Jazz Cruise with Classic Harbor Line: The Ultimate Guide 2024

Tickets, Tipps and my personal experience

Add this and other places to your personal travel plan. We will then help you with further suitable suggestions: free of charge and straightaway!

Add to myNY added
More details about myNY

As I have already mentioned several times, New York and jazz belong together for me. Therefore, I have now tested all boat tours in New York, where you can enjoy live jazz. After the sailing tour with live jazz, I now had to take the Jazz Cruise of Classic Harbor Line.

In this article, I’m going to tell you what to expect on this wonderful cruise, what you’ll see, and why you should definitely check it out! I can already tell you that this is one of my favorite cruises in New York City. Have fun!

Ticket information

Regular ticket buy
See ticket

Route and highlights of the Jazz Cruise aboard the Manhattan

Like the other Classic Harbor Line tours, the cruise starts aboard a beautiful ship – in this case the Manhattan. What you will immediately notice is that it is very different from other “normal” boats. It is modeled in the style of yachts from the 1920s with lots of wood, it is much smaller and that alone makes the atmosphere very special.

The tour starts at Chelsea Piers. As soon as you enter the ship you hear the band playing, so with jazz in your ears and the skyline in view you will surely get goose bumps for the first time. You will be assigned to your seat, which you cannot leave for safety reasons until the Manhattan enters the Hudson River.

The 90-minute ride takes you from here to the Statue of Liberty, through the harbor, and then back to Pier 62. Immediately after setting sail, you have a sensational view of the famous New York skyline, starting with the Hudson Yards with The Edge observation deck, to the new Summit One Vanderbilt, to the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. It’s a view I can never get enough of. You drive past Little Island and you can already admire the One World Trade Center at the southern tip of Manhattan.

When you pass my beloved Grand Banks, it’s not long before you reach the illuminated conservatory of Brookfield Place and the famous Colgate Clock on the other side of the Hudson River.

A real highlight is the illuminated Lower Manhattan with the One World Trade Center – shortly after you are already at the Statue of Liberty. It is especially impressive in the dark – and meanwhile you can hear the jazz band playing all the time. Honestly, it doesn’t get any better than this!

What is the difference between the Jazz Cruise and the Jazz Sail?

With the Jazz Cruise, you’ll be on board a ship with indoor and outdoor areas – with the Jazz Sail, you’ll do the tour on a sailing ship. In addition, the Jazz Cruise is available all year round, while the sailing tour can only be booked from the end of April to the beginning of October. However, the routes of both boat tours are identical.

Impressions of the Jazz Cruise

Duration and Tickets

The cruise usually departs in the evening at 7 p.m. – varying slightly with the date of travel. It takes place a maximum of three times a week, so tickets are often sold out quickly. The price per person is $109 and includes a drink.

TICKETS

Steffen Kneist Loving New York

Is the live jazz cruise worth it?

The combination of a relaxed crew, the special atmosphere on board and of course the band is unbeatable. Plus you get to see the night skyline and the reflection of the lights on the water – so my answer is YES!

Tickets

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

Did you like this article?