The 13 Absolute Best NYC Christmas Cruises in 2024

Are you looking for the best Christmas Cruises in New York? Then you’ve come to the right place, because I’ll show you the best dinner cruises and jazz cruises for the holiday season!

My tip: Like the New Year’s Eve cruises, you should decide quickly, because the tours are very popular and the tickets sell out quickly!

Amazing Christmas Cruises in New York 2024

In the table I have listed the TOP 5, below you will find 👉 all boat tours for the Christmas season. Are you in a hurry? These are 👉 my personal recommendations.

Here you can compare each of the holiday cruises:

My tip
Also great

Rating

Rating

N/A

N/A

Duration

Duration

2 - 3 hours

1,5 hours

1,5 hours

2-2.5 hours

1,5 hours

2 hours

2 - 3 hours

2,75 hours

2 - 2.5 hours

1,5 hours

1,5 hours

2,75 hours

Pier

Pier

Pier 61

Pier 62

Pier 62

Pier 61

Pier 62

Pier 36

Pier 61

Pier 62

Pier 61

Pier 62

Pier 62

Pier 62

When?

When?

Day
Sunset or
Evening

Day and

Evening

Day

Day or

Evening

Day
Sunset or
Evening

Day

Day
Sunset or
Evening

Day

Day or

Evening

Evening

Sunset

Day

Food

Food

Drinks

Drinks

Coffee, Tea, Iced tea

One complimentary drink incl.

One complimentary drink incl.

Coffee, Tea & Softdrinks

(+ Mimosas for Brunch)

One complimentary drink incl.

1 glass of wine (adults)

unlimited hot chocolate, tea, or coffee (with premium admission)

Unlimited mimosas (with brunch option), Coffee, Tea, Iced tea

One complimentary drink incl.

Unlimited Coffee, tea, and iced tea

alcoholic drinks can be purchased

One complimentary drink incl.

One complimentary drink incl.

One complimentary drink incl.

Music

Music

Vessel

Vessel

Bateaux

Manhattan
II
Manhattan or Manhattan II

Spirit of New York

Manhattan

N/A

Bateaux

Manhattan or Manhattan II
Spirit of New York
Manhattan or Manhattan II
Manhattan or Manhattan II
Manhattan or Manhattan II

Price

Price

from $152

from $128

from $68

from $145

from $123

Kids from $69
Adults from $89

from $152

from $164

from $145

$86 - $96
$86 - $96

$124 - $142

My recommendations

Steffen Kneist Loving New York
My Recommendation

What is the best holiday cruise?

There are actually three cruises that I can highly recommend. I did all of them and I loved it! It is the amazing Bateaux Dinner Cruise and the amazing Cocoa Holiday Cruise. You are aboard a beautiful yacht, the atmosphere is amazing and you can enjoy stunning views of the skyline of New York!

Our Video: The New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise

This Cruise during Christmas Time in NYC is just awesome. Check out our video and you can see why we love this cruise!

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All 13 Christmas Cruises NYC in detail

Want to know a little bit more about the Christmas Cruises in New York? I got you covered:

  1. 01

    Christmas Eve Gourmet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

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    NYC New 4th of July Dinner Cruise
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    If you want to celebrate a truly beautiful New Year’s Eve in New York on a boat cruise with dinner, there’s no way around our beloved NYC New Year’s Eve Luxury Bateaux Dinner Cruise. 

    There are two things at once that make this New Year’s Eve boat cruise special: first and foremost, of course, the ship itself. Its large windows give you a sensational view of the New York skyline. And in addition to that, the atmosphere on board is very nice: elegant, classy and yet relaxed. 

    You can expect a first-class dinner menu, the bar is very well equipped and the bartenders are very attentive and helpful. On time for the countdown, best with a glass of champagne in hand, you start into the New Year 2024 in New York. It doesn’t get any better than this!

    We have done many of the Bateaux boat tours ourselves and have never been disappointed. Therefore, the NYC New Year’s Eve Luxury Bateaux Dinner Cruise is my absolute recommendation for you!

  2. 02

    Classic Harbor Line: Manhattan Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

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    Best Christmas Dinner Cruises NYC
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    Why not spending time on a Christmas Holiday Cruise during Christmas in New York? Both locals and NYC visitors love the amazing Christmas Cruises New York City has to offer.

    My favorite holiday cruise is the New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise. The Jazz Band on board is fun and so talented which makes the New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise even more entertaining. Relax in the heated main observation cabin, join in the caroling, and admire the city through the glassed-in observatory on the 1920s style yacht.

  3. 03

    Bateaux Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

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    Bateaux Christmas Day Dinner Cruise NYC
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    On Christmas Day (December 25) there are several cruises with the Bateaux available: you can choose between the Christmas Eve Gourmet Lunch Cruise and the Christmas Eve Dinner Harbor Cruise. 

    The Lunch Cruise lasts 2 hours, the Dinner Cruise 3 hours. You can expect a 3-course Christmas menu, impressive views of the New York skyline and a festive ambience.

  4. 04

    City Cruises: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

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    Come aboard the Spirit of New York for a Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise in the harbor of New York. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll cruise past landmarks for 2 or 2.5 hours. Soft drinks, coffee and tea are included, and with the brunch option you’ll also get unlimited mimosas. The food is served buffet style.

  5. 05

    Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

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    Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise
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    On board the Spirit of New York you can enjoy a wonderful Christmas boat tour with live DJ. You can choose between a Brunch Cruise (2 hours) or a Dinner Cruise (2.5 hours).  The tour takes you from Pier 61 to the Statue of Liberty, through the port of Hamburg to the Brooklyn Bridge – just great!

    My tip: if you’re looking for a Christmas dinner cruise, check out this one and the Bateaux Christmas Cruise (my #1) – both are really worth it!

  6. 06

    Classic Harbor Line: Manhattan Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols (Statue & Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise)

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    Make yourself comfortable on the old yacht from the 1920s and get into the Christmas mood during the Cocoa & Carols Holiday Cruise. This boat tour at Christmas time is one of my absolute favourites. It starts from Pier 62 (Chelsea Piers) on a beautifully decorated yacht. On the way through New York Harbor and the Hudson River, breathtaking views of the New York skyline, the One World Trade Center, Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and of course the Statue of Liberty are guaranteed.

  7. 07

    Classic Harbor Line: Holiday Brunch Cruise aboard Yacht Northern Lights

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    Boat Tour
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    Experience a delightful NYC Holiday Brunch Cruise aboard the Northern Lights yacht, adorned with festive decorations, for a 2-hour scenic voyage. While enjoying a generous brunch buffet featuring local NYC delicacies, you’ll have sweeping views of Lower Manhattan’s iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Comfortable seating, large windows, and indoor or outdoor options enhance your experience. Each adult ticket includes a complimentary beverage, and you can upgrade with the Mimosa Bucket for added merriment. Revel in the holiday spirit with family and friends as you savor the sights and flavors of NYC during this special cruise.

  8. 08

    Classic Harbor Line: New York City Lights Holiday Cocoa Cruise

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    Get into the holiday spirit on a daytime sightseeing cruise aboard a festively decorated 1920s-style yacht. Enjoy light narration by your captain as you cruise past New York’s iconic landmarks. For me, the tours from Classic Harbor Line are some of the best in NYC!

  9. 09

    Classic Harbor Line: Sunset & Holiday Cocoa Cruise

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    If you’re on a very special boat tour this holiday season, you’ll want to take a closer look at the Sunset & Holiday Cocoa Cruise. You will experience the sunset in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. For me, it is one of the absolute most beautiful tours you can do!

  10. 10

    Santa Fun Cruise with Kids Activities

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    Santa Fun Cruise
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    Celebrate the wonderful holiday season with the Santa Fun Cruise in New York City! Soak up the festive atmosphere as kids meet Santa and his hardworking elves and participate in fun activities and creative craft projects. From singing Christmas carols together to assembling your own gingerbread house, there’s plenty of fun for the little ones as the whole family enjoys a cruise through New York Harbor. Have spectacular views along the way and treat yourself and your loved ones to delicious treats as you celebrate the festive season together. Get your tickets for the Santa Fun Cruise with great kids’ activities in NYC!

  11. 11

    Weekend Holiday Brunch Cruise

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    Weekend Holiday Brunch Cruise
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    This tour is my tip for a lovely brunch cruise in NYC during the holiday season. You will be on board one of the most beautiful yachts in the style of the 1920s in NYC. The boat tour takes you around the island of Manhattan, so you can see all the major attractions. The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and definitely worth the price!

  12. 12

    Skyline Brunch Cruise Around Manhattan

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    Skyline Brunch Cruise Around Manhattan
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    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.

  13. 13

    Classic Harbor Line: Holiday Jazz Cruise Aboard Classic Motor Yacht

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    Holiday Jazz Cruise Aboard Classic Motor Yacht
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    This Holiday Jazz Cruise aboard a 1920’s style luxury yacht is one of my absolute favorite tours in New York. The ship has a wonderful charm and cannot be compared to the big sightseeing ships. Holiday 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.

 

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!

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