watermark tour

Watermark Online Reservations

Concierge or booking agent, for gift certificates click here, reservation / cancellation policy.

Events occur rain or shine. In the unlikely event that Watermark should have to cancel, we will attempt to contact you and ticket will be refunded or event rescheduled. Watermark may cancel any event because of severe weather, mechanical breakdown, or lack of participation. Tickets are non-refundable. Payment will be processed at the time of purchase. Vessel Substitution: Boat assignments are subject to change at any time. Route Change: Cruise and tour routes are subject to change at any time.

Policy Notices

Many cruises are walk-up only, with plenty of capacity. For our full cruise schedule, go to http://cruisesonthebay.com/ . Vessel assignments and cruise routes are subject to change. Please dress appropriately for the weather including sunscreen. We suggest comfortable shoes for walking tours. On our vessels, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Outside beverages and coolers are not allowed. Bagged lunches welcome.

Cookies and Privacy

This website uses cookies. Cookies help us personalize content and understand how visitors use our website. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.

By using this website or making a reservation with us, you agree to our privacy policy .

Watermark Cruises and Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Watermark Cruises and Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Watermark Cruises

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Birthday Parties

Corporate Events

Holiday Parties

Private Parties

Fundraising Events

Non-profit Events

Social Events

Review Highlights

“ The Watermark Taxi took us on a tour of the Annapolis harbor and let her help steer the boat. ” in 2 reviews

“ 15 minutes in a huge thunderstorm came and we had to return to the dock . ” in 2 reviews

“ It was a 3 hour cruise , that was worth every penny of the $57 dollars a ticket. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

561 Light St

Finger Piers

Baltimore, MD 21202

Serving Baltimore Area

You Might Also Consider

Tour Boat Annapolis

Come join us on the Tour Boat of Annapolis. We offer private and public cruises of the Annapolis Harbor. Come see the city from the water in a fun and exciting way. Everyone from families, tourists, locals etc. Whether it's to learn… read more

in Boat Tours, Boat Charters

Wooster Farm

🎉 Dreaming of a picturesque Maine wedding? Look no further than Wooster Farm in North Haven! 🌿✨ Our enchanting waterfront venue offers stunning fields, a rustic barn, and panoramic views. Whether an intimate ceremony or grand… read more

in Venues & Event Spaces

Alaska Saltwater Tours

Our full day Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife, Natural History, and Glacier Tour ventures deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. With over 25 years experience, we will show you the Fjords' best kept secrets. This is a… read more

in Boat Tours, Fishing, Whale Watching Tours

Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

By Water: Choose from a variety of Inner Harbor sightseeing cruises offered daily throughout the boating season in Baltimore from Cruises on the Bay™ by Watermark®. Watermark offers sightseeing, history, cocktail, sunset and fun cruises! Our cruises are pet friendly. We also cruise in Annapolis at City Dock. By Land: Annapolis Tours® by Watermark® also offers a variety of walking tours to choose from. Walk side-by-side with colonial attired guides into the history, culture and fun of Annapolis. Explore the town's famous landmarks and be inspired by the history and tradition of the United States Naval Academy. Private Events: Watermark's fleet of luxury yachts are the perfect setting for entertaining clients, celebrating a wedding and reception, or a special occasion on the Chesapeake Bay. With experienced planners, partnerships with the finest vendors and great attention to detail, Yacht Charters on the Bay™ by Watermark® offers a unique venue with unparalleled views. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Watermark Cruises .

People also searched for

birthday parties

corporate events

fundraising events

holiday parties

non-profit events

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

My boyfriend and I took the City Lights cruise out of Baltimore one Saturday evening. Unlike many harbor cruises, this dispensed with narration about what we were viewing or any history, and the captain just played music. We chose seat upstairs, at the front of the boat to get the best view. Now, at 8:00, the scheduled time of the cruise, the sun had not yet set (that was closer to 8:30), but we still had a nice view of the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and other landmarks. One of the crew members came around and took pictures of people's groups with their cameras, avoiding the whole, "we'll take a picture and you can buy an overpriced print" racket. The boat went down almost to the Baltimore Beltway bridge before turning around and heading back, so there was a great deal to see. It's nothing spectacular, but it is a nice way to spend a weekend evening. Just be careful getting on and off the boat and, if you go to the upper level, climbing and descending the stairs. (I went down facing the stairway, as it was more like a ladder.)

Gabriella S.

Business Manager

Aug 1, 2022

We're glad you enjoyed the cruise and hope you'll join us again soon. Thank you for sharing!

Underwhelming experience. Many cruise choices on the brochure were unavailable. When asked why, the sales girl (who was a high school student) said, "I couldn't even tell you." This was on a Saturday in September. So we took one of the only two available tours: 45 minute narrated tour along the inner harbor for $20 per person. It runs every hour. There was quite a lot of people boarding the small ship every hour. This is a popular pastime. Tip: sit outdoors, at the front & center of the seating area on the second floor of the ship. That way you'll get unobstructed views of the harbor. Now, to the disappointing part. The narrated part was pre-audio recorded and played to the ship guests. The sound was awful. We could barely hear what was said. Definitely not what I thought I'd be paying for. The staff members were talking really loudly right behind us (inside the ship), so their conversation was what we had to listen to during our time aboard. The facts about the harbor were not that interesting as well. Another bummer. Did I learn anything interesting? Maybe if a person was speaking to me life, I would've retained (or heard) some information. The next day, on Sunday, we return to see if we can get another tour (out of the two tours that was told was available, the 90 minute $30 per person tour of night skyline of the city). And guess what. Sunday is a rest day, so no such tours are offered! What a great tour company.

Sep 30, 2021

We're so sorry to hear that you were disappointed with our cruise, as creating an exceptional experience for each of our guests is extremely important to us. Our Baltimore Harbor Cruise and City Lights Cruise are our only two regularly scheduled events in Baltimore, and the City Lights Cruise is only offered on Saturday nights. Our brochure does highlight special events that we offer throughout the year in Baltimore. We understand that it can be disappointing when we don't have the cruise you're looking for, and we do apologize that you were not able to hear the narration. We will use your feedback as an opportunity to improve our service, and hope that you'll give us another chance in the future.

Cruises should be refundable if they are not able to offer the cruise you paid for due to weather. Extremely disappointed!! Paid extra to stay over on a Friday night specifically for this cruise. Lesson learned do not book ahead with this company. !!!!! They tell you on the phone it's rain.or shine . No mention that it may change due to wind. Once they have your money you are stuck!!!. Don't book ahead,!!!

We had an absolutely wonderful cruise aboard the Cabaret II. The staff were friendly and professional and everything was on time. My guests had a great evening on the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River. I would definitely recommend Watermark to anyone and will go with them again.

Apr 25, 2023

We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us and hope to see you again soon. Thank you for sharing!

We had a good captain, he was very nice and accommodating. We ended up being the last ride that day so it felt pretty private. It was a nice view, and a slow ride. $20 per person felt a little expensive considering nothing else came with it but its a nice lazy ride

Underwhelmed. My husband enjoyed it but I thought it was a waste of money. It's nice to get in the water and see a different perspective of the area, but it is boring and canned. I would not recommend it.

Jul 5, 2022

We apologize that you did not enjoy the cruise as creating exceptional experiences for each of our guests is incredibly important to us. We hope you'll give us another chance in the future.

We took a City Lights cruise this past weekend and were assured that all CDC and State of Maryland protocols in relation to COVID-19 would be adhered to. We watched while a crewmember sprayed the boat with a solution that was not wiped down or dried. Temperatures were taken before boarding, however, the rest of the cruise was in violation of established protocols. We were the third group to board and sat near the back, where we had to use napkins we had with us to dry the seats before sitting down. The seats were not marked to ensure social distancing as they are in many other places around the Inner Harbor. More than half the boat did not wear their masks during the cruise and the Watermark staff did not make a reminder announcement nor did crewmembers address the issue with guests that were in violation of the protocols. As a result, we were unable to enjoy the cruise because we were worried we would get sick the whole time. I completed the survey I received in the email and received the responses which I have uploaded below. The company seems to think that the customer is responsible for enforcing mask-wearing on THEIR cruises as opposed to their employees. We would not have taken the cruise had we known the company did not enforce the CDC and State of Maryland mask-wearing standards. I'll be reporting the violation and providing the emails from their employee to the Better Business Bureau as well as the local health agencies. Simply put, if you care about your health, try another company that does too.

I surprised my wife with tickets on a special "Blue Angels" cruise, during Fleet Week here in Bmore. There are numerous Navy and military celebrations all week on the Inner Harbor, but the highlight is certainly airshows (on Saturday and Sunday) by the Navy precision team "The Blue Angels". We walked to the Inner Harbor on this gorgeous sunny day....temperature was a perfect 65 degrees. It is a short 10 minute walk from our place, taking us by Camden Yards (where the Orioles play) and several other Baltimore fun places to check out if in town. We checked in with the cruise line, and waited in line because we wanted to be on the upper deck for best visibility. It was a 3 hour cruise, that was worth every penny of the $57 dollars a ticket. To have the best seats in the house, on a ship...in the water watching an air show for three hours...I mean seriously! The departure time was 1305, and we were underway at that time. There is a snack bar, and of course a bar with alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. There is a climate controlled seating area on the first level, as well as two bathrooms. (That is also where the bar is). Robin and I stayed mostly on the upper level.....as it was a gorgeous sunny day. It took about 20 minutes to get out to the perfect observation place on the water , and on the way we got to see the Navy's BRAND new destroyer, that was commissioned this afternoon. The U.S.S Zumwalt. It does not look like a typical Navy destroyer (see pictures). We got to see the Air Force , the Canadian Air Force, some older vintage propeller aircraft, and of course....The Blue Angels. The Captain (Joe) was funny and still gave interesting history on the area. This our first cruise with Watermark, but they are certainly worth the money for special events......

See all photos from Holly S. for Watermark Cruises

For my regional sales meeting I reserved a private cruise around the harbor, with cocktails. From start to finish these guys were great. Booking was a breeze, they even ordered pizzas for us to take aboard! The girls that helped me book the event even met us dock-side to ensure every detail was perfect. Thanks for a great event, and thank you for your professionalism and attention to detail! It was awesome.

So this Cruise was AMAZING! Skylar, Gave, Nick, and Captain Dean were AWESOME! They made us feel at home. I will definitely be back!

Aug 10, 2020

That's so wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing!

3 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Inn on Columbia

Inn on Columbia offers distinctive accommodations in downtown Ithaca. Our rooms, suites and cottages offer private bathrooms, WIFI, AC, in room TV as well as breakfast and parking. We are pet and child friendly. Special diets are… read more

in Venues & Event Spaces, Bed & Breakfast

Digital Factory

0.5 miles away from Watermark Cruises

We are a multimedia studio & creative facility dedicated to bringing your creative ideas to life. Hourly studio Rentals. Located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, MD, the Digital Factory is a multimedia studio that offers various… read more

in Session Photography, Art Space Rentals

Collections Including Watermark Cruises

Places to take Mom

By Mary Kay S.

Baltimore/HoCo

By Tiffani N.

Best Sunsets In Baltimore

By Briona L.

People Also Viewed

Urban Pirates

American Sailing Tours

Spirit of Baltimore

City Cruises Baltimore

Baltimore Electric Boat Rental

The Black Eyed Susan

Charm City Helicopters

SeaAffinity

Trophy Boat Club

Best of Baltimore

Things to do in Baltimore

People found Watermark Cruises by searching for…

Harbor Cruise Baltimore

Party Boat Baltimore

Yacht Charter Baltimore

Best Boat Ride in Baltimore

Best Couples Activities in Baltimore

Boat Cruise in Baltimore

Private Boat Charters in Baltimore

Sunset Cruise in Baltimore

Boat Tour in Baltimore

Historical Sites in Baltimore

Water Taxi in Baltimore

Watermark Cruise Annapolis in Baltimore

Browse Nearby

Things to Do

Personal Chefs

Fun Birthday Ideas

Engagement Party Venues

Romantic Restaurant

Other Places Nearby

Find more Boat Charters near Watermark Cruises

Find more Boat Tours near Watermark Cruises

Find more Venues & Event Spaces near Watermark Cruises

Service Offerings in Baltimore

Team Building Events

Related Cost Guides

Boat Charters

Boudoir Photography

Bounce House Rentals

Event Photography

Valet Services

Videographers

Golf Cart Rentals

Karaoke Rental

Party & Event Planning

Photo Booth Rentals

Venues and Event Spaces

Town Car Service

• 13 More Cost Guides

Watermark Harbor Cruise

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Watermark Harbor Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Watermark Cruises and Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Watermark Cruises and Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Similar Artists On Tour

Concerts and tour dates, about watermark.

Breaking the Mold: Embracing Authenticity & Living Out Loud

Dive into the second edition of the Inspire digital magazine, where every page bursts with vibrant stories and remarkable experiences that celebrate the residents and associates that call Watermark home. From residents defying gravity with indoor skydiving adventures and leading Watermark University classes to competing in ballroom dancing and 10k races, these stories remind us that age is just a number when it comes to embracing new passions and adventures.

We’re happy you’re here.

Questions? Interested in a tour? Want to attend one of our events? 

We’re excited to meet you. 

Fill in the form, or call us at  845-677-8550  to learn more. Looking to join our team? Explore all  career  opportunities.

Fill in the form, or call us at  845-677-8550  to learn more.

Caring, attentive staff. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for quality senior care!

I toured this place with my mother and was so blown away, I hope to retire here myself. 

All I can say is..it's amazing!! Everything about this community is spot on, they've thought of everything!!

Annapolis Ghost Tours: Explore the City's Dark Side

There are some Annapolitans who walk the same hallways, to and fro, never leaving the house. They peer out windows, sometimes giving a little wave to passersby. They stomp, they moan, they throw things about...they are bored to the point of torture and tortured to the point of boredom.

I’m referring, of course, to the happy haunts that have been roaming Annapolis’ historic sites for hundreds of years. You can hear more about these spirits’ stories and explore the city's darker side on these Annapolis ghost tours.

WATERMARK TOURS

Watermark , a mainstay of Annapolis tours, has three spooky options: Special Historic Hauntings, Historic Ghost Tour, and Spirits & Spirits. Special Historic Hauntings runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in October. This is a walking tour, where you will visit many of Annapolis’ haunted sites. The tour offers exclusive access to the Hammond Harwood House garden after hours so you can hear a 20-minute presentation on the supernatural connections of this historic site.

Historic Ghost Tours begin Saturdays in November. It is so easy to fall under the spell of these spooky stories with your guide, in period dress, leading you through cobblestone streets by candlelight.

Spirits & Spirits …because of course Annapolis has a ghost tour on a boat! This tour runs on Fridays and is a hybrid boat/walking tour. By sea, you’ll hear tales of pirates, Naval Academy ghosts, and nautical myths. By land, you’ll hear historic and haunting tales of downtown landmarks. And yes, as the title of this tour implies, you are welcome to purchase “spirits” from the onboard concessions on this tour! Due to the popularity of this tour and the small group size (14), this tour is often sold out. 

ANNAPOLIS TOURS & CRAWLS

The W alking Ghost Tour (runs Tues. through Sun.) is PG and family-friendly if you book the 7:00 PM option. However, the more scandalous R-rated version runs at 9:00 PM. Your lively and informative tour guide will regale you with tales of naughty, troubled, and dark spirits who linger here, with a nice dose of history mixed in.

If you want to “drink in the history, crawl out the door” (as their website describes it), then the Haunted Pub Crawl is for you. This 2-hour pub crawl will show you a secret side of historic Annapolis pubs. At each stop, you’ll have time to order drinks and chat with your tour-mates, while also hearing tales of some cheeky spirits who refuse to leave their favorite pubs.

HAUNTED HARBOR TOURS

Aloysius Martin, owner and tour guide of Haunted Harbor Tours , warns you not to bring your children on this tour. He also wants you to know that his company is “not responsible for any possessions, hauntings, lingering spirits, injuries, or creeping madness which may occur during or following the tour.” This tour is not messing around.

On this 90-minute ghost tour (which runs nightly), Martin shares tales of hauntings, witches, murder, torture, and other truly horrifying historic tales. These are not just any folklore tales; Martin is passionate about historic research and bases all his tour material around historic documents like court records and newspaper archives. If you want to be scared witless, but with a focus on history, this tour is for you. And if you attend on Halloween, be sure to wear your costume—the best costume will win a deck of tarot cards on this special tour!

So if you’re tired of haunting your own house this Halloween season, grab your friends and brave the dark streets of Annapolis for a safe, fun, and unique tour experience!

Chelsea Harrison

Download the free 2024 visitor guide.

This handy resource includes a complete listing of accommodations, restaurants, shopping destinations, and more in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County!

Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

Sign up today and we'll keep you in the loop on upcoming deals, specials, and happenings in and around Annapolis.

STOP BY OUR VISITORS CENTER

26 west street annapolis, md 21401, [email protected], phone: 410-280-0445, toll-free: 888-302-2852, fax: 410-263-9591.

Visit Annapolis

• Privacy Policy

©2024 VISIT ANNAPOLIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

OpenAI to steer content authentication group C2PA, label Sora videos as AI

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Join us in returning to NYC on June 5th to collaborate with executive leaders in exploring comprehensive methods for auditing AI models regarding bias, performance, and ethical compliance across diverse organizations. Find out how you can attend here .

One of several big announcements made by generative AI unicorn OpenAI today is that it is joining the “steering committee” of a trade group called the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), founded back in February 2021 by Microsoft and Adobe (including Arm, BBC, Intel, and Truepic among its inaugural members).

Why? OpenAI says it is doing this to “help people verify the tools used for creating or editing many kinds of digital content” and to create “new technology that specifically helps people identify content created by our own tools.”

In other words: OpenAI wants to work with other companies in this space, including its rivals, to develop tools and tech for labeling AI-generated images, videos, and other content — allowing viewers to trace them back to their source and to avoid confusing them for real world footage and photographs.

What is C2PA and what does it do?

The C2PA organization, which operates under the non-profit Joint Development Foundation , is dedicated to “develop[ing] technical specifications for establishing content provenance and authenticity.”

The AI Impact Tour: The AI Audit

Join us as we return to NYC on June 5th to engage with top executive leaders, delving into strategies for auditing AI models to ensure fairness, optimal performance, and ethical compliance across diverse organizations. Secure your attendance for this exclusive invite-only event.

In the three and a half-years since its launch, other big names in tech and AI including Google have also joined its steering committee, and the group has released a number of open source technical standards that developers and companies can implement on their products to make it clear where content generated by AI models or other tools comes from.

Among these standards are “ the C2PA architecture ; a model for storing and accessing cryptographically verifiable information whose trustworthiness can be assessed based on a defined trust model.”

The C2PA architecture has already been embraced and used by members of the organization to create “ Content Credentials ,” a web-friendly watermark indicated by a small “CR” icon in the top right corner of some images that users can hover their cursor over or tap to learn more information about who made it, using what tools, and when.

The C2PA architecture can also be baked into the metadata — or non-visual data that accompanies an image or video or other multimedia file — when it is saved, ensuring that even those who access it offline on other devices can see it. This is something OpenAI says it’s been doing for images generated with its DALL-E 3 image generation AI model since at least February of this year . ( Meta has also begun labeling AI generated images with the C2PA standard.)

Now, today, Anna Makanju, OpenAI’s VP of Global Affairs, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating in a press release from C2PA : “C2PA is playing an essential role in bringing the industry together to advance shared standards around digital provenance. We look forward to contributing to this effort and see it as an important part of building trust in the authenticity of what people see and hear online.”

Sora videos will labeled as AI generated with C2PA metadata

Though it is not available to the public yet, Sora, OpenAI’s impressively realistic video generating AI model that is being used by selected trusted partners (including to make a first-of-its-kind music video last week ), will also have C2PA metadata integrated to label video clips it generates as products of AI, when it is finally released to the public (no date given here).

In addition, OpenAI has launched something called the DALL-E Detection Classifier Researcher Access Program .

This initiative features a binary classifier designed to predict whether an image originates from OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 model. But the company wants help from outside groups in testing it.

Researchers interested in the program — OpenAI says the door is open to “research labs and research-oriented journalism nonprofits” — may submit applications until July 31, with decisions rolling out by August 31.

Social resilience fund

In addition, OpenAI says that with its investor Microsoft, it is launching a $2 million “ societal resilience fund ” that will partner with other external groups — including the AARP ,  International IDEA , and  Partnership on AI — to “support AI education and understanding” among older adults and others unfamiliar with the tech.

The news comes amid reports of people , especially on social network sites such as Meta’s Facebook, apparently being tricked by posts featuring AI generated images meant to resemble real photographs — though many like “Shrimp Jesus” are quite obviously artistic and surreal .

The big question: will these efforts meaningfully help to curb the tide of AI disinformation? OpenAI is clearly attacking on both fronts — the generation and education component, so that AI generated content is labeled, but also that people learn how to recognize and look for it.

Yet it in an era when many open source AI models proliferate, and where it remains easy to screenshot or alter images to remove metadata (C2PA tries to make this difficult or impossible), it is clear that the challenge of reliably labeling and identifying AI content is likely to remain a formidable one for the foreseeable future. Still, the company wants to been as a good, social responsible force, so taking these steps makes sense from a public relations and ideally, good corporate citizen, standpoint.

Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily

By subscribing, you agree to VentureBeat's Terms of Service.

Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here .

An error occured.

Meet the Team

Capt. Jake Iversen, President

Joined Watermark in 2017

What is your favorite Watermark product and why?

Impossible to choose just one! From walking tours to charter boat cruises and everything in between, Watermark brings history, culture, and fun to the Chesapeake area. Each of Watermark’s products is unique, distinct, and supports our brand essence statement.

Have you ever held any other positions at Watermark?

I started out as a captain on the iconic Harbor Queen before becoming General Manager of Vessel Activities in 2017. In 2022, my wife Laura and I purchased the tour and charter boat business as new owners, and I became President.

What is your favorite Watermark memory?

My favorite memory dates back to age ten. As a fourth-grader on a school field trip, I was in my element aboard a Watermark vessel, learning about the history of the Naval Academy and Annapolis. I’ve been a fan ever since!

Ginny Mininger, Chief Operating Officer

Joined Watermark in 2011

Why did you first want to work at Watermark?

After a fulfilling career in the superyacht industry, Watermark appeared to be the ideal match, seamlessly blending the joy of delivering exceptional service to guests with the pleasure of being on boats. All of this, coupled with the opportunity to establish roots in the picturesque and historic Chesapeake Bay area, made Watermark a perfect choice.

If you could trade jobs for a day with anyone at Watermark, who would it be and why?

If given the chance to swap roles for a day at Watermark, my choice would undoubtedly be our ticket agents. The sheer delight of meeting and engaging with thousands of guests, whether locals or visitors, is beyond compare. Hearing the unique stories that bring them to our area is not only fascinating but also presents us with countless opportunities every day to exceed their expectations and enhance their overall experience. It’s a role that combines the joy of making connections with the rewarding challenge of making each guest’s visit exceptional.

Chip Johnson, Comptroller

Joined Watermark in the 1980s

I really like them all. From the 40- & 90-minute tours to the Day on the Bay Cruise, or a private charter down the Severn River. I have worked on all of them.

What was your first job?

My first job was as a dishwasher at Country Kitchen in Casper, Wyoming. Needless to say, I don’t like doing the dishes.

Outside of Watermark, what is your favorite thing to do in the Chesapeake Bay area?

There are so many things to do in the area, I think one of my favorites is going to the beach with friends!

Alex Knoll, Director of Sales & Marketing

Joined Watermark in 2020

My first job was as a paperboy in Springfield, Illinois. I woke up at 5:00 each morning and walked a couple miles up and down my neighborhood delivering 200-plus copies of the State Journal-Register. It taught me responsibility, punctuality and customer service.

Besides Watermark, what are some of your favorite things to do in the Chesapeake area?

I love learning the history surrounding Chesapeake Bay … the fact that Maryland tobacco financed the Revolution; that Annapolis’ capitol is the only active capitol to also be the U.S. capitol; that when Capt. John Smith first sailed the Bay oyster reefs so large they were a navigation hazard.

I’d like to switch with one of the captains. But for the sake of any passengers, I’d settle for being mate. When I was younger, I worked several years as mate on a crab boat and loved it. All but the worst days on the water are better than any on land.

Jamie Foster, Director of Guide Operations

Joined Watermark in 2016

I scooped ice cream in rural Michigan in an old, converted railroad car called the Caboose.

I have to pick two. I really enjoy riding the Harbor Queen but also love our public walking tours! As a history lover, I enjoy walking the streets and hearing the stories of the past. The history comes alive as you make the connections from the things you are seeing and experiencing with stories and information shared by the guides.

I have been a tour guide since 2016 and still enjoy giving a tour when I can.

I love being with family and friends as well as hiking the different trails and parks around the area.

Tim Brahmstedt, Director of Vessel Operations

Joined Watermark in 2024

My first job was as a dishwasher and cook at a summer resort on Northern Lake Champlain.

Over the years, having observed the captains, crew, and all the passengers getting on and off the boats…there are a lot of smiles to be seen. It’s clearly a happy environment!

I enjoy fishing and exploring the Bay by water. Hiking and biking the great trails around Annapolis has also been so much fun!!

Being a lover of nautical history and being relatively new to the area, I’ve found the Baltimore water tours to have so much historical information to share.

Gabriella Shewfelt, Marketing Manager

My first job was at Great Harvest Bread Company in Annapolis the summer before my senior year of high school.

Our Baltimore Sightseeing Cruise is my favorite. There is so much to see and so much history to learn in the Inner Harbor. Highly recommend!

I love to walk my dog at Quiet Waters Park.

I’d trade jobs with our walking tour guides. Their love of history is so inspiring, and their ability to remember dates and names always amazes me.

Jo McCarthy, Office Manager

Joined Watermark in 2018

Day on the Bay to St Michaels is my favorite. I love the boat ride to and from St Michaels. It is very relaxing and enjoyable.

Boating with my family and friends and enjoying the many views of the Chesapeake Bay.

I would trade jobs for one day with the boat crew. I think being on the water and mingling with passengers is fun .

My first job was Assistant Portfolio Manager for Merrill Lynch.

Capt. Alex King, Company Security Officer

Joined Watermark in 2021

My first job ever was as a lifeguard at a local Swim Club in my hometown of Cherry Hill, NJ. My first “real job” was on a boat as a deckhand on the Riverlink Ferry that connects Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia to the Camden Waterfront in New Jersey!

I like to walk around the waterfront and check out dockside bars and restaurants. There’s live music at a lot of places, and a few establishments are right in marinas, so we get to watch both professional and amateur captains get on and off the docks, which can sometimes make for an entertaining happy hour!

My favorite Watermark product I’ve been a part of so far is the 90-minute tour. The 90s are a nice change of pace from the hustle of the 40-minute tours and give us a chance to see more of the features of the area that we don’t get to see every day, such as an up-close look at the Chesapeake Bay Bridges and the Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Becky Porzillo, School & Group Tour Manager

My first paycheck came as an RA (Resident Assistant) in my college dormitory at Texas Woman’s University. That began my love for and career in the hospitality and travel industry.

During summer, you’ll find me enjoying a day sailing on the Bay or tubing with the kids on one of its many tributaries. Come fall, I’ll be at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium enjoying time with friends and Mids cheering on the Navy football team. And any time of year, I’m enjoying the great foods of the Bay – crab, oysters, fish – at the bountiful restaurants in town.

It’s always great being out on the water, but there’s so much rich history in the maze of cobblestone streets in downtown. The colonial guides are a fount of knowledge, so every tour is an opportunity to learn something new.

I’d choose to work the ticket umbrella. Our ticket agents speak with so many of Watermark’s guests — they know where they’re from and what they’re interested in learning about. Plus, they have the best office view!

Christian Worch, Annapolis Operations Manager

I was a parts runner for a local HVAC company and spent summers driving a box truck around the DC area to deliver new units and remove old ones. I also learned a little bit of sheet metal work in the afternoons.

I was discovering more and more about the opportunities of a commercial Captain’s License. I wanted an opportunity to earn sea time to apply for a 100-ton license and was pointed towards Watermark.

I think Day on the Bay is such a unique offering. I’m not very familiar with St. Michaels, so it’s always a fun time for me to get down there and check out the town.

Rowan Heeg, Baltimore Operations Manager

My first job was washing dishes in what felt like the hottest kitchen in all of Harford County.

I think it would be fun to do a shift as captain on the Jolly Express in full Santa gear.

My favorite Watermark product would be Spirits & Spirits. You get to walk around Annapolis, hearing ghost stories, and then follow that up by having some drinks out on the water — best of both worlds!

I love being able to catch a game at M&T or Camden Yards with friends and family. Go O’s!

Unike Brown, Retail & Merchandise Manager

My first job was at a nursing home. I played bingo in the afternoons with the residents of Ginger Cove!

Outside of work, I enjoy hanging out with my family. We love to fish. Currently sports control our lives. My daughter plays travel basketball, and my son plays soccer, so we are always on the GO!

As an Annapolitan, Water Taxi rides have been somewhat of a tradition in my family. If you get honor roll in school, you knew my dad and mom were going to take you to the Chart House for dinner and on a Water Taxi ride. For me, it’s a really cool tradition in our family that has been done with me and my siblings, and now my kids.

Suzy Elcik, Charter Sales & Event Manager

Joined Watermark in 2008

I started with Watermark in 2008 as a wedding coordinator, and then I moved to the charter sales position. After that, I got my captain’s license and drove and worked on the boats for awhile. In July 2021, I returned to the sales office, where I am today.

My very first job was working at the counter of the Chevy Chase/DC McDonalds when I was 15. The uniform at that time was a lime green pantsuit with a matching hat! So flattering!

What is your favorite Watermark product?

My favorite Watermark product is so hard to pick. I would say either Day of the Bay to St. Michaels or the 90-minute tour to the Chesapeake Bay Bridges.

Kelsey Dunn, Charter Sales & Event Manager

At 16, in Seaford, DE, I was hired at a new pizza spot in the area called Hungry Howie’s for the summer. I helped prep the location for opening day, took delivery and carry out orders, made the food and even at times stood outside with a sign to promote the new business. I ended up leaving this job once school started back up as the schedule began to conflict with my cheerleading practice and football game schedule.

I love to get together with friends and family to enjoy the great food, drinks and atmosphere at the many local restaurants. Especially one with outdoor seating and views of the water. If there are crabs to be picked, it makes it even better!

I would love to be a Captain on one of the boats for a day! Growing up, my dad always let me take over on his boat once we hit open water. I’ll just need someone else to guide the boat out of the marina and away from the docks, LOL!

Cruising on the Catherine Marie for an event would have to be my favorite Watermark offering. The vessel screams LUXURY, and I love that.

Linda Heinz, Executive Assistant

I would trade jobs with a Water Taxi captain to be out on the water all day and to have chance to chat with our Watermark guests.

I started with Watermark in 2017 as the Retail/Program Manager and added the role of Special Events Manager in 2018.

My favorite products are our special event cruises, such as our Blue Angels cruises and our Day on the Bay to Saint Michaels, because they are a great way to connect with the Annapolis community and the Chesapeake.

When boating is not an option, I love exploring Annapolis on foot along one of the hidden walking trails or enjoying the beauty of downtown and Eastport. I love strolling along the quaint streets, over the draw bridge, and meeting friends for dinner or music at one of the many great local restaurants.

Genesis Foley, Tour Coordinator

Joined Watermark in 2023

My first job was bussing tables, in a full tuxedo, at a German restaurant.

As a history major and huge architecture enthusiast, I have to say the ArchiTrex tour. It’s a great way to learn about Annapolis’ rich and eclectic architectural history.

I love Halloween and all things spooky, so I’d love to lead a ghost tour in October.

In the summertime, sitting with family by the water, sharing a bucket of Natty Bohs and picking crabs is pretty hard to beat.

Tiffani Worley, Captain

Joined Watermark in 2022

My first job was an animal handler at a petting zoo in Reston, VA. I spent my lunch breaks with Kramer the camel or hanging out with the kangaroo joeys. However, driving the Massey Ferguson tractor was by far my favorite activity!

Dog Beach with my main four-legged man, Drexel!

Originally hailing from the DMV, I embarked on a water-based career that took me to the Caribbean, Michigan, and Newport Beach, California.  As I found my way back home to Maryland, Watermark was the operation with the best reputation and brand. How could I not want to be a part of their team?! From Baltimore to the Eastern Shore, Watermark is rich in history, culture, and unforgettable journeys.

Ralph Creel, Director of Maintenance

Joined Watermark in 2009

My first job was riding my bike around the neighborhood delivering newspapers when I was 13.

I originally joined Watermark in 2009 as Water Taxi captain and had a wonderful time interacting with our guests and showing them around Annapolis.

I love to fish!

Austin Shurtleff, Inventory Manager

My first job was in high school. I was a lifeguard at the local YMCA. I also worked in the Fitness Center as an assistant.

I wanted to work at Watermark for a couple of reasons. One was the closeness we have to the Chesapeake Bay. I love being on the water and take every chance I get to go out. Second was the history and culture surrounding Watermark. Our tour guides are so incredibly knowledgeable about the area, and I wanted to learn more about Annapolis history.

A few of my favorite things to do are visiting the various parks with my son and dog. We also frequent the library, where my son insists on checking out 10 books every trip. My favorite thing to do is walk around Main Street, seeing the shops, and sampling a little of everything that downtown has to offer.