Before I even started planning a trip to Niagara Falls, I knew I wanted to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride. It’s the iconic thing to do, right? Well, once I started doing my research, I learned there is also the option of doing Hornblower Niagara Cruises (now called Niagara City Cruises anchored by Hornblower).
I wasn’t sure how to choose the best Niagara Falls boat tour or if we should try to do both? Our time was limited, so realistically we needed to pick either the Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower.
I wanted to share my personal experience and research with you to help make the Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower vs Maid of the Mist decision easier for you.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Please see disclosure below for more information.
We have our ponchos and we are ready to board the boat!
Contents
- Hornblower vs Maid of the Mist: What’s the Difference?
- How to Choose the Best Niagara Cruise
- Niagara Falls Night Cruise
- What to Expect on a Niagara Falls Cruise
- Niagara Falls Boat Trip Video
- Buying Niagara Falls Boat Tour Tickets
- Maid of the Mist or Hornblower Niagara Cruise?
- Expert Tips for Your Niagara Falls Boat Tour
Hornblower vs Maid of the Mist: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower and the Maid of the Mist is the history.
You may remember the Hornblower cruise we did to Alcatraz Island last year. While Hornblower has been around for over 35 years, they have only been offering cruises on the Niagara River since 2014. The Maid of the Mist first carried passengers across the river in 1846! In 1848, when the bridge across the river opened, demand for the Maid of the Mist fell. They rebranded the Maid of the Mist as a tourist boat and it has been taking passengers ever since.
Honestly, there isn’t much of a difference between the two Niagara Falls tours. Both boats take basically the same route on the 20-minute long cruise and go close to all three of the waterfalls (the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls) that make up Niagara Falls. The Hornblower Cruise is the boat tour in Niagara Falls, Canada and the Maid of the Mist docks on the American side, literally across the river from each other.
As of 2022, Hornblower does require proof of vaccination along with identification and masks to keep passengers safe. Get details of their SafeCruise policy here. Maid of the Mist does not have any vaccination or mask requirements.
Only Hornblower Cruises offers the Niagara Falls Fireworks Cruise. The weekend we were in Niagara there were no fireworks so we didn’t get the chance to do the evening boat tour. UPDATE: As of 2022, the night time boat cruises are no longer being offered.
Niagara Falls Boat Tour Price Differences
Niagara boat cruise prices are pretty similar, but the Hornblower cruise is a little bit more.
You pay for the Hornblower Cruise Niagara Falls in Canadian Dollars and the Maid of the Mist in US Dollars. Similarly, the Hornblower Cruise is included in the Canada attraction packages and the Maid of the Mist is in the American ones. (More on Getting Tickets Below)
The cost difference for the cruises might be more if you have kids. Maid of the Mist is free for kids 5 and under with an accompanying adult, while Hornblower only lets kids 2 and under on for free. It is a minor detail, but if you have twin 5-year-olds like one of my readers, Pauline, it can add up.
Both cruises provide all guests with ponchos. Spoiler alert: you will need them! The Maid of the Mist poncho is blue and the poncho for the Hornblower Cruise is red. As long as you get a poncho, that should be fine. Color should not be a deciding factor in choosing your Niagara Falls Boat Tour!
How to Choose the Best Niagara Cruise
Since the differences between the two Niagara Falls boat tours are insignificant, the deciding factor is which side of Niagara Falls you are on. Border crossing does take time, and there are fees (only a few dollars) whether you walk across the Rainbow Bridge or drive across the border.
If you are on the American side, then do the Maid of the Mist. If you are on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, then it makes more sense to do the Niagara City Cruise. We were staying on the Canadian side, so we decided to take the Hornblower. We could have also done the Maid of the Mist if we would have done the boat ride the same day we did the Cave of the Winds since that is on the American side of the falls.
Additionally, the season for Hornblower cruises is slightly longer than the Maid of the Mist. Hornblower operates their daytime cruises from April 1st until November 30th, weather permitting. Maid of the Mist ends their season in early November. (If your trip is during the off-season, check out these ideas for things to do in Niagara Falls in the winter.)
If you are concerned about COVID, Hornblower does have the vaccination and mask requirements to reduce your risk. Those who are not vaccinated would only have the option of going on the Maid of the Mist.
Luckily, regardless of what boat you choose, it will be an experience you will always remember. We had a great time!
Niagara Falls Night Cruise
UPDATE: As of 2022, the night time boat cruises are no longer being offered.
Only Hornblower offers cruises to see Niagara Falls at night. You can do the Niagara Falls Fireworks Cruise on evenings when there are fireworks scheduled. The evening cruises run from the beginning of May until the end of October. This is one of the most romantic things to do in Niagara Falls.
These cruises last 40 minutes and do sell out quickly, so you will want to get your tickets in advance. The evening cruise is more expensive than the daytime ones because it is longer. In 2019, Tickets for adults cost $42.95 CAD and $27.95 CAD for kids 12 and under. I should also mention that these extended night cruises do include a cash bar, light snacks for purchase, and music.
Hornblower does also offer 20-minute long Voyage to the Falls Evening cruises as well for the same price as the daytime cruise. During this cruise, you would also get to see the falls illuminated.
All the evening cruises are described as a “light mist experience” rather than the “full mist experience” of the daytime cruises. I am guessing with the “light mist experience” you would still get wet. The boats do have indoor areas if you want to make sure you stay completely dry. I’m not sure you would get the full experience if you stay inside the whole cruise though.
What to Expect on a Niagara Falls Cruise
My experience on my Niagara boat tour was different than I expected. I thought that as we got close to the Falls the water would get pretty rough. That wasn’t the case. The water seemed to be pretty calm but the mist and wind were much more powerful than what I expected.
You need that poncho and you need to tie it tight. I had to hold on to poncho in order to keep my hair somewhat dry. Even with holding onto my poncho my hair did get wet though!
Since you will get wet anyway, it could be a good thing to do when it is raining in Niagara. Looking back it would have been nice to have some waterproof covers for our shoes (like these). Even with shoe covers, you still need to allow time for the rest of you to dry!
We were happy we were able to go back to the hotel and change before dinner. If you do your Niagara boat tour on a chilly day, you will want to get out of your wet clothes as soon as possible. Ladies, you will also want to be sure to bring waterproof mascara!
I should mention there is no storage for your belongings. Please don’t bring things (i.e. electronics) that are not waterproof. If you plan on using your cell phone to take photos, you should bring a waterproof phone case. You can actually find some good quality ones that are affordable on Amazon (click here to check price and availability).
We used a GoPro Hero 5 Black for our video. It is waterproof and great for capturing action video like this. (Note: We have since upgraded to the GoPro Hero 7 Black and love it – click here to check price and availability for the GoPro 7).
Also, check out my practical tips for visiting Niagara Falls and my packing guide for more helpful information to plan your trip.
Niagara Falls Boat Trip Video
Get a better idea of what our Niagara Falls boat was like by watching our video.
Buying Niagara Falls Boat Tour Tickets
Unlike many other popular tourist attractions, you do not need to buy tickets for the Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower in advance. The boats run frequently and carry hundreds of people, so they don’t sell out.
While you can buy tickets online, you cannot book a specific tour time for daytime cruises. We bought our tickets at the booth in front of the Hornblower Cruise when we were ready to do the boat ride.
It may seem like there is a long wait for the tours, but since boats are large and run every 15 minutes the lines will move reasonably fast. During peak days, I would recommend going early to minimize your wait time.
It wasn’t crowded when we went, so we could have gotten right on when we got to the dock but we decided to wait and be the first people to board the next boat. That way we could get the best seat – well, place to stand. You don’t need to worry about where you end up standing though. Visibility is limited and you’re going to get wet anyway!
Maid of The Mist Tickets
For Maid of the Mist, you can purchase tickets online in advance here but they are not for a specific day or time. For 2022, adults tickets cost $25.25 USD and children tickets (ages 6-12) are $14.75 USD. Remember children 5 and under are free with an accompanying adult.
If you are looking for a Maid of the Mist discount and plan on seeing other attractions on the New York side of the Falls, you may want to purchase the Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass.
Hornblower Niagara Cruise Tickets
We purchased our tickets at the terminal right before the cruise, but you can purchase online in advance to save time. Tickets purchased online here. It costs $32.00 CAD plus HST for adults and $22.00 CAD plus HST for kids ages 5-12 (Summer 2022 pricing). Children 2 and under are free.
For the daytime tickets, you can choose a specific day but not a specific time. Your tickets are an email with a barcode which you can either print out or show on your phone (you must be online). If you wait to purchase the tickets until you arrive, you can opt out of the funicular and save $3 CAD, but you may have to wait in line.
If you prefer, the Hornblower Journey to the Falls Boat Tour is also included in the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass along with other attractions on the Canadian side of the Falls. Get more information about the different passes that include the Hornblower here.
For the evening cruises, I would recommend booking as early as possible because tickets are limited and they do sell out. You can also save money by buying the Day & Night Cruise package.
Maid of the Mist or Hornblower Niagara Cruise?
Going on a Niagara Falls boat cruise should be on your bucket list. Both the Maid of the Mist and the Hornblower Niagara Cruise offer similar experiences. Don’t feel like you have to choose the Maid of the Mist because of the iconic name, the Hornblower can be a good alternative especially if you stay on the Canadian side. Whichever boat ride you choose, I am sure you will love it.
Have you been on either the Hornblower Niagara Cruises or the Maid of the Mist or both? I would love to hear about your experience.
–Anisa
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Expert Tips for Your Niagara Falls Boat Tour
- Location is the best way to choose when you are debating the Maid of the Mist vs Hornblower. If you are on the American Side of Niagara Falls, choose the Maid of the Mist. If you are on the Canadian Side, go with Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower, it’s basically the Canadian Maid of the Mist.
- Do not bring electronics that won’t fit inside your pocket or purse on your cruise. There is a high probability they will get wet from the mist. If you are bringing your cell phone to take pictures, consider also bringing a waterproof case
.
- The daytime boat tours do not need to be prebooked.
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Last Updated on March 6, 2023
I’m not sure which one we did when I was a teen, but being a lover of history I would probably choose the Maid of the Mist! Would love to go back! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Lolo – The Hornblower has only been around since 2014, so I am guessing you did the Maid of the Mist.
Great tips! I’ll keep these notes for my trip to Niagra!
Susan – Thank you. You will love Niagara. I have a few other posts on my blog that you might find helpful as well.
Wow. I had no idea there were night cruises and so many cruise options out there or that this cruise offers cruises to Alcatraz as well. Saving this for any future Niagra Falls trips so I can pick the beat option for me.
Kelly – Yes there are several different options. We did also enjoy the cruise we took to Alcatraz with Hornblower as well. I hope you get to visit Niagara soon.
On my bucket list! The nighttime boat ride sounds amazing! Thanks for all of the great tips—especially about the electronics.
Melinda – I hope you get to go. Glad you appreciated the tips. I think I will try to do the nighttime boat ride next time I am there.
Great tips and explanation on the difference between the two cruises. We’ve only done the Maid of the Mist tour several years ago and really enjoyed it. Ut’s fantastic to hear that there is now an alternative. We’d love to go back and do that night tour.
Thanks Mary, glad you found the post helpful. I want to go back and do the night tour.
Hi Anisa, looks like you two had a fun time. I’ve done the Maid of the Mist cruise twice as a kid and would love to return as an adult!
Jessica – Thank we really did enjoy it. I hope you get to go back!
I recently got to visit Niagara Falls for the first time but didn’t have time for a cruise. I can only imagine how “misty” it is down on the water! Thanks for the inspiration to take a cruise next time I visit! Really helpful post 🙂
Awe Susan! I hope you get the chance to go back. If you are curious about how misty it is, you can get a good idea by watching the video.
Thanks for explaining the difference between going for these rides no matter which side of the falls you are located. Funny video at the end! what a wet journey!!
Sylvia – Glad you found the post helpful and enjoyed the video!
When we went 12 years ago we got on the Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side. Clearly things have changed. In those days the ponchos were big with lovely long sleeves so only our feet got wet. It was spectacular. Would love to go back and do it again. The roar of the falls was unbelievable.
We also did the helicopter trip. That was also spectacular, and even my wife, who hates flying, loved it.
So glad you guys loved Niagara Falls too. Funny you didn’t get wet! I would love to go back there and do another cruise too!
Good info – Thanks Anisa. We just assumed both companies did the Illumination night cruise. Definitely keeping this one handy for later! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Glad to found it helpful. I know you guys will have a great time!
Interesting to know that the rides are the same, you’ve just saved so many people a lot of legwork! I love your which one is better posts! #theweeklypostcard
Thanks Hilary. Glad you found the post helpful. I figure I might as well share what I learned!
As you said, that was intense!! Wow, absolutely incredible! My little nephew was watching your video with me and he said, ‘I can’t see anything!’, lol!! I explained to him about Niagara Falls, the cruise and the intensity of the water, mist and wind, etc – he was amazed by your video!
Kat – So glad to hear you enjoyed it. I hope you get the chance to take your nephew there when he is old enough.
I am doing a tour of the US this year and I was disappointed to read that we would be going with Hornblower. I’d heard so much about Maid of the Mist and everyone said I “must do it” but I had never heard of Hornblower (I’m Australian. It might be more well-known in the US). But I am so glad I read this because it sounds like I’m still in for a real treat. Pink suits me better anyway! 😉
Clare – So glad to hear that! You are going to love Niagara. If you get a chance we really enjoyed the Cave of the Winds too. I also have a post and video on that so you can see what its like.
You noted that the Hornblower does not have seats. Does the Maid of the Mist have seats? I am going with my mother and she might need to sit down.
Lillian – I found mixed information on the seating for Maid of the Mist, so I would suggest contacting them directly and see what can be arranged – https://www.maidofthemist.com/contact-us/
Great article! We travel to Niagara Falls (Canada) September 30th for 4 days, 3 nights. We will do the Hornblower cruise
Mel – That sounds great! I am sure you will have a wonderful time.
Fellow Texan here, thanks for sharing. Had never heard of the Cave so excited to see about adding that to our trip!
Howdy! Yes definitely visit the Cave of the Winds and go to the Hurricane Deck. We had so much fun!
I enjoyed your video. Very good travel guide. Thank you.
Frank – Thanks so much, I appreciate that. Are you going to Niagara Falls soon? If so, I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Thanks. Used to live near there and saw the Falls about 70 times. Never got to take the boat tour. Doing that next month.
Michael – Glad you are finally getting to do a Niagara Falls boat tour. Which one will it be?
We’ve done the tours on both sides but not with Hornblowers as yet. Our choice will be basically which side that we’re staying on but one factor that people may consider is that the Canadian side may be more busy as the views are more iconic from Canada. On the other hand, there are many fine views and experiences on the American side.
Yes. Good points. It’s definitely worth visiting both sides of Niagara Falls