The 11 Absolute Best Cruises in New York City
Make the most of your stay in New York with these boat tours
Are you looking for the best cruises in New York that you can take? Look no further! Here you find some of the best cruises in NYC that are currently available!
Seemingly all cruise operators in New York City are back on the water, giving you plenty of options to relax on a boat and enjoy mesmerizing views while maybe even sipping cocktails and eating cheese.
My Personal Recommendations
My Favorite Cruise In NYC Right Now
If I had to recommend a cruise in New York City right now, it’d be the Day Sail to the Statue of Liberty and the Evening Sail with Live Jazz. On these tours, you’ll get to enjoy all the views you could wish for.
My Favorite Cruises in NYC
This list displays the best cruises in NYC you can take this winter! Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s sightseeing or leisure, with or without food, at day or at night – there’s a cruise for you!
-
01
Sail to the Statue of Liberty
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
This sailing tour is one of the most enjoyable boat tours I’ve ever done in New York! On board on this 105-foot schooner you sail from the Chelsea Piers to the Statue of Liberty and can always see the beautiful skyline of Manhattan and New Jersey. Included in the price is a drink and guaranteed a lot of fun.
-
02
Evening sail with Live Jazz
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
This 90-minute live jazz sail is one of the best NYC sails I’ve ever done. You’ll sail from Chelsea Piers to New York Harbor, always with the beautiful skyline and Statue of Liberty in view. What you can expect on the Live Jazz City Lights Sail and why you should definitely do it, I’ll tell you in my report!
-
03
Staten Island Ferry
Cruise in Staten Island
One of New York’s most popular tourist attractions is the Staten Island Ferry, which commutes between the southern tip of Manhattan and Staten Island. The crossing is free of charge! The 5-mile journey takes about 20-25 minutes and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.
-
04
Bateaux: Dinner Cruise
Cruise in Chelsea
Forget trying to snag a hard-to-get reservation at New York’s hottest restaurants du jour. Instead, indulge in a delicious 3-course dinner during the cruise on an all-glass boat around New York City that offers you an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty and other famed sites. As a live pianist plays relaxing music for you, take in the immense view of one of the world’s great cities, and enjoy a delicious pre-set dinner by the on-board executive chef. Upgrade to enjoy a romantic or first class VIP experience including a private table and French sparkling wine.
-
05
Governors Island Ferry
Other Attraction in Outside of New York City
When the weather is beautiful in New York City and you want to escape for a moment from the noise, the hustle and bustle, then a trip to Governors Island is something to consider. The Governors Island Ferry will take you across the East River for $5.
Since 2021 Governors Island is open all year round!
-
06
NYC Ferry
Cruise in Financial District
For the locals, the New York Ferry or NYC Ferry is one of the most important means of transport when it comes to reliability and speed. Unfortunately, the subway is always a problem, which is why you sometimes never know exactly if it is running and if so when. Not so with the NYC Ferry – and the best? For $4.50 you can take a really great boat tour along the East River!
-
07
Circle Line - New York Landmarks Cruise
Cruise in Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
This Circle Line cruise will take you past NYC’s most famous attractions and landmarks. You will head past the Statue of Liberty, the One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, amd much much more. If you are looking to explore Manhattan from the water and learn some of the history of NYC at the same time, this is definitely the cruise for you. At a lenght of approximately 1.5 hours, this cruise will take you half way around the Island of Manhattan as well as once around the Statue of Liberty for the ultimate photo opportunity.
-
08
Architecture Cruise
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
The architecture boat tour takes you around Manhattan in 2.5 hours. On a 30 meter long wooden ship in the style of the 1920s you can relax and learn a lot of interesting facts about the many small and large buildings of the city. The tour is super-relaxing and the price includes a drink (vino, soft drinks) and small snacks.
-
09
Harbor Lights Cruise
Cruise in Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
The Harbor Lights Cruise by Cricle Line is an amazing way to see the NYC from the water. As the lights start to sparkle across the Hudson and East Rivers at dusk you see the beauty of the city at night from a whole different angle.
-
10
Sailing at Sunset
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
This sailing tour is so beautiful – I’ve done it myself! Aboard the Schooner America 2.0 you sail towards the Statue of Liberty and experience one of the most romantic sunsets in New York. The atmosphere on board is really great and relaxed, while you can admire the Manhattan skyline the whole time. Even a drink is included! Be sure to check it out!
-
11
Insider Tip: Willy Wall
Cruise in Lower ManhattanOur Highlight
The Honorable William Wall, affectionately called “Willy Wall”, is the floating clubhouse of the Manhattan Yacht Club. The clubhouse is anchored in New York Harbor north of Ellis Island from May to October. What is so special about it? It’s definitely an insider’s spot, which not only gives you a great view of Ellis Island and of course the Statue of Liberty – you can also enjoy the sunset from here.
-
12
Bateaux Lunch Cruise
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
This boat tour with lunch on board the Bateaux New York will take you from the Hudson River to the East River, which means you will see all the major buildings of the NYC skyline. And of course, the Statue of Liberty is included! Since the atmosphere on the Bateaux Lunch cruise is a bit more formal, guests are asked to wear long pants and no shorts or hot pants or flip flops.
-
13
Classic Harbor Line: Evening Jazz Cruise on the Yacht Manhattan
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
From one of our absolute favorite boat tours in New York there is also a Jazz Cruise. You are on board a luxury yacht in the style of the 1920s, which has a wonderful charm and is not to be compared with the big sightseeing ships. The jazz cruise starts at the Chelsea Piers and takes you along the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty and the harbor of New York. On the way you can enjoy a wonderful view of the New York skyline and smooth jazz at the same time.
And the best part? The first drink is included in the price of the Jazz Cruise!
-
14
Spirit: Lunch Cruise
Cruise in Chelsea
Relax on a comfortable boat as it cruises around New York Harbor and Manhattan on this relaxing 2-hour afternoon cruise that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and DJ’ed music. Get great views and a different perspective on the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building. And indulge in the delicious buffet lunch while doing it. Upgrade the afternoon to receive a welcome glass of champagne in a souvenir glass, a table for your party size, and access to a platinum open bar.
-
15
Spirit: Dinner Cruise with Buffet
Cruise in Chelsea
Get a totally different and exciting perspective on New York: from a fun dinner cruise that floats around New York Harbor and Manhattan offering stunning views of the city and some of the world’s most famous landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge to the Empire State Building. Indulge in a delicious buffet dinner and then groove to the onboard DJ’ed music being spun. Add this dinner cruise to your New York itinerary today!
-
16
Skyline Brunch Cruise Around Manhattan
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
This brunch cruise is one of the most beautiful boat tours in New York. You sit aboard a 1920s-style ship with lots of wood and even more glass. The provider has several wonderful boat tours in the program, of which we have already tried four (and all were great!).
Start at Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers – this is where you board. First you start towards the George Washington Bridge, then turn south to the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Brooklyn Bridge. You can enjoy the view of the New York skyline and have a delicious brunch with New York specialties. The first drink (even champagne!) is even included in the price.
-
17
Hudson River Fall Foliage Afternoon Sail
Cruise in ChelseaOur Highlight
If you’re looking for a relaxing boat tour where you can experience fall in New York in a very special way, check out this 3.5-hour sailing tour.
You’ll be aboard the Schooner Adirondack or Schooner America 2.0, which depart from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers. It’s a leisurely sail from here toward the George Washington Bridge and the famous “Palisades” rock formations. Your destination? The Hudson Valley!
On this autumnal sailing cruise you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors and just have a good time on board. I love sailing tours because it feels like a vacation on vacation to me. And in the fall, this one is one of my absolute favorites!
More amazing boat tours in NYC:
What is the Best Cruise in New York for you?
There are over 40 boat and sailing tours in New York and it’s not easy to choose the best one. That’s where our Cruise Finder comes in. It will help you find the best boat tour for you!
You'll also love this:
