Empress Yacht Charters| San Francisco Bay Cruises and Romantic Yacht Weddings

Getting Engaged on a Yacht

Captain Gerry — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:03:43 +0000

Presenting the most romantic way of popping the question to your sweetheart – Hire a yacht, cruise along the magical waters of San Francisco Bay and propose to her on the deck during the magical moment as the sun sets – The entire yacht to yourselves, just the two of you and your own private captain. It’s an intimate, affordable plan. For something truly exceptional, to match that special occasion of your life, the romance, privacy, and beauty of a private cruise on San Francisco Bay remains unmatched. All you can hear is the gentle sound of the wind and the waves.

Take the time and make the effort to plan one of the most important days of your life. It does take a little bit of preparation to surprise your beloved with a romantic, unique, surprise engagement on the waters aboard a private yacht. Empress Cruises & Events of Sausalito operates throughout the year. Contact us and we will make available a yacht for your exclusive use. Tell us what you would like for your perfect day and we will arrange it any day, any time. Our event coordinators will custom tailor your special day with additions such as chilled champagne, flowers and a cake if you so desire.

We will ensure all arrangements are in place and provide you the perfect setting for the momentous occasion of your life. We are proud of our impeccable service and customized catering options.

Yachts are beautiful at full sail and can be an ideal place to propose. When you cast off from the dock of the Bay, you are about to embark on a one-of-a-kind sunset sailing experience while enjoying the stunning views of the SF Bay dotted with historical landmarks. Designed for comfort with upscale amenities, our yachts continue to raise the bar for the ultimate cruising experience.

If you’re looking for a magical location to ask the love of your life to become your life partner, there’s no better setting than the romantic city of San Francisco and no better place than a yacht cruise with a beautiful sunset as a backdrop. You could stand at the bow of the yacht and pop the question. It’s even more romantic at night under the moon and stars. For a very personalized experience, hire a private yacht for a couple of hours and surprise the love of your life in the most unexpected manner.

Contact us on 888.922.4898 and tell us what you would like for your perfect day. You may also contact us via email sales@empressevents.com. We look forward to working with you!

A Solemn Ash-Scattering Ceremony for Your Loved One

Captain Gerry — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:51:33 +0000

The loss of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time for the family. Increasingly more and more people are opting for ash scattering of their family and loved ones for their own reasons. Scattering ashes is something that should be done with respect, dignity and with a sense of celebration of life. Ash scattering on a marine background is a beautiful final tribute, a respectful way of returning a loved one to nature, in a peaceful natural setting. Environmental considerations are making the scattering of cremated remains an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional forms of burial.

Ashes scattering at sea brings closure to the loss of a loved one and brings in a sense of finality and of a new beginning.

At their end, many choose to return to the sea; but sometimes because of the logistics involved, it is not always possible to scatter ashes without professional assistance. Empress Events helps your family honor the final wish of your loved one. We provide private ash scattering and sea memorial services. We offer two kinds of memorial services: placement at sea, or scattering ashes to sea. During a placement at sea service, the cremated remains or cremains as they are sometimes called, are sealed in a bio-degradable urn which is “placed” in the water to descend to the seabed. A funeral director or clergy may assist during the ceremony.

Revisits to original ash scattering locations can also be arranged. Our boats are Coast Guard Inspected and run by licensed captains and adhere to the strictest safety standards. The law says the scattering must be done 500 yards or more from shore of the ocean.

We are happy to personalize each service according to the wishes of the families involved. We can arrange rose petals or cut flowers to release into the water. The Captain will position the boat so that the ashes will blow away from the boat and get dispersed with the wind.
We specialize in small groups and you have the entire motor vessel to yourself. You may bring music if you like and catering is available. On the spectacular setting of San Francisco Bay, family and friends say their final goodbye to their loved one.

Please give us a call on 888-YACHT98 888-922-4898 and we can arrange all of the details required for scattering ashes in San Francisco Bay. During this difficult time for your family, Empress Events assure you of the respect and honor your loved one deserves on their journey to their final resting-place.

Take a Short Break on a Yacht Charter Cruise

Captain Gerry — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:53:01 +0000

Indulge in an entertaining yacht cruise along the magical San Francisco Bay. A cruise is no longer a pastime of the rich and famous only. It’s an affordable indulgence for everyone. Sailing on the waters on a beautiful day is a wonderful experience and makes for the perfect city break or a weekend sojourn. A short term yacht charter is an innovative way of recharging spent batteries in absolute privacy without the hassle of crowds and standing in lines associated with traditional holidays.

If you’ve never planned a yacht charter before we recommend that you get in touch with the professional planners at Empress Cruises & Events. Our luxury yachts ‘The Yacht Empress’ and ‘Avalon’ are ideal for your upcoming private party, corporate get-together, for an anniversary/birthday or anything that calls for a celebration with sparkle and excitement. Share your event goals and ideas and we will work with you to design a special experience to match that special occasion of your life. We have the expertise to make your dream a reality going that extra mile to ensure that all your needs are met.

Cruise along unhurriedly along the spectacular Bay as a perfect backdrop and pamper yourself and your guests with gourmet cuisine and premium beverages, backed by unmatched personalized service from our trained staff. Our captain and uniformed crew will greet you and your guests and you can be assured that you are in for more than a mere boat rental experience! We dock for yacht charters in San Francisco’s South Beach, San Francisco Marina, Sausalito, and Berkeley.

Rejuvenate yourself with the finest yacht charter sailing experience. Enjoy romantic sunsets cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge. Cruise the length of the S F Bay and behold the thrill of gliding past the historic Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the breath-taking San Francisco waterfront. A relaxing afternoon Bay cruise is the perfect way to experience the best of this magical city while at the same time taking a break from grueling work schedules.

Sit back and enjoy a quiet get away with great appetizers, delectable meals and drink. Nothing beats the wonderful hospitality of a San Francisco yacht charter, customized to suit your specific needs to make your trip truly memorable.

Our impeccable service can be seen in the detailing – Fresh flowers, cold champagne and an array of well arranged mouthwatering dishes using only the freshest and finest ingredients.

Empress Events is open throughout the year and we will be happy to arrange a cruise for you along the incredible surroundings of the San Francisco skyline. Call us Toll Free: 888.922.4898 or Contact Us via Email: sales@empressevents.com for a quote.

Anniversary Celebrations on a Luxury Yacht

Captain Gerry — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:42:24 +0000

Are you looking for an innovative way to celebrate an anniversary? Opt for a customized anniversary brunch or lunch, aboard a luxury yacht while circumnavigating the beautiful San Francisco waterfront by day or a dinner while sailing by its glittering skyline by night. The perfect venue for your anniversary celebration in affordable luxury is to take a cruise on a luxury yacht under the Golden Gate Bridge, past the historic Alcatraz and Sausalito.
The thrill of being on the waters elevates anniversary celebrations to a whole new level. Nothing can quite compare with the experience of celebrating with loved ones aboard a chartered luxury yacht with gourmet cuisine and spectacular views. It’s not something that people get to do often.

Making the Right Choice of Cruise Liner
With so many cruise lines, itinerary options, cabins and prices to choose from, potential cruise passengers can feel overwhelmed by the surfeit of choices. Choose a yacht charter that’s right for you. At Empress Events, we help you plan out an exceptional cruise experience in the most memorable setting of the spectacular San Francisco Bay. Whether you’re planning a small, intimate family celebration or a big bash, our professional event planners, help create an unforgettable event.

Make a choice from our extensive menu options to complement the event. It could be a casual brunch to a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, backed with an anniversary cake, a professional DJ, fireworks, decorations and more. Also throw in flowers and sweets, sparkling wine and commemorative glasses. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

Unwind as we begin to cruise the calm waters and let our gracious crew transport you to a world of ease and luxury. Start with cocktails on deck. Being the only guests on board, you are assured of undivided personal attention. Enjoy the scenic highlights of San Francisco Bay from different angles around Alcatraz, under the Golden Gate Bridge and along the waterfront west of Fisherman’s Wharf. Our friendly, helpful crew will treat you to an evening of luxury with delicious food and live entertainment.

Popular Option
Many couples celebrate their anniversaries with an evening on a cruise, a delightful way to celebrate their special day. The romance, privacy and beauty of a private yacht charter or a dinner cruise aboard one of our classic luxury yachts on San Francisco Bay are truly the best way to celebrate special occasions.

Empress Cruises & Events operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. So we can arrange a bay cruise that’s just perfect for you at whatever time or date that suits you. The Yacht Empress is a popular yacht for corporate parties, sunset dinner cruises and live music cruises. It has a dance floor, and can accommodate up to 149 guests on three levels. The 70 foot long Avalon accommodates up to 49 guests on four levels. The enclosed veranda deck on the stern of the yacht features a full-service bar. Avalon is ideal for small gatherings.

Call us Toll Free on 888.922.4898 to chalk out an unparalleled private yacht charter experience on SF Bay…

Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise

Captain Gerry — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:14:21 +0000

May 9, 2010
12:00 pm	to	3:00 pm

Capt. Gerry will once again be pouring mimosas for Mother’s Day Brunch, as the Yacht Empress tours the Bay. Join us from 12 to 3:30 Sunday May 9th. $90 per person (kids under 10 half price.) The ocean air, scenic views, and spring sunshine will make Mom’s day a day to remember.

Valentine’s Day Brunch Cruise 2010

greg — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:47:36 +0000

February 14, 2010
12:00 pm	to	3:30 pm

This year, Valentines Day and Chinese New Year are on a Sunday. We will be pouring mimosas along with the Chef’s special brunch as the Yacht Empress tours the Bay. We will be welcoming in the Year of the Tiger.

The brunch tour will leave Sausalito Yacht harbor at 12:00 for a three and a half hour cruise. Cost per couple $180 ($90 per person). This will really be our first major cruise event of 2010.

“Last year we had a full house and everyone raved about it,” says Captain Gerry. “Some folks will be having brunch with us, and maybe go to China Town for dinner later on.” It’s sure to be fun. This time of year on the Bay is wonderful.

For more information call us at (415) 720-7935.

Fundraising Aboard a Private Yacht

Captain Gerry — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:17:35 +0000

Fundraisers are no longer restricted to formal events within a cramped hall. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to raise money for an organization is through a cruise! Raise funds for a worthy cause and enjoy fellowship and an exciting sailing experience at the same time. Whether community groups, church groups, youth organizations or other charities, hosting a fund raiser on a yacht or boat provides instant appeal and excitement and active participation, generating significant funding and contribution, thus meeting all fundraising targets. Check out with cruise agencies about how they can organize a fund raiser.

How a Change in Location Helps Generate Funds

Fund raising aboard a cruise leaves a lasting impression and makes the whole experience an enjoyable one. It fosters a community feeling that is so vital in charitable work. When people come together in a spirit of giving and fun, it’s a win-win situation for everyone! You raise the money that benefits the cause and your supporters enjoy a fun experience to remember! While aboard, guests enjoy superb meals, catered drinks, entertainment, and exciting activities.

If you are on the fund raising committee of a charitable organization or group interested in organizing a fundraising cruise along the majestic San Francisco Bay, Empress Cruises & Events can be your host for your next fund raiser. We will organize a private affair aboard one of our classic luxury yachts

A Joint Effort

Of course, fundraising cruises require a lot of coordination and planning. Empress Events customizes your fundraiser to meet your specific donor requirements, helping out with all the detailing and planning of the event, taking the burden of implementation off your shoulders. We work with the organization to decide on a theme, communicate the information about the cruise to members and donors, encouraging them to join the cruise.

Sit back and enjoy the beauty of San Francisco Bay on a chartered yacht with a professional captain and crew and raise a boatload of money to meet the fundraising goals of your organization. Our highly trained crew takes care of everything on board, giving you all the time to mingle with your guests to make this your most successful fundraiser yet!

Traditional methods of fundraising become unproductive after a point of time. A cruise based fund raising event is an exciting way to raise money for non-profit organizations where donors enjoy the additional bonus of an exciting cruise ride as well!

Call Empress Events on 888.922.4898 for detailed information on how an event at sea can be put together to meet your funding needs. Contact us via Email on sales@empressevents.com and we’ll get back to you with more information on how Empress Events can host your next Fundraiser.

Tie the Knot with a Memorable Cruise Wedding

Captain Gerry — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:06:48 +0000

Cruise weddings are an unconventional trend increasingly becoming popular with couples who are opting for the charisma and excitement of a wedding aboard a luxury yacht or boat. The logistics involved in a yacht wedding are different from a conventional wedding on land. Yacht liners that provide this option have wedding event specialists’ who sort out all the details and work closely with the couple to design and co-ordinate the perfect wedding day, offering them a stress free experience without having to worry about the intricate details.

A yacht wedding offers many advantages over a traditional wedding:
• Family and guests are all in one place – in a more intimate setting
• All the wedding details are taken care of by competent wedding planners
• Wonderful scenery all around makes the ceremony even more exquisite.

If you’re looking for an alternative from the conventional Church wedding, consider the option of tying the knot amidst unique, aquatic settings along the San Francisco Bay. Make your wedding day an affair to remember – aboard a private luxury yacht with the magical setting of the breathtaking San Francisco Bay as the backdrop. Where else will you find such an exciting and intimate location for the most unique day of your dreams surrounded by family, friends, and changing views of the Bay?

Empress Cruises & Events provides individuals and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area with elegant Bay cruises on yachts for any occasion including a yacht wedding cruise. A wedding on a yacht is ideal for small weddings since it can accommodate only a limited number of guests.

Empress Events will create the most romantic, memorable and fun-filled outdoor wedding ceremony on a boat that you can find in the SF Bay area. Our friendly Captain Gerry Robertson performs the wedding ceremony for you. Your wedding party departs on our private yacht from either our San Francisco or Sausalito port. Sip on champagne while cruising past the San Francisco city skyline and Angel Island.

Taking the Stress off You

Arranging a wedding is indeed very stressful. Empress Events has three professional wedding planners who will have everything done for you to ensure that you have the perfect, personalized wedding ceremony you’ve always dreamt of. All the details are taken care of – food & beverages, the wedding cake, flowers, music, décor, linen & glassware, photography. We also welcome your treasured pet on board. We offer free parking and handicapped access at our Sausalito location. For your convenience, we offer service from four ports on the San Francisco Bay.

What an amazing experience it would be to get married to the person you love in a non-traditional wedding location, in a novel way, amidst the expanse of the Sacramento River, cruising beneath bridges, sailing on the waves of crystal clear water as both of you say “I do”.

Contact us on 888.922.4898 and tell us what you would like for your perfect day. You may also contact us via email sales@empressevents.com. We look forward to working with you!

Bring in the New Year aboard a Luxury Yacht on the San Francisco Bay

Captain Gerry — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:26:57 +0000

The hot spot to bring in the New Year is aboard a luxury yacht on the San Francisco Bay, the world’s most scenic waterway. If you’re looking for a special place to celebrate the New Year’s Eve…Welcome aboard the 90ft Yacht Empress, the newest yacht on the SF Bay, family owned since 1985. Spend an amazing New Year eve night at sea, on our luxury yacht, with a small, intimate group of people and friendly staff for our New Years Eve Fireworks Boat Cruise and Dance.

Empress Events has remained a family-owned and operated luxury yacht charter group founded by Captain Gerry K. Robertson who has 25 years experience sailing the San Francisco Bay Delta. The company’s smaller yacht ‘The Avalon’ is a classic 1971 wood boat with fine mahogany wood blended with teak. She can accommodate up to 49 people for cocktails/dinner and Hors d’ Oeuvres with plenty of room inside and outside. Overnight stays can also be arranged.

Celebrations begin the moment you step in. The Marinas are filled with boats all decorated in holiday glow! Our delicious New Year’s Eve buffet dinner is a tempting feast of gourmet treats a testimony of our private chef’s culinary skills. A cocktail bar, live entertainment and breathtaking views of festive lights adorn the Bay Bridge at night. Dance the night away to all-time favorite numbers from the past and the present courtesy our onboard entertaining DJ.

Celebrate the end of the old and the beginning of the new with an unforgettable cruise. Take a break from the hustle and bustle that surrounds the holiday season. Begin the countdown to welcome 2010 with the San Francisco Bay as a perfect backdrop, a glass of champagne and a spectacular view of the fireworks on show, from our magnificent outdoor decks. Ring in the New Year feeling pampered, relaxed and refreshed.

At midnight, raise a toast and celebrate with the crowd in a count-down to New Year 2010 as the fireworks off the Bay take your breath away. Step into 2010 with wonderful memories of the most memorable New Year you have celebrated.

Reserve your tickets early as this cruise sells out fast! Contact Us via Email: sales@empressevents.com for a quote or Call us Toll Free: 888.922.4898

Spectacular Christmas Cruise along the San Francisco Bay

Captain Gerry — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:10:53 +0000

Celebrate the Christmas season with a scenic dinner cruise along the majestic San Francisco bay – a perfect opportunity to get together for a celebration with family, friends or colleagues. The prospect of going out for a cruise is itself a delightful idea. What better time to enjoy a cruise than the Christmas holiday season when the lighted bridges and buildings of the city glow in the distance. The Marinas are in their glorious splendor and the other boats too are bedecked in holiday glow!

Take in the brilliance of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Fisherman Wharf aboard the newest yacht on the San Francisco Bay -The 90ft Empress. The Empress can accommodate up to 149 guests for a cocktail/ Hors d’ Oeuvres reception and up to 130 guests for a buffet or sit down dinner. It is equipped with a flat screen TV, dance floor, and two separate bars. The Empress can also accommodate full bands.

Catering to groups of all sizes, whether formal or informal, our friendly staff ensure that this is the perfect setting for your Christmas celebration surrounded by one of the most spectacular harbors in the world, in one of the best ever festive cruise you will cherish for many years to come. Enjoy relaxed conversations and exchange gifts in a serene setting with breathtaking views from the deck.

Take your pick from a brunch cruise or a supper cruise. Dine in style with a traditional holiday buffet prepared by our veteran chef while you enjoy the calm waters with live entertainment. Our Empress Yacht holiday menu is a 4 tier array of mouth-watering appetizers (collection of cheese and seasonal fruit), choice of salad, exotic Entrée such as Rosemary Roasted Turkey, Maple Glazed Ham, Herbed Filet of Beef and Charred Australian Lamb (menu may vary for each cruise) and dessert consisting of the Chef’s choice of Assorted Petit Fours and Mini-Tarts. End with Coffee, Tea & Decaf.

Meanwhile, for your next office Christmas party, think outside the box. Look for an alternate venue to break the monotony of partying in ordinary banquet halls and party rooms. Host your company Christmas party or group outing aboard a yacht for a cruise on the SF Bay. Sail along San Francisco’s magnificent waterfront with its modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks. The Golden Gate Bridge offers excellent photo opportunities.

We will take care of everything: drinks, dinner and music. Book early and celebrate your most memorable Christmas ever on one of our fabulous luxury Yachts.