Routes vary: Short cruises focus on the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, while longer sailings add the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Hudson River, and Midtown skyline views.
Boat styles: Options range from classic sightseeing vessels and open-air decks to glass-enclosed Bateaux ships and dining cruises with reserved seating.
Boarding hubs: Most cruises depart from Pier 36, Pier 61, Pier 83, or Pier 15, depending on the experience selected.
Book ahead:Sunset cruises, weekend brunches, and dinner cruises often sell out 5–7 days in advance, especially from spring through fall.
Good to know: Most cruises include live narration or onboard commentary, operate in light rain, and offer flexible cancellation policies on select tickets.
Best upgrade: For first-time visitors, choose a dining cruise or longer sightseeing route to pair skyline views, Statue of Liberty photo opportunities, and onboard amenities in one experience.
Compare your different cruises & choose the best one
Experience
Type
Boarding point
Timings
Food & drinks
Live entertainment
Book tickets
New York City Downtown & Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise
NYC cruises offer an extraordinary way to take in the sights and skyline of the city from a unique vantage point. Spot the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge from the water giving you a different perspective than from land.
One-of-a-kind photo opportunities
These cruises take you remarkably close to famous New York attractions, making for great photo opportunities of the landmarks along with the Hudson River line.
Step away from city life
Lay back, listen to the water splashing against your cruise boat and forget about the hustle and bustle of New York’s crowded streets on your cruise experience. Take in the sights of New York from your comfortable cruise.
Dine with a view
Opt for a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise and devour a scrumptious spread of entrées, salads including watermelon & feta, and delicious desserts like Tres Leches. If you’re in the mood to party, choose the tour with free-flowing mimosas and kickstart New York nightlife early!
Variety of options
Whether you're on a tight schedule or have specific preferences, there’s a cruise option for everyone, such as the 60-minute Lady Liberty Cruise for those who want to see the Statue of Liberty or the luxury New York Bateaux Lunch Cruise for a more upscale experience.
Celebrate your special occasions
Whether it's a romantic dinner for your anniversary or a loved one’s birthday lunch, celebrating these occasions on an NYC cruise makes them all the more special and memorable.
Things to know before booking your cruise tickets
Limited time or first-time visitors: If you're on a time crunch or visiting New York for the first time, a sightseeing cruise is your best option. These cruises take you close to all the iconic landmarks in one go, with 60 and 90-minute cruise options.
Special occasions or relaxation: Celebrating a special occasion or just looking to unwind after a long week? Consider the dining cruises or the Harbor Lights evening cruise.
Looking for something upscale?: The luxury lunch/brunch/dinner cruise glides through the harbor aboard a sleek, state-of-the-art ship featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows, creating an elegant ambiance. Indulge in superior amenities and à la carte dining, a step above the buffet and fixed menu offered on regular dining cruises.
Family-friendly considerations: Kids under 6 are not allowed on the Happy Hour Party Cruise and the Luxury Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Harbor Cruise. If you're traveling with family, consider sightseeing cruises or the regular dining cruise with a buffet.
Convenient boarding points: Choose a cruise with a boarding point that aligns with your itinerary: -Pier 15 (South New York): Ideal if you plan to visit nearby attractions like One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Jewish Heritage Museum. -Pier 83, Pier 78, and Pier 61 (Central New York): These locations are closer to more central attractions like Rockefeller Center, Edge, Vessel, the Intrepid Museum, and Central Park.
New York Dining Cruises: This is the most flexible option, combining brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises in one ticket category, making it ideal if you're still deciding on the type of dining experience you want.
New York Dinner Cruises: Choose between a casual buffet cruise with DJ entertainment or an upscale Bateaux dining experience with a multi-course meal and live music for a more refined evening on the water.
New York Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise:Bottomless mimosas are included only for guests aged 21+ with valid ID, and brunch sailings are among the most popular weekend cruise experiences.
New Jersey Dining Cruise: Departing from Lincoln Harbor Marina in Weehawken, this cruise offers the same iconic Manhattan skyline views as many New York sailings while avoiding travel into Manhattan.
Set sail from these NYC boarding points: Where to check in & board your cruise
What you'll see on your New York cruise
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Statue of Liberty
The star attraction of nearly every NYC cruise. From the water, Lady Liberty feels far more impressive than from shore, with unobstructed harbor views and excellent photo opportunities.
Tooltip: Seen best from outer decks
Ellis Island
Pass the historic gateway through which millions of immigrants entered America. Its red-brick buildings and waterfront setting are easiest to appreciate from the river.
Tooltip: Best viewed in daylight
One World Trade Center
The tallest building in New York dominates Lower Manhattan's skyline. Its glass facade catches changing light throughout the day and creates dramatic reflections on the water.
Tooltip: Great skyline photos
Brooklyn Bridge
This iconic suspension bridge stretches elegantly across the East River. The stone towers and web of cables create one of the city's most photographed cruise moments.
Tooltip: Seen best from upper decks
Manhattan Bridge
Less famous but equally impressive from the water, the steel-blue bridge frames downtown views and looks especially striking when illuminated after sunset.
Tooltip: Only visible on select East River routes
Empire State Building
A classic New York landmark that rises above Midtown's skyline. The building stands out beautifully against the surrounding skyscrapers, particularly during golden hour.
Tooltip: Best viewed on clear days
Hudson Yards & Vessel
New York's newest waterfront district combines modern architecture with sweeping riverfront views. The honeycomb-shaped Vessel is easy to spot from passing cruises.
Tooltip: Seen best on Hudson River cruises
Intrepid Museum
Home to a historic aircraft carrier, the Intrepid offers a unique contrast to Manhattan's modern skyline. You'll often spot aircraft displayed on the ship's deck.
Tooltip: Best viewed from the starboard side
Midtown Manhattan Skyline
Glass towers, historic skyscrapers, and bustling waterfronts create one of the world's most recognizable cityscapes. Evening departures showcase the skyline at its most dazzling.
Tooltip: Only visible on evening cruises
Chelsea Piers Waterfront
Many cruises begin and end here, offering views of Manhattan's recreational waterfront, marina activity, and the vibrant Hudson River promenade.
Tooltip: Great departure photos
Plan your visit
Here’s a sneak peek into how your river adventure will look
Frequently asked questions about the New York cruises
You can enjoy a variety of cruise experiences in New York, including sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, and dining cruises. Each of these offers a unique way to explore the city, whether you're capturing daytime photos of landmarks, enjoying a romantic evening at sunset, or indulging in a gourmet meal while taking in the skyline.
Dining cruises offer a gourmet experience with freshly prepared meals that include entrées, salads, desserts, and more. Depending on the cruise, you may also enjoy live entertainment. Some cruises offer free-flowing beverages like mimosas or champagne, making them perfect for celebrations.
Yes, these cruises are family-friendly! Sightseeing cruises are a great way to give your kids an experience of a lifetime. Some cruises have entertainment corners on board too. Most cruises are pram and stroller-friendly.
Most New York cruises operate year-round, except during severe weather conditions like snowstorms. Sightseeing cruises might have reduced operations during the winter months.
Most sightseeing cruises do not allow outside food and beverages on board. However, dining cruises provide meals, and beverages or snacks are available for purchase on most cruises.
While there is no strict dress code for most cruises, for dining cruises, wear smart attire like khakis, dresses, button-up shirts, and blouses, to match the more upscale experience. Some of the dining cruises will not allow people in casual jeans, t-shirts, and sandals on board.
While pets are not allowed on the New York cruises, you can take your guide dogs on certain cruises, such as the New York City Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Sightseeing Cruise and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sightseeing Cruise.
The legal age to consume alcohol in New York is 21 years. You’ll need to show your valid government-issued ID if you want to buy and drink alcohol on board.
Parking is available near most cruise departure points, but it is often limited. Take public transport or taxis for ease of access.
Generally, for domestic cruises like the New York City sightseeing and dining cruises, a passport is not necessary; however, you do need to carry a valid form of identification, like a driver's license.
Yes. The sightseeing cruises are a popular tourist activity in New York and are almost always fully booked. Booking your cruise in advance will ensure you get the time slot you prefer.
Yes. All your New York cruises will dock at the same port they departed from.
Your cruise tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled in case you don’t make it to the cruise and miss it.
Sightseeing cruises: Most sightseeing cruises operate between 10am and 6pm.
Sunset cruises: Your sunset cruises operate from 7:30pm to 8:30pm or 9pm based on the duration.
Dining cruises: Most dining cruises operate between 12pm and 10pm depending on whether you choose brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Entertainment cruises: The party cruises set sail between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.
*The duration of your cruise will differ based on the option you select.
Wheelchair accessible: The cruises are wheelchair friendly, allowing for easy maneuvering across the boats.
Pram/stroller accessible: Strollers are welcome on board, making it easier to navigate the deck with your little ones.
English-speaking guide: Your sightseeing cruises will have an expert guide who’ll enrich your experience with fascinating insights.
Snack bar: Refreshments are available on board at a price.
Restrooms: All cruise ships come with restrooms.
Buffet area: Buffet cruises will have a separate buffet area for convenience.
Seating: There will be seating available on board on a first-come, first-served basis, for a comfortable cruise.
Live entertainment: Some cruises like the dinner cruises will have live entertainment with a great local band on board.
Dry season (November to April): The driest months in New York City are October and September. These months generally experience fewer rainy days, making them ideal for sightseeing.
Shoulder season (April to May and September to October): These months see a drop in tourist numbers allowing for shorter queues at attractions. The weather during the shoulder seasons is pleasant, making it a great time for outdoor activities like boat tours.
Rainy season (May to July): New York sees frequent and heavy rainfall throughout the year, but the rainiest months are May, June, and July. Spring is the wettest season overall.
Snow season (December to March): Snowfall creates a picturesque winter landscape throughout the city. Sightseeing cruises in New York City generally do not operate during these months because of the potential for severe conditions like snowstorms.
Best time of day
Sunset hours: Enjoy astounding views of the skyline and New York landmarks like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center as the sun sets, making for a warm-hued picturesque backdrop for your photos.
Afternoon time: The afternoon light provides excellent visibility to capture wonderful pictures of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
After dark: Going on a dinner cruise on the Hudson River combines fine dining with magical views of the sparkling city skyline at night.
You will have to carry your government ID with you if you wish to purchase alcoholic beverages. The legal age for drinking alcohol in New York is 21 years old.
Some experiences like the New York City Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise are restricted for guests under the age of 6 years.
We recommend those with food allergies to let their server know while ordering.
You can take along your guide dogs on some cruises like the New York City Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Sightseeing Cruise, and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sightseeing Cruise.
Certain cruises will allow infants aged 2 years and below to travel free of charge but the meal will not be included.
Some sightseeing cruises do not allow you to carry food and beverages on board. Check your ticket
Address: 299 South St, New York, NY 10002, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: Versatile entertainment hub that hosts a wide variety of events, including sporting events, musical performances, art exhibitions, fashion shows, and tech conferences.
Closest bus stop: Madison St/Montgomery St
Cruises:
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sunset Cruise
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sightseeing Cruise
Address: 455 12th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: Pier 78 is a hub for sightseeing cruises and is particularly popular for ferry tours.
Closest bus stop: 12 Av/42 St
Cruises:
New York City Downtown & Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise
Address: Chelsea Piers Pier 61, New York, NY 10011, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: This is the primary departure point for various sightseeing cruises, and hosts private events, including weddings and corporate gatherings.
Closest bus stop: 12 Avenue & West 23 St
Cruises:
New York City Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise
Address: 111C 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: Pier 61 Chelsea Piers is part of the Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex, which also consists of a park, a dog park, a football ground, a basketball court, and a skatepark.
Closest bus stop: 12 Avenue & West 23 St
Cruises:
New York Bateaux Lunch Cruise
Address: 78 South St, New York, NY 10006, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: This large, two-level pier features a variety of attractions including dining and entertainment with several upscale restaurants, community spaces, sports facilities and river views. Closest bus stop: Water St & Fletcher St
Cruises:
New York City Happy Hour Party Cruise
Address: 83 North River Piers West 43rd Street and, 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States | Find on Maps
Famous for: Pier 83 is primarily known for being the home of Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises which was established in 1945. Here, you can see state-of-the-art boats docked by the pier, ready to take you on your Hudson River adventure.
Closest bus stop: 12 Av/42 St
Cruises:
Circle Line: New York City Sightseeing Cruises
Circle Line: 90-min NYC Landmarks Cruise
Circle Line: Statue of Liberty Cruises
Circle Line: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tickets
Visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, and enjoy round-trip ferry transfers with an insightful audio tour.
Starting points: New York City: Battery Park, New Jersey: Liberty State Park
Everything you get: Get skip-the-line entry for your round-trip ferry transfers from New York or New Jersey to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and their attractions. Gain insights with an enriching self-guided audio tour available in 12 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Sights covered: Liberty Island, Statue of Liberty grounds, Ellis Island, National Museum of Immigration, Statue of Liberty Museum
Why choose this: Avoid long lines with priority entry, enjoy scenic views, and explore rich history through this immersive tour. With flexible departure points and engaging storytelling, this experience offers both convenience and meaningful discovery.
Upgrades: Enhance your experience with an English-guided tour to gain more historical background on the region and American history. You can also upgrade to a 1-hour cruise-only experience, where you can view the Statue of Liberty and other sights of New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan, and the East River.
Get the ultimate New York cruise experience with City Cruises™
All featured cruises are operated by City Cruises™, one of New York Harbor's leading sightseeing and dining cruise operators. With spacious vessels, professional crews, and iconic skyline routes, they offer some of the city's most popular experiences on the water.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
Visit Lady Liberty and get historical & cultural insights on your guided tour around Liberty & Ellis Islands.
Starting point: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
Everything you get: Enjoy round-trip ferry transfers on your guided tour of Liberty & Ellis Islands. Explore the interiors of the Statue for an up-close view of the landmark. Immerse yourself in the history of New York as you visit the Statue of Liberty Museum & the National Museum of Immigration, with live narration in English providing even more insight into the iconic landmark.
Sights covered: Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, Statue of Liberty Museum, Ellis Island, National Museum of Immigration (based on tour option selected), Wall of Honor
Why choose this: Get an in-depth understanding of this historic landmark and its popular attractions with a guided tour, & enjoy round-trip transfers to elevate your experience.
Upgrades: Choose between a 2-hour tour and a 4-hour tour. The 4-hour tour includes a guided tour at Ellis Island, whereas the 2-hour express tour covers the highlights of Liberty Island and includes free time for self-exploration at Ellis Island's grounds.
Lunch, dinner, bottomless mimosa brunch buffet or 3-course plated dinner
Live DJ entertainment
View popular sights like Statue of Liberty, New York City skyline, Empire State Building, Vessel at Hudson Yards, Intrepid, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge +1 more
Go City New York Explorer Pass: Choose 2 to 10 Attractions
See NYC your way, explore between 2 and 10 of the city's top attractions over 30 days.
Everything you get: Access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions, activities, and more across NYC, with a 30-day pass validity from the day of initial use. Download the Go City app and enjoy seamless entry to the attractions of your choice without the hassle of booking your entry tickets.
Why choose this: Enjoy sightseeing & classic NYC activities and save over 40% in bookings, along with the freedom to choose between 2 & 10 attractions with a 30-day validity.
View popular sights like Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Vessel at Hudson Yards, Intrepid, New York City skyline +0 more