea lions and dolphins - chances are you'll spot them all on a one or two-hour trip around the harbor. Those looking to add a little turf with their surf can purchase a package that combines their seafaring experience with admission to either Balboa Park's San Diego Natural History Museum or the nearby USS Midway.

Anyone lucky enough to be visiting San Diego during the months of December through March can book a seat on one of the Hornblower's three-and-a-half hour Whale Watching excursions. Out-of-towners can take advantage of the San Diego W Hotel's Whale Watching packages and stay in luxury accommodations close to the harbor. Tourists must be ready to book early and share the experience however - San Diegans are just as taken with whale watching as everyone else, and winter will find locals bundled up and sailing the water in order to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.

In-the-know San Diegans drop by the Hornblower for more than just whale watching season however, they take advantage of the dining, the dancing, and the special event festivities as well. The Hornblower takes the best parts of vacation cruising and subtracts the awful shuffleboard and tiny sleeping cabins. Come aboard dressed to impress your date, and the crew will take care of the rest. A three-course meal (including veggie-friendly options!) is followed by a twirl around the dance floor. And if that isn't romantic enough for you, check out one of the Hornblower's Full Moon Dinner Cruises, where your glass of champagne will reflect the light of the moon and that glimmer in your date's eye.

A trip out to sea doesn't have to rely on the excuse of a budding or long-term romance however, treat yourself to some real luxury by celebrating the Festival of Sail safely aboard the Hornblower and away from the crush of landlocked spectators. Or watch the fireworks with your shipmates from the comfort of the Hornblower's deck, glass of wine in hand. If you missed indulging in the Father's Day Beer Brunch Cruise (with or without dad, it was a morning of unlimited beer!) you can still book Thanksgiving dinner with them and save yourself the hassle of cooking, cleaning, or entertaining beyond your normally sparkling conversation.

Of course, sometimes one pines for a real taste of luxury. While the Hornblower's dinner cruises offer a chance to dine with the moon reflecting off of the water, there's still the matter of being surrounded by strangers who have also paid for a sophisticated night out, rather than the solitude you crave with your nearest and dearest. Pas de probleme mon ami, simply don your jaunty sailor cap and light your cigar because Hornblower will rent you a yacht for your occasion, help you plan every detail, and work to make sure that your event goes off without a hitch.

Like buying a share of a private plane, your own private yacht can be rented starting at just $725/hour, and the staff at Hornblower will work to meet your catering, drinking, and entertainment desires. They will also shelter you from the realities of owning your own boat and having to contend with fuel prices and employee salaries - at the end of your evening you get to hand back the reins without ever worrying about the annual costs some billionaires pay to maintain their boats.

Whether you're chartering a boat or enjoying a dinner cruise, the Hornblower staff will ensure that you have an evening of fun without any worry. Now that's pure luxury.

Discover the San Diego Hornblower Cruises at Hornblower.com. And find more San Diego hotels and San Diego attractions here.