Dinner Cruises in New York
One of our favorite New York experiences!
Relaxing on a boat, admiring the skyline of New York and all the while, enjoying various culinary delights is one of the latest trends. On this page, we present you with the best dinner cruises in New York City. Reservations should be made quickly as tickets are limited.
Overview of the Best Dinner Cruises in NYC
Being encircled by not one but two rivers, New York is a great destination for dinner cruises. Regardless of whether you have a reason to celebrate or not, a dinner cruise in NYC will guarantee an unforgettable evening, because it combines breathtaking views of the city at dawn and delicious food with a relaxing atmosphere accompanied with music.
NOTE: There are special cruises in New York for events like Valentine’s Day, the 4th of July, and New Year’s Eve.
Most Popular | Great Value | |||
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Rating & Reviews | 454 Reviews | 612 Reviews | 231 Reviews | 24 Reviews |
Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours |
Pier | Pier 61 | Pier 61 | 41st Street Marina | Pier 40 at Hudson River Park |
Price | $199 | $159 | $159 | $195 |
Food | 3-course dinner | 3-course dinner | hors d’œuvre and 4-course dinner | 3-course dinner |
Drinks | coffee, tea | coffee, tea | champagne | – |
Not included | alcoholic beverages | alcoholic beverages | alcoholic beverages | alcoholic beverages |
Departure | 7 pm | 7 pm | 7 pm | 7 pm |
Entertainment | live pianist | live DJ | ambient music | live DJ |
Details of Each New York Dinner Cruise
1. Bateaux Dinner Cruise
What makes this New York dinner cruise one of the best dinner cruises in NYC, if not at all, is the all-glass boat guaranteeing stunning views for everyone on board. Starting at the Chelsea Piers this cruise will be taking you down Hudson River, all the way to the Southern tip of Manhattan. On the way, you’ll be passing the city’s incredible skyline and some major sights like the Whitney Museum. Once arrived in Downtown Manhattan, you’ll be cruising past the One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty as the sun sets.
On board, you can expect a fabulous 3-course dinner and unlimited beverages. To top the views and the dinner, there’s a live pianist accompanying through most of the ride. VIP tables and roses are available as an upgrade, but we’d say that unless you have a special reason to celebrate, they are not necessary! Our team agrees that Bateaux offers the best dinner cruise in NYC and other travelers agree. You can read more reviews here if you’re not yet convinced!
Please note that this is an upscale New York dinner cruise that strictly enforces its dress code: cocktail wear or dresses for woman and collared shirts and jackets for man are suggested. Do not wear any jeans or t-shirts.
2. Spirit of New York
Another option to have dinner on a boat in NYC is Spirit of New York. Compared to the first two cruises, it does not offer a pre-set meal but rather a buffet, giving you plenty of meal and dessert options. The food is presented nicely and also tastes great. What we found unique about this dinner cruise is that it does not only have a live DJ on board to play the best tunes, Spirit of New York also offers interactive games to keep you entertained. The cruise will stop right in front of the Statue of Liberty for a few minutes in case you want to pose for a few photos. What else could you possibly need other than tasty food, stunning views, a lot of dancing, and fun games?
Like on most dinner cruises in NYC, there’s also a dress code for Spirit of New York: business casual.
3. World Yacht Cruise
If you are looking to spend a romantic evening, you should consider the World Yacht Cruise. It’s a popular New York dinner cruise, mainly because of the breathtaking views it offers along with the exceptional service on board. The staff made us feel like a VIP! The boat has three levels, all of which offer good views. You also have the option to enhance your experience by upgrading your reservation to include an open bar and guarantee window seating. We found that the regular reservation was already a great experience, so we wouldn’t encourage the upgrade unless you are celebrating a very special occasion. The cruise departs from Pier 81 and takes you along Manhattan’s west side. Just soak up the views and enjoy your dinner! Once returned to the pier, you are invited to stay on board for a little while longer.
4. Lights Dinner Cruise
The Lights Dinner Cruise ended up taking closer to 2 hours as opposed to 3 hours, which is why we would probably choose another cruise over this one. It doesn’t mean that it wasn’t great, however. The views from all dinner cruises in NYC are about equal. You start at Pier 40 and make your way South towards Brooklyn. The food here was top-notch and we noticed a great variety of options for vegetarians and other special diets. Should you require a special meal, add the information to your reservation during the booking process! Overall, this cruise allows for a fantastic and relaxing evening. Considering its price though, the Bateaux Dinner Cruise is our preferred option.
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