2 days ago
Buffalo Harbor Cruises set to launch 54th season this weekend
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Harbor Cruises will officially set sail for the season this weekend, marking the start of its 54th year on the water.
Operating since 1971, the company offers two-hour cruises along Buffalo's Harbor, a seasonal favorite for locals and visitors alike.
'When we first show up to our summer dock, people come up. They are so happy to see us like we're the spring robin, like summer is finally here,' said Ryan Hayhurst, the president of Buffalo Harbor Cruises.
The first cruise of the season is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. It's the popular 'Rolling on the River' tour, a history focused cruise that features visual displays comparing Buffalo's waterfront past and present.
'We've got a bunch of photos we put down in the middle of our dance floor area on buffet tables so they can get a visual aid as to what it looked like then as opposed to what it is now,' Hayhurst explained.
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While the history cruise runs every Saturday, the cruise line offers a wide range of themed experiences from sightseeing and happy hour trips to live music cruises. A new addition this year is already generating buzz, a Taylor Swift-themed cruise.
'It's on July 13, which I hear is her birthday, and it's our first one,' Hayhurst said. 'We're going to have a DJ and it's going to revolve around all of her music. We'll have 'Swifty' bracelets, a selfie station, and other giveaways. You can buy regular tickets or a VIP pass that gets you on board early. The snack bar will even have mocktails inspired by Taylor Swift.'
Hayhurst, who grew up working on the boats, said the best part of the job is seeing the excitement of passengers, especially the younger ones.
'My favorite is just the kids. Right now, we're in field trip season, which is insanity but it's great,' he said. 'You get a boatload of fifth graders, 150 of them all fired up and having a ball. They go home and tell their families and friends. I think that's a big part of what we do.'
Tickets for Buffalo Harbor Cruises are available now. More information on schedules, cruise types, and booking options can be found by clicking here.
Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here.
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