Best Manhattan Cruises
The best way to enjoy the views of the Manhattan Skyline is to embark on a cruise on the Hudson, either by day or night, by ferry or even by sailboat. I tell you all the options.
Views of southern Manhattan from the cruise ship | ©Hellotickets
At some point in your trip you will miss some time to relax after hours and hours of walking and sightseeing around the city. A cruise on the Hudson is a good way to rest while still exploring the best sights of the city.
There are many cruises that are organized on the waters of New York, each with a different duration or itinerary. I have selected the ones that I have found to be the best options:
NYC Manhattan Circle Line Cruise around Statue of Liberty by day
From Midtown to the Brooklyn Bridge, by boat
Perfect if you feel like relaxing for a while while enjoying the best skyline of Manhattan. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the most symbolic skyscrapers from the Hudson will not leave you indifferent.
A one-hour boat ride around Manhattan is a quick and very comfortable way to enjoy the best views of the New York skyline. With this cruise you can see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty or the Brooklyn Bridge from the water.
Choose the time, morning or afternoon, to embark at the port of Midtown area accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you curiosities and juicy anecdotes about the city.
In addition, this ship has an open-air deck, so you can go outdoors (weather permitting) to take pictures and enjoy the views. If you take the cruise in winter, wrap up warm and don't give up spending some time on deck.
Why I like this option: without having to invest a lot of time and money you will be able to enjoy the main points of interest of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Recommended if... you feel like disconnecting for a while from the long walks and change the asphalt for the water of the Hudson. You won't regret it!
NYC Manhattan Circle Line Cruise around Statue of Liberty by night
The most complete night cruise around Manhattan Island
If you don't mind spending a little more, you can enjoy an extra hour of sailing and admire the illuminated Manhattan skyline.
A more complete way to spend the night in New York is to take a two-hour cruise on the Hudson River, as it will allow you to contemplate the illuminated skyline of Manhattan from the sea and discover another side of the Big Apple. Especially if you have previously climbed to one of the viewpoints in the skyscrapers of the city to admire it from above.
With this night boat tour of New York by the Circle Line company you can make an extended tour around the island of Manhattan and learn from the hand of a guide about the history of the city while contemplating the wonderful views of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building or the Brooklyn Bridge from the sea.
With this New York cruise, the only one that completely surrounds the entire island of Manhattan, you will depart from Pier 83 at 7PM to discover all the secrets of the five boroughs of the Big Apple while sailing along the three rivers of the city (Hudson, East and Harlem), glide under its iconic bridges and contemplate the Manhattan skyline. Amazing views that will become an unforgettable memory of your trip to the United States.
Why I like this option: for very little more, you can enjoy a night tour to see New York's buildings illuminated.
Recommended if... you want to make the most of the experience and think that the one-hour cruise might not be enough.
We compare the 2 options
From Midtown to the Brooklyn Bridge, by ferry
Perfect if you feel like relaxing for a while while enjoying the best skyline of Manhattan. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the most symbolic skyscrapers from the Hudson will not leave you indifferent.
The most complete night cruise around Manhattan Island
If you don't mind spending a little more, you can enjoy an extra hour of sailing and admire the illuminated Manhattan skyline.
New York cruises that include dinner
If taking a Manhattan cruise is a pleasure that will allow you to relax while enjoying the most spectacular views of this New York island, embarking on a cruise that also includes dinner, appetizers or live music is taking the experience to the next level.
There are different options to choose from: some offer a buffet dinner, others serve a more gourmet multi-course dinner and the size or type of boat also influences the price. But don't worry because there is an option for every pocket and for every taste, so you are sure to find yours.
All this, while you sail the Hudson and watch the lights of the Manhattan skyline come on. A highly recommended experience that you can choose to spend your last evening in New York and say goodbye to the city in style.
How much does it cost to take a Manhattan cruise?
The price of the Hudson River cruises in New York can vary depending on their duration, itinerary and the type of boat in which you do it: the cheapest start from 30 € in Hellotickets, if you want to do a day cruise as the Circle Line to the Statue of Liberty and the most premium can reach up to 140 €, if you are looking for a full luxury boat tour with gourmet dinner.
The most premium ones usually depart at sunset or in the evening, so you can enjoy the sunset and the lighting of the city lights. If you have the budget, take a more VIP boat ride, with dinner included and live music enlivening the tour, the evening will undoubtedly be very special and unforgettable.
If you prefer to enjoy a night experience on the Hudson River without giving up a very tight price, you can always do a Circle Line Night Cruise through Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty. You'll enjoy the views and cross some of the most iconic bridges over the water while taking a break from long walks around the city. Either way, it's worth embarking on one of the many cruises available in the city.
How long do Manhattan cruises last?
The duration of the Hudson River cruises depends on the tour you book, but they can be express, lasting one hour, or longer, up to 3 hours. Some are limited to the southern part of Manhattan, where you will have spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline of the Financial District.
Others go further and take you to Ellis Island or Liberty Island so you can see the Statue of Liberty up close while you get a little away from the island of Manhattan and you can observe from afar the grandeur of its skyline.
My recommendation is that before you book an itinerary, check the type of boat, the itinerary and the highlights that you will find on your way along the route. Either way, get your camera ready because you will want to capture it all! Here's a list of what you'll see on a Hudson River cruise depending on the itinerary and duration.
What is the best time of day to take a Manhattan cruise?
Any time of the day is good, but a sunset cruise on the Hudson River in New York is definitely the one that will leave you with the best colors and unforgettable views. Throughout the year the departure time of the cruises is adapted to the time of sunset so you can embark in time to enjoy the last moments of light in New York.
Gradually the sky will turn pink and orange, to give way to the New York night and the lighting of all the lights of the skyscrapers and bridges. The night atmosphere on the Hudson is very special and romantic, especially if you go on board one of the boats that includes dinner and live music.
Another good time to enjoy a Manhattan cruise is in the middle hours, especially if the day is clear: it will allow us to have a super clear and sharp view of all the buildings, it will be easier to identify the main attractions of Manhattan and the photos will be spectacular.
Tips for a cruise on the Hudson
Taking a cruise in New York is definitely a good idea, but since you are about to embark on this experience, it is best to follow these basic tips to enjoy a cruise on the Hudson. Take note!
- Book in advance to make sure you find a place on the day and time you want to sail. Some itineraries are in high demand and if you don't want to be stranded, get your tickets checked in advance.
- Check what type of vessel you will be sailingon and what is included in the price: are you booking a dinner cruise, is it a buffet dinner, or a gourmet dinner served at the table, what is the itinerary, how long is the trip, how long is the trip? Read the description carefully before choosing the one that best suits you.
- Organize your day well to be on time: keep in mind that the ship waits for no one and being on time is important. Arrive on time and take the opportunity to discover the area before or after the boat ride.
- Don't worry too much about dress code: unless you are going on one of the more special cruises (with dinner and live music), the dress code is casual or informal. However, for more premium evening cruises with dinner included, avoid the "tourist look", shorts and flip-flops.
All you need to know about New York cruises
Booking tickets in advance is important
Regardless of the type of New York cruise you choose, in order to secure your place at the time and date you want, it is best to book your tickets online in advance. Once you do so, you will receive a voucher via e-mail that you will need to present at the meeting point indicated for boarding.
The meeting point
The most common is to set sail from one of the docks in New York. When you purchase your tickets for the Manhattan boat tour, you will be told which one your boat departs from, but they are all centrally located in the city and it will be easy for you to get there.
About the guides and reviews
Most New York cruises include live commentary in English with a guide to help you learn more about the sights included on the tour. But for those who don't understand the language, some boat tours offer narration of the activity in other languages as well. To listen to it in your language, you need to download a free app and follow the instructions provided on the voucher. It's that simple!
Photos and videos
During the boat trip you will be able to take as many pictures and videos as you want. If possible, stand next to the water to get a better angle and if you have a zoom lens, take advantage of it to get the best images of the Manhattan skyline. If you also like architecture and want to understand a little more what you are seeing as you pass by, this Manhattan Architecture Cruise is the best option.
Some of these New York cruises include Wifi on board so you can immediately upload them to your social networks and show off your trip.
Isabel's traveller tip
Seats on this New York cruise are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Go to the pier 45 minutes early to board quietly and get the best seat.
Are there free or discounted cruises in New York?
No, there are no free access boats on the Hudson and since it is a very popular activity, it is quite difficult to find discounts or special prices. But if you are looking for a way to save on your Hudson sailing, I recommend that you value the option of using the New York ferry. The ferry, being a public transportation service, is much more affordable than the tourist boats.
You will be able to cross from one pier to another or even from one side of the river to the other for the minimum price and you will still enjoy the views of Manhattan from the water. Of course, the experience won't be as exclusive, but at least you won't have to give up sailing in New York.
Another way to take advantage of a special price or make a cruise quite convenient is with one of the city' s tourist cards. In case you have a New York Pass or even a ticket for the New York sightseeing bus, they may include a free pass for a cruise around the city. More on that later.
Tourist Cards that include a cruise
To make the most of your visit to New York you can buy a tourist card that will give you access to its main tourist attractions saving money and time, as most of these places of interest have a special queue for the holders of these passes.
The difference between passes is given by their duration and the number of attractions to which you have access. Finding the ideal pass for you depends on the type of trip you are going to make in the Big Apple. We advise you to take a look at our post about tourist passes in New York so you can find the one that suits you best and clear your doubts.
If you are thinking of taking a boat ride around the city, the tourist cards that include this activity are:
New York City Explorer Pass
The New York City Explorer Pass includes:
- Pass for the Circle Line boats
- Access to the New York Water Taxi
New York Pass
This New York Pass includes:
- Circle Line Boat Pass
- Access to the New York Water Taxi
New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass includes:
- Free hop-on, hop-off cruise
- Roundtrip ferry tour to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Why a New York City cruise is worthwhile
One of the great advantages of doing this kind of boat tours in New York, in my opinion, is that they offer an overview of the city while allowing us to observe its monuments from a different perspective, the maritime one. Especially if you have already had the opportunity to contemplate the skyline of the Big Apple from the heights, in one of the fantastic viewpoints that certain skyscrapers have.
In addition, these cruises in New York are a perfect occasion to celebrate an anniversary or a birthday in a very original way, as some have a bar on board where you can order a few drinks with which to toast a special moment.
And in case you are visiting the city with your family, taking a cruise on the Hudson with children is a very comfortable and fun way of sightseeing for them without exhausting them too much, they will love to get on a boat!
The best options for cruising the Hudson if you're an adrenaline lover
New York's Hudson doesn't just host calm and relaxing cruises for New Yorkers and tourists. Its waters also welcome speedboat and zodiac rides.
If you are an adrenaline lover and feel like doing something different, don't hesitate to join this zodiac ride on the Hudson in New York.
If you are interested in a cruise in New York you will also like
A boat ride in New York is a comfortable and quiet way to see the city and learn about it but it is not the only one. There are more alternatives to explore the Big Apple:
The first option is guided walking tours through different areas of the city. Walking around the city is a very special way to get to know it and get to know it because you can pay attention to details that would otherwise go unnoticed. Here is a list of the best ones: 13 best New York City Tours.
The second is the tourist bus, a very practical idea as it allows you to discover the most important areas of New York in a quick way while you travel comfortably seated. You can learn more about this option in this guide on The best tourist buses in New York.
From the boat there may be some monuments that are not clearly visible but that small obstacle is easily solved with a tour bus route. If you have never taken one during your travels, from experience I advise you to value this option to complete your visit to the city.