82 INTERVIEW Smooth sailing ahead Hornblower Group’s new CEO, Mike Flaskey, talks with Michele Witthaus about his plans for the passenger shipping side of the business as the company emerges from choppy financial waters Global marine hospitality, day experiences and ferry operator Hornblower Group entered 2025 having a fresh new start after completing a challenging process of financial restructuring last year. New owner Strategic Value Partners took over the company in February 2024 in a process that included removing the company’s river cruise brand, American Queen Voyages. Mike Flaskey, a veteran of the hotel and resorts business who most recently led Diamond Resorts, was appointed as CEO of the company in August 2024. In his new role, Flaskey says he is keen to leverage his knowledge of the power of the customer experience to drive customer loyalty and brand strength. “Hornblower is a pioneer in recognising the value of the experiential world,” he says. On a personal level, Hornblower’s maritime operations hold particular significance for Flaskey. “I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and I’ve been around boats and the marine industry my entire life,” he says. “At 18, I became a licensed 100-ton ocean operator captain.” The passenger services for which Flaskey is responsible include City Cruises and City Experiences, both of which rebranded in 2021. Hornblower is also the parent company of City Ferry, which operates services across the USA, including NYC Ferry’s fleet of 38 vessels that Hornblower built and maintains. Other operations include Puerto Rico Ferry and MBTA ferry services in Massachusetts Bay. In 2024, Hornblower’s domestic ferry services carried over 10 million people. Flaskey is especially pleased to be part of the continuing contract for Hornblower at NYC Ferry, where it was the founding operator. “We are building on our success delivering and operating the system since 2017,” he says. “Our crew has since rolled out exciting passenger and technology upgrades alongside our partners at New York City Economic Development Corporation, including onboard Wi-Fi, real-time onboard “ We’re committed to evolving and modernising our brand for a new generation” Mike Flaskey Hornblower Group A NYC ferry passing Roosevelt Island in New York
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