A hot favourite with tourists of all age groups, New York City is a heady mix of colossal skyscrapers, historic buildings, treasure trove museums, iconic monuments, designer showrooms, vibrant bars, happening joints and much more. Arousing a stir inside, this city with its dazzling vibes tops the dream list of many travellers! Captivating millions of visitors, NYC is a trendsetting city with a unique charm of its own. Out of scores of things to do in this delightfully animated city, one thing you cannot miss are the famous New York Cruises. A scenic and relaxing cruise in the Hudson or the New York harbour is a quintessential New York experience. You can admire the famous New York skyline dotted with iconic buildings, spectacular bridges, famous monuments and many other best known sights, chilling on a cruise while you are filled up with interesting historical information and fun facts through onboard narration.
Why Go For An NYC Cruise?
Away from the busy city life, New York Cruises are the best way to enjoy the view of this active city while relaxing on a world class cruise. When you take the NYC Cruise you can virtually experience the feel of those millions of people who headed to this country hundreds of years back in hope of living the American dream! The view of the Manhattan clustered with multitude of famed buildings is best enjoyed while cruising along the coastline of New York City. Witness the often seen in pictures view of this incredible city from the peaceful comfort of your air-conditioned area or the open observation deck of the New York City cruises. Your cruise glides down the Hudson River presenting the best view of New York’s must sees like the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Centre, Trump Towers, Statue of liberty, Empire state Building and many others. A distant view of the skyline with towering glass skyscrapers and watching the iconic Statue of Liberty from close quarters gives you a unique perspective of the place. View of the bustling city from the peaceful comforts of the cruise, whether you are travelling alone or with family and friends, is a memorable experience you shall always remember.
Types of New York Cruises
More Sightseeing Cruises Options
More Lunch Cruise Options
More Dinner Cruises Options
More Hop On Hop Off Options
Best of NYC Cruises
Based on Tripadvisor rankings and Headout customer reviews, here's a compilation of the Top 11 New York Cruises you can opt for during your NYC Tour.
1
Circle Line NYC Landmarks Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$35
Imagine sailing through the city of New York and experiencing all five boroughs - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx – from the comfort of your cruise boat! Experience the Statue of Liberty, United Nations, Harlem, all three of the city’s rivers, and many others as on this best of New York City cruise!
Circle Line NYC Landmarks Cruise Features
- Free Circle Line Skyline Navigator App
- Narration of historical and contemporary aspects by an experienced guide
- Onboard café
- Full bar serving up hot and cold beverages, beer, wine and cocktails
- Onboard amenities including outdoor deck space, heated/air conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms
2
Manhattan Skyline Sightseeing Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$27
Sail serenely along the New York Harbor and explore the South Street Seaport, home to a number of gorgeous antique ships with rich cultural significance. Don’t miss the exquisite view of the Manhattan skyline from your cruise boat. You will even get to see the Statue of Liberty in all its glory, up close, making this New York City Harbor cruise a must-try!
Manhattan Skyline Sightseeing Cruise Features
- Your bus reservation tickets will come with free earphones
- A free poncho to protect you from any sea spray
- Free entrance for children under the age of 4
- A comfortable cruise boat with world class amenities
3
Circle Line New York Harbor Lights Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$35
The Circle Line cruise New York City covers much of lower and midtown Manhattan. Sit back and relax in your comfortable cruise boat as you admire the Statue of Liberty and sail underneath the Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges, all while munching on snacks and beverages provided on the boat! Try to choose the night trip to see a fully lit up Lady Liberty.
Circle Line New York Harbor Lights Cruise Features
- Free Circle Line Skyline Navigator App with multilingual features
- Experienced guide
- Onboard café and bar
- Onboard amenities including outdoor deck space, heated/air conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms
4
Hudson River Sightseeing Day Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$42
Glide along the Hudson River as you admire the Statue of Liberty, and sail past famous landmarks like Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Travel underneath the spectacular Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and don’t forget to take pictures of the World Trade Building, the Catskill Mountains and others as you cruise past, all on this fantastic New York City sightseeing cruise!
Hudson River Sightseeing Day Cruise Features
- Onboard commentary about the region’s history and culture
- Comfortable cruise ship with modern amenities
- Snacks, light meals and a and fully stocked bar available for purchase on board
- Provision for outdoor and indoor seating
5
Statue of Liberty Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$24
This New York City sightseeing cruise may be shorter than the others, but it offers insight into the jewel of the city, and possibly America – the Statue of Liberty. Explore lower Manhattan and take incredible pictures from your comfortable cruise ship! The cherry on top is, of course, the majestic New York skyline – this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Statue of Liberty Cruise Features
- Air-conditioned cabins
- Helpful and friendly guide!
- Get up close to the Statue of Liberty and learn all about it from the expert guide onboard
- Witness the spectacular New York skyline as you go around the New York Harbor.
- Upper and Lower Deck Available
6
Hudson River Brunch Cruise
Sunday
$95
Brunch represents the essence of class for many, and what better way is there to brunch than on a cruise down the Hudson River (with unlimited mimosas!) as you take in the beautiful sights of New York City? Enjoy gourmet cuisine as you sail past the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty, and many more! This cruise is bound to have you loving (and living!) the high life.
Hudson River Brunch Cruise Features
- Open air upper deck with comfortable lounge seating
- An extensive brunch spread including muffins and scones, French toast, smoked bacon, roasted chicken breast, mini cheesecakes, and more!
- Free unlimited mimosas for those over the age of 21
- Wheelchair accessibile
- Infants age 3 years and under are free of charge (Meal not included)
7
Hudson River Dinner Cruise
Tuesday-Sunday
$180
This is the perfect New York City dinner cruise for those who are looking for a quite romantic getaway. Indulge in a decadent 4-course meal amidst the backdrop of the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty and the twinkling Manhattan skyline, and 3 hours of unlimited beverages if you opt for bar access!
Hudson River Dinner Cruise Features
- 4 course dinner sourced with some of the finest, locally grown fresh ingredients
- Optional 3-hour access to the bar, which also includes juice for children
- 1-hour Champagne and hors d’oeuvres réception
8
Statue By Night Tour
Monday-Sunday
$23
Experience the city to its fullest through this New York City sightseeing cruise, all from the interior of your cruise ship, equipped with luxurious modern amenities. If you’re a fan of city lights, this cruise is the perfect way for you to experience the magical atmosphere of New York City at night, as well as admire the lit-up Statue of Liberty, skyscrapers, and bridges.
Statue By Night Tour Cruise Features
- Free tickets for children below the age of 3
- Boats with climate controlled interiors, so you can experience the magic of New York even on a rainy day!
- A chance to go up close the Statue of Liberty at night with a halt for photo ops
- Upper Deck seating available
9
All Day Hop On Hop Off Ferry
Monday-Sunday
$23
This is the perfect tour for the quintessential traveler – with an All Day pass, you can hop on and hop off the New York City ferries at the designated stops and explore the depths of the city however you like! Be sure to immerse yourself in NYC culture as you take in the sights, views, and delectable cuisine available. You can even do an entire circuit of the city in just 70 minutes! See the route map here
All Day Hop On Hop Off Ferry Features
- All-Day Access Pass that allows unlimited Hop on and Hop Off
- Seating on the top deck of the boat
- Boats with climate controlled interiors to battle even the stormiest of days
- Stops next to all prime attractions in NYC
10
Hop on Hop off Ferry + One World Observatory & 9/11 Museum Tickets
Monday-Sunday
$79
Through this New York City sightseeing cruise, you will have access to a top-of-the-class, climate controlled ferry boat, from which you can hop on and hop off to New York’s famous tourist destinations, be it the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, or Ellis Island! Skip the line at the 9/11 Museum and the WTC. If it’s raining, you can count on getting a free pass to Madame Tussaud’s, MoMA, Guggenheim Museum, and many others!
Hop On Hop Off Ferry Features
- Hop on and Hop off ferry with 2 hop off locations throughout Manhattan
- Tour guide narration in English
- Entry tickets to One World Observatory & 9/11 Museum Tickets inclusive
- Special Rainy Day guarantee
- A climate controlled interior for those chilly days.
11
Statue of Liberty Tour with Liberty Island & Statue of Liberty Museum
Monday-Sunday
$57
Travel from the city to Liberty Island on this Statue of Liberty Cruise if you are interested to explore the essence of American culture and neoclassical symbolism. Based on your ticket option, Climb up to the pedestal level and take in the beautiful views of New York and New Jersey. Don’t forget to check out the adjoining Statue of Liberty Museum, too!
Statue of Liberty Tour Cruise Features
- Tickets to Liberty Island + Statue of Liberty + Pedestal Level
- Access to Liberty Island Grounds + Statue of Liberty Pedestal Tickets + Access to Statue of Liberty Museum
- Round trip Ferry Tickets
- Audio guide on the ferrypr
- Professional guide through the tour
- English and Spanish Guides available onboard
New York Cruises - Views & Sights
A relaxed New York Cruise on the New York Harbour is an ideal way to discover the city’s most talked about skyline. Studded with scores of famous skyscrapers, the bustling Manhattan area looks straight out of a postcard scenery. Going past the famed bridges, experiencing iconic monuments from close quarters, spotting the much talked about distinguished places; New York cruises are popular amongst all age groups! Some of the attractions you witness are:
Statue of Liberty
A 93m high colossal statue commemorating the friendship of the people of the United States and France, Statue of Liberty is one of the most visited monuments in the world. A World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO this iconic statue of Roman Goddess of Liberty signifies freedom, hope and fortune.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island, a legendary symbol of American immigration was the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States. Opened in 1892, it served its purpose for 60 years and holds great historical importance. Located at the mouth of Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, this island is a major landmark of NYC.
Brooklyn Bridge
World’s first steel wire suspension bridge that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan is one of the oldest roadway bridges in America. Designated as a National historic landmark, the magnificent Brookyln bridge has served as an object of inspiration for many artists, poets and writers. The spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline from this bridge is mind boggling!
Empire State Building
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this 102 storied skyscraper is one of the most admired buildings of NYC. Named Empire State’‘ after the nickname of New York, this building is an identity and symbol of the New York City. One cannot leave the city without seeing this American Cultural icon which has featured in hundreds of TV shows and movies.
Manhattan Bridge
A forerunner of modern suspension bridge, the Manhattan Bridge has served as a model for many future bridge constructions. Serving as a connection between lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, this bridge has always evoked much fascination. Presenting amazing views of lower Manhattan and DUMBO, this bridge has an upper deck for vehicles and a lower deck for the subway.
UN Headquarters
Sprawling 17 to 18 acre complex of UN Headquarters is located in the Turtle Bay neighbourhood of Manhattan. Designed by an international committee of renowned architects the complex is an icon of diplomacy and style. The huge complex of such great international significance overlooking the river is a sight worth watching.
Tips For A Terrific NYC Cruise
- It is best to get your bookings for NYC cruise done in advance to avoid standing in long queues or missing the chance to get your place on the cruise.
- Arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the departure time to avoid last minute hassles.
- The open deck of your New York City Cruise can be quite windy, dress accordingly.
- It is a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars if you want a detailed view of the buildings around.
Ready For Your New York Cruise?
Check out our detailed guides on other things to do in New York City.
