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One thing that has changed in the past few decades is THE CRUISES ABOVE: The Red and White Fleet
the absence of “talkers” onboard the cruises. Nowadays, the GOLDEN GATE BAY CRUISE tours take guests up close to some
tours’ narration is prerecorded in sixteen languages and can The Golden Gate Bay Cruise is the Fleet’s most iconic tour, of the major landmarks of the San
be played through individual headsets. As new languages are carrying the distinction of being San Francisco’s oldest Francisco Bay, including Alcatraz
Island (left) and the Golden Gate
added, more and more guests from all areas of the world will narrated tour. Begun by Tom Crowley in 1939 to accompany Bridge (center).
be able to experience the same level of enjoyment on a Red the Golden Gate International Exposition, the tour gave
and White cruise. visitors a chance to see the world-record span of the Golden OPPOSITE: The Zalophus sails
Who knows what the future holds for different iterations Gate Bridge from angles not possible on land. beneath the Golden Gate Bridge on
of the Red and White Fleet’s tour roster, although it’s safe to “Our bread and butter is the daytime Bay tours,” says one of the tours.
say the company will continue to feature the amazing sights of Captain Alan Cull, who has been driving for the Fleet
the San Francisco Bay, where, as Director of Human Resources for over ten years. The Fleet’s iconic red logo is now as
Jeff Unverferth likes to tell new hires, the company has been ubiquitous and recognizable on the Bay as Crowley’s
“driving in the same circle for eighty years.” With new, zero- launches were over a century earlier.
emissions boats about to join the Fleet, and the ever-changing
nature of the area’s waterfront, it is a sure bet that new tours BRIDGE 2 BRIDGE CRUISE
and sights will continue to evolve with each new generation, A longer version of the iconic Golden Gate Bay Cruise, this
and that the Red and White Fleet will continue to stay at the ninety-minute tour adds an additional leg, sailing under the
forefront of technology and service on the San Francisco Bay. Bay Bridge and taking in the full San Francisco cityscape,

84 • Red and White Fleet