Join the millions of people who board Circle Line sightseeing boats every year, and have the time of their lives. There are a number of cruise options, and Circle Line has beverages, wine, beer, cocktails and snack foods you can purchase on board. The Circle Line leaves from Pier 83, at 42nd Street, and the phone number is (212) 563-3200.
Take the Circle Line's three-hour island cruise, which circumnavigates Manhattan Island. You'll see seven of the city's largest bridges, all five of its boroughs and 25 landmarks including the Statue of Liberty. From April 19 through September 1, the cruise leaves six times a day. The price is $29.50 adults, $17 children and $25 senior citizens.
Take the less ambitious two-hour cruise, which takes you down the Hudson, around Battery Park, up the East River to the United Nations, and back. You also get a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty on this cruise. From April 21 through September 1, this cruise leaves twice a day, at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults, $14 children, and $21 senior citizens.
"Bask in the glow of the setting sun and be dazzled by millions of glistening lights" on the Circle Line's two-hour Harbor Lights Cruise. You take the same route as the regular two-hour cruise, but this time in the evening. The city is a sight to behold from the water at night. This cruise is seasonal and runs from March through November, leaving at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults, $14 children, and $21 senior citizens.
If your sightseeing time is limited, take the Circle Line's 75-minute Liberty Cruise, where you'll see and hear about the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the World Financial Center. This cruise runs from April 26 through October 26, and runs three times a day--11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children, and $17 for senior citizens.
New York Waterway provides two specialty tours on its ferry-like boats, one that examines the architecture of New York and the other that treats you to a history lesson, thanks to partnerships with the New York Historical Society and the American Institute of New York Architects. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on-board, and these cruises leave from Pier 78, at West 38th St. and 12th Ave. Fares are $28 adults, $23 seniors, $16 children under 12, and free for children under three. Purchase tickets online or by calling (800) 533-3779.
Take the 90-minute New York Historical Society cruise, where a licensed New York City tour guide will supply you with entertaining and informative facts about the history of New York, including its waterways, the history of its waterfront development, and information about neighborhoods you'll see from the boat. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on-board. Boats leave April 1 through December 30 on Tuesdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
If you love architecture, take the American Institute of New York Architects tour, the first of its kind in New York. A licensed tour guide will provide you with architectural facts about the buildings and bridges of New York, and the Statue of Liberty. This 90-minute tour operates from April 2 through December 31, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
If you would like to cruise around Manhattan in style, a number of cruise companies exist that will provide you with nearly unlimited choices--lunch, dinner and dancing, even private charters for small and large groups. Prices can go sky-high, but most of these companies offer public cruises at reasonable prices.
Step on board the Bateaux New York, one of the most beautiful boats plying the East River these days. The European-inspired, all-glass vessel resembles the sightseeing barges that travel the Seine in Paris. You can book a number of cruises, including a two-hour lunch cruise that includes tableside service, wines and a jazz pianist. Cost is $31.90 per person. A three-hour dinner cruise, which features a three-course meal and musical entertainment, costs $96.90 per person.
Enjoy Sunday brunch aboard a New York institution--World Yacht. The company's luxury yachts, featuring two-level dining rooms, provide Sunday brunch cruises with all food prepared fresh on board. The two-hour brunch cruise costs $61.85 per person for a party of up to 14, or $59.68 per person for a party of 15 or more. From May through December, the cruise is 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. World Yacht, which also offers dinner and sightseeing cruises, departs from the World Yacht Marina at Pier 81, West 41st Street, on the Hudson. Check the website for reservation information or call (212) 630-8100, option one.
Cruise the harbor on a Marco Polo Cruise, which offers six boats, yachts and cruise boats that can accommodate anywhere from six to 350 people. Some boats include a full bar. This is not your Circle Line: A four-hour fully staffed charter on the fleet's largest yacht, which includes dinner, salad, a celebration cake, coffee and tea, is $75 per person. Check Marco Polo cruises online or by calling (212) 691-6693.
Try something dramatically different by booking a sail around Manhattan aboard the Shearwater, an 82-foot double-master schooner that offers daily public sails as well as private charters in New York's historic harbor. Sailing on the Shearwater is a seasonal luxury, since the yacht spends the winter in the Caribbean.
Choose from the Shearwater's daytime harbor sails, at $45 per person, its sunset harbor sails, at $50 per person, or its Sunday champagne brunch sails, at $75 per person. Children 12 and under sail for $25, or for $35 on the Sunday champagne brunch sail.
You can purchase drinks on board the Shearwater, and you can bring your own food aboard. The Shearwater provides an open bar option (beer, wine and soft drinks) for an additional $20, or a premium open bar option (beer, wine, soft drinks, champagne and mixed drinks) for an extra $30.
The Shearwater sails from mid-April through mid-July. Most Sunday champagne brunch sails take place from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. Harbor sails take place from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Shearwater also offers wine tasting sails, a special sail on July 4, and semi-private and private charters.
Check the Shearwater website for more information, to double-check their schedules, or call their booking agents at (212) 619-0907. The Shearwater boards at the North Cove Marina at the World Financial Center in Battery Park City. The location is bounded by Vesey Street and Liberty Street.
