The 12 Best Statue of Liberty Cruises

There are multiple ways for you to see the Statue of Liberty in New York. Our personal favorite is seeing the Statue of Liberty from the water! That’s why, in this article, we’d like to present the 12 best Statue of Liberty Cruises.

Our Favorite Statue of Liberty Cruises

First of all, let us reiterate that the only way to set foot on Liberty Island is by taking the ferry. This can be done with an appropriate ticket or within a guided tour. Any other Statue of Liberty Cruise will be cruising around the Statue of Liberty. They may make a stop on the water, but they do not stop at the island. For us, however, cruises around the Statue of Liberty are the perfect way of combining panoramic scenes of Manhattan’s skyline with a close view of the Statue of Liberty. If you do want to visit the island, be sure to be informed about all the different ticket types in advance.

There are also a bunch of private tours that are offered to explore the Statue of Liberty. Even though the reviews are excellent, we do not believe a private tour is necessary. A guided tour in a small group is just as good and much more affordable.

Should you want to climb all the way to the top, into the crown of the Statue of Liberty, you would need a different ticket. Those tickets are limited and sell out many weeks in advance, so be sure to secure your tickets.

Details about each Statue of Liberty Cruise

1. 01

   2-Hour Day Sail to Statue of Liberty on America 2.0

   Cruise in Chelsea

   Our Highlight
   

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   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. 

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2. 02

   Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (Ferry & Stop)

   Cruise in The Battery

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   Go and see one of NYC’s most famous attractions: the Statue of Liberty. Don’t miss out seeing this iconic attraction up close! You will also get to visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum which is a great educational experience for adults as well as kids.

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3. 03

   New York City Sunset Cruise: Sail Schooner Adirondack

   Cruise in Chelsea

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   The sailing trip into the sunset is definitely one of my highlights in New York and definitely one of the best cruise in New York. During this two-hour tour, the Statue of Liberty awaits you, you can have a drink and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere!

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4. 04

   Circle Line - New York Landmarks Cruise

   Cruise in Midtown Manhattan

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   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.

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5. 05

   60-Min Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sunset Cruise

   Cruise in Lower Manhattan

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   You start at the South Street Seaport right next to New York’s most famous bridge – the Brooklyn Bridge. From there, you will make a leisurely drive to the southern tip of Manhattan and you will be in the Port of New York where you can see the Statue of Liberty for the first time. On the way there you can also clearly see the new highest building in the evening skyline: the One World Trade Center.

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6. 06

   Circle Line - Harbor Lights Night Cruise

   Cruise in Midtown Manhattan

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   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.

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7. 07

   Classic Harbor Line: Architecture Yacht Cruise

   Cruise in Chelsea

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   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.

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8. 08

   Circle Line - Best of NYC Cruise

   Cruise in Midtown Manhattan

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   The Best of NYC Cruise takes you once around the whole island of Manhattan. This is a great way to explore the city from the water and see more than 25 of the top sights NYC has to offer. Because this is one of the most popular cruises make sure to book your tickets beforehand online to secure your spot.

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9. 09

   Circle Line - Liberty Cruise

   Cruise in Midtown Manhattan
   

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   If you want to see the Statue of Liberty from close by, without all the hassle of having to wait in a long line for the ferry and being one of very many toruists on Liberty Island, this is the perfect alternative. The Liberty Cruise by Circle Line is a great way to see the NYC skyline from the water, as well as get up close to the Statue of Liberty for some amazing pictures.

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10. 10

    Classic Harbor Line: Sail to the Statue of Liberty

    Cruise in Chelsea
    

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    A day sail on this 105-foot schooner is perfect for family outings, dates, and entertaining guests from out of town and locals alike. A sail on America 2.0 is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

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11. 11

    Bateaux Lunch Cruise

    Cruise in Chelsea

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    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.

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12. 12

    New York Harbor Evening Sail with Live Jazz

    Cruise in Chelsea

    Our Highlight
    

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    You will sail with the beautiful tall ship “Clipper City” from Battery Park southwards into the harbor of New York and can admire the illuminated One World Trade Center and the skyline from close range. The atmosphere on the tall ship is really very special: you are surrounded by locals, the hustle and bustle of the city is far away and you are immediately deeply relaxed.

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13. 13

    Classic Harbor Line: Sailboat Day Cruise to the Statue of Liberty

    Cruise in Chelsea
    

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    By far the best way to admire New York City’s iconic skyline is from the water. With this day cruise along the Hudson River, you can take in the most recognized cityscape in the world while relaxing on board the elegant Adirondack schooner. Sip complimentary wine, beer, and Champagne while looking out over iconic sights like the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Battery Park.

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The Complete Guide to Visiting the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, also known as Lady Liberty, is a universal symbol of freedom. She was a gift from France for the country’s 100th birthday. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel and built in...

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