Picture this: sailing through sparkling waters, surrounded by iconic city skylines, while rubbing elbows with your favorite musicians, star chefs, and TV stars. That's the thrill of City Cruises Live, and now it's about to get even more unforgettable with a fresh partnership that promises to elevate the experience. But hold on – this isn't just about entertainment; it's a bold move in the world of cruises that might just redefine how we think about vacations. Curious? Let's dive in and explore what's making waves.
City Cruises, the global powerhouse in dining, charters, and sightseeing cruises, is ecstatic to reveal a multi-year presenting sponsorship deal, kicking off right away, with Brian Patten and Associates (BPA). This partnership transforms their beloved City Cruises Live series into City Cruises Live, presented by BPA. Spanning five full years, it aims to flood City Cruises' American ports with an even richer array of headline-grabbing live events on the water.
Think of these cruises as intimate, exclusive gatherings where fans get up close and personal with beloved figures like chart-topping musicians, renowned celebrity chefs, legendary athletes, and charismatic TV personalities. These aren't your average outings – they're one-of-a-kind adventures that mix top-notch live performances with gourmet meals and stunning panoramas, all while gliding past America's most legendary waterfront landmarks. For beginners new to cruise entertainment, imagine it as a floating concert hall or theater, but with the added bonus of sea breezes and horizon views that make every moment feel magical.
'The launch of City Cruises Live in 2025 was one of the most impressive feats I've overseen on a tight schedule – our team really knocked it out of the park,' exclaimed Mike Flaskey, CEO of the Hornblower Group. 'We're overjoyed to welcome BPA as the presenting sponsor for the next five years. With their support, we'll ramp up our roster of extraordinary talents and attract even more adventure-seekers to join City Cruises Live, presented by BPA.'
Now, here's where it gets intriguing: BPA isn't your typical sponsor. As a go-to expert in employee benefits administration, BPA merges seasoned advice with cutting-edge tech to simplify benefits handling for businesses. Companies like City Cruises, dedicated to treating their staff with the best perks, benefit from BPA's efficient onboarding process, round-the-clock help, and tailored options that cut down on paperwork, boost employee happiness, and deliver a flawless benefits package. In simpler terms, for those unfamiliar with HR jargon, BPA acts like a trusted advisor that makes managing employee rewards – think health insurance or retirement plans – as easy as pie, using smart tools to handle the nitty-gritty so companies can focus on what they do best.
'We're delighted to team up with Hornblower and City Cruises Live,' shared Brian Patten, President of BPA. 'Our company thrives on guiding families toward healthier lives and cutting down on businesses' benefits expenses. What better fit than sponsoring a top-tier, experiential entertainment lineup on the waves?' This collaboration subtly ties into broader wellness trends, where companies invest in employee benefits to promote balance, potentially sparking debates on whether such sponsorships truly foster healthier lifestyles or if they're just savvy marketing. And this is the part most people miss: by linking employee well-being directly to leisure experiences, BPA is innovating in ways that blend corporate responsibility with fun – but is this the future of sponsorships, or a clever way to repackage benefits?
The 2025 City Cruises Live schedule dazzled with standout events featuring stars like Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean, singer-songwriter Mac McAnally, country artists Lee Brice, Michael Ray, and Randy Houser, dating show hosts Chris Harrison, Ben Higgins, and Wells Adams from The Bachelor, plus acclaimed chef Adrianne Calvo, and a host of others. Stay tuned for the full 2026 lineup announcement, which promises more surprises.
This series taps into a booming tourism shift: travelers today crave authentic experiences over mere souvenirs, focusing on creating lasting memories with loved ones. It's like choosing a heartfelt story over a trinket – and cruises like these embody that, offering family-friendly fun that builds bonds in ways hotels and tours often can't. For example, imagine sharing laughs with a sports legend while watching the sunset over Manhattan; it's experiential travel at its finest.
Want to learn more or snag tickets? Head over to citycruises.com/live.
About City Cruises: This cruise giant delivers epic dining, events, sightseeing, and live entertainment voyages across 21 breathtaking spots in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Partnering with the National Park Service and Niagara Parks Commission, they're the exclusive ferry operator for gems like the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Alcatraz Island, and Niagara Falls in Canada. Their menu of offerings spans private charters, corporate gatherings, romantic weddings, whale-watching excursions, marine life tours, water taxis, speedy boat rides, and destination ferries. Under the Hornblower Group's umbrella of water and land adventures, City Cruises boasts a storied history starting with Boston Harbor Cruises in 1926, pioneering maritime hospitality with unmatched innovation. Check out citycruises.com for details.
About BPA: BPA stands out as a reliable ally in employee benefits management, offering customized, premium support to employers and consultants everywhere. By fusing expert consultants with advanced technology, they streamline processes like enrollment, 24/7 assistance, and HR outsourcing, making benefits administration hassle-free.
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SOURCE: Hornblower Group
What do you think? Is blending employee benefits sponsorship with entertainment cruises a genius idea for promoting wellness, or just another marketing gimmick? Do these cruises truly justify their cost for the 'experiences' they promise, especially in an era of growing environmental concerns about water travel? Share your thoughts in the comments – agree, disagree, or add your own twist. We'd love to hear from you!
