SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatraz Cruises is pleased to announce the launch of its call center for telephone reservations, following a July launch of its website with online reservations. Individuals interested in booking trips to visit Alcatraz departing on or after September 25, 2006 can purchase their tickets today by either calling the reservation hotline at 415-981-ROCK (981-7625), or by visiting http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ .

The National Park Service selected Alcatraz Cruises, a business unit of Hornblower Cruises, as the official concessionaire for water transportation to Alcatraz Island a year ago. Since then, the two organizations have been working together to make the transition as seamless as possible. The launch of telephone and website sales is the first phase of the transition of operations. Ferry service is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 25th.

"We started with a soft launch of ticket sales," said Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises. "This helped us gather feedback from travelers abroad on their online and phone experience, allowing us to refine our methods. We're now confident that we're ready to service our guests with greater satisfaction.

"We're excited to be working with the National Park Service to bring visitors to the island. We believe passengers are going to notice our dedication to providing an exceptional customer experience," said MacRae.

Alcatraz Cruises, LLC is the authorized Concessionaire of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior for service to Alcatraz Island. For more information, call 415-981-ROCK or visit http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ . Alcatraz Cruises, LLC is affiliated with Hornblower Cruises & Events. Hornblower Cruises & Events is the nation's most diverse yacht charter and dining cruise company, operating 32 distinctive yachts, successfully serving guests in ports across California for the last 26 years. Its vessels and facilities accommodate groups of 2 to 2,200 for corporate meetings, weddings and other special events. The yachts also host individual dinner dance, lunch, brunch and harbor cruises. For more information, call 1-800-ON-THE-BAY or visit http://www.hornblower.com/ .

CONTACT: Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises & Events,
+1-415-983-8241, or tmacrae@hornblower.com

Web site: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
http://www.hornblower.com/