More about: New York cruises and boat tours
At some point during your trip, you'll miss a bit of relaxation after hours of walking and sightseeing around New York. A cruise on the Hudson is a great way to unwind while admiring the best views of the city.
There are a variety of cruises, each with a different duration or itinerary. I've selected the ones I've 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 while enjoying Manhattan's best skyline. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the most iconic skyscrapers from the Hudson won't 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, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge from the water.
Choose the time, morning or afternoon, to embark at the port in the Midtown area accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you interesting facts and juicy anecdotes about the city. The ship also has an open-air deck, so you can go outside (weather permitting) to take photos and enjoy the views. If you take the cruise in winter, wrap up warm and don't miss out on spending some time on deck.
Why I like this option: without having to invest a lot of time and money you'll be able to enjoy the main sights of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Recommended if... you feel like disconnecting for a while from the long walks and swapping 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, which will allow you to see the illuminated Manhattan skyline from the sea and discover another side of the Big Apple. Especially if you've previously climbed one of the city's skyscrapers to admire it from above.
With the Circle Line's New York City Night Cruise, you can take an extended tour around the island of Manhattan and learn more about the history of the city from a guide while you admire the wonderful views of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge from the sea.
With this New York cruise, the only one that completely circles the entire island of Manhattan, you'll depart from Pier 83 at 7pm to discover all the secrets of the Big Apple's five boroughs as you cruise the city's three rivers (Hudson, East and Harlem), glide under its iconic bridges and gaze at 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 extra, you can enjoy a night tour to see New York's buildings lit up.
Recommended if... you want to make the most of the experience and think that the one-hour cruise might not be enough.
Compare the 2 Hudson River Cruise Options
From Midtown to the Brooklyn Bridge, by ferry
Perfect if you feel like relaxing for a while while enjoying the best Manhattan skyline. Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and the most iconic skyscrapers from the Hudson won't 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. An unforgettable experience.
Learn about New York City cruises that include dinner
If taking a cruise on the Hudson is a pleasure that allows you to relax while enjoying the most spectacular views of Manhattan, embarking on a cruise that also includes dinner, hors d'oeuvres 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 affects the price. But don't worry, there's an option for every budget and every taste, so you're sure to find yours.
All this while you cruise down the Hudson and watch the lights of the Manhattan skyline come on. This is 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 Hudson River cruises can vary depending on their duration, itinerary and the type of boat on which you do it: the cheapest start from 30 € in Hellotickets, if you want to do a daytime cruise like the Circle Line to the Statue of Liberty and the most premium can reach up to 140 €, if you are looking for a complete tour on a luxury boat with gourmet dinner.
The most premium ones tend to depart at sunset or dusk, so you can enjoy the sunset and the lighting of the lights. If you have the budget, a more VIP boat trip, with dinner included and live music to liven up the tour, will undoubtedly be a very special and unforgettable evening.
If you prefer to enjoy a sunset experience on the Hudson River without compromising on price, you can always book a night cruise through Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty. You'll enjoy the views and cross some of the most iconic bridges. Either way, it's worth embarking on one of the many cruises available in the city. Here is a selection for you to choose from to suit your interests:
- Cruise with buffet dinner on the Hudson River in New York, from AED 460.
- New York Hudson River Sunset Cruise, from AED 365.
- Circle Line daytime cruise through Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty, from AED 134.
- Circle Line evening cruise through Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty, from AED 198.
- Manhattan Architecture Cruise, from AED 474.
- Express cruise to the Statue of Liberty, from AED 109.
- Ferry cruise to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, from AED 221.
- New York City tour with cruise and bus tour, from AED 383.
- Sailboat cruise to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, from AED 222.
- Sightseeing cruise around the Statue of Liberty, from AED 105.
- Sightseeing cruise around New York, from AED 176.
- Circle Line cruise to the Statue of Liberty, from AED 146.
- New York Christmas cruise with chocolate and carols, from AED 457.
- New York Sunset Jazz Cruise, from AED 435.
- New York sightseeing bus with cruise to the Statue of Liberty, from AED 367.
How long are Manhattan cruises?
The length of a Hudson River cruise depends on the tour you book, but they can be express, lasting an hour, or longer, lasting up to 3 hours. Some are limited to the southern part of Manhattan, where you'll have spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Financial District skyline.
Others go further and take you to Ellis Island or Liberty Island so you can get a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty while you get a little further away from Manhattan Island and see the grandeur of the skyline from afar.
My recommendation is that before you book an itinerary, check the type of boat, the itinerary and the highlights you'll find on the route. Either way, get your camera ready because you're going to 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.
When is the best time of day to take a Manhattan cruise?
Any time of day is a good time, but a sunset cruise on New York's Hudson River is definitely the best time to see the best colours and unforgettable views. Throughout the year, the departure time of the cruises is adapted to the time of sunset so that you can board in time to enjoy the last moments of light.
Gradually the sky will turn pink and orange, giving way to the New York night and the lighting of the skyscrapers and bridges. The night-time 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 of the day, especially if the day is clear: it will give you a super clear 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 Hudson River cruise
Taking a cruise in New York is a good idea, but since you're embarking on this experience, it's best to follow these basic tips for enjoying a cruise on the Hudson- take note!
- Book in advance to make sure you get 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, check your tickets in advance.
- Check what type of boat 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? Read the description carefully before choosing the one that best suits you.
- Organise your day well to be on time: bear in mind that the boat waits for no one and being on time is important. Arrive in good time and take the opportunity to discover the area before or after the boat trip.
- Don't worry too much about the 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 including dinner, avoid the "tourist look", shorts and flip-flops.
All you need to know about New York cruises
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Booking tickets in advance is important: Regardless of the type of cruise you choose, in order to secure your place at the time and date you want, it is best to book your Hudson River cruise in advance Once you have done so, you will receive a voucher via e-mail which you will need to present at the designated meeting point for boarding.
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The meeting point: The most common is to set sail from one of New York's piers. When you buy 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 will be easy to get to.
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About guides and commentary: Most cruises include live commentary in English with a guide to help you learn more about the sights. But for those who don't understand the language, some tours offer narration of the activity in other languages. To listen to it in your own language, download a free app and follow the directions provided on the booking - it's that simple!
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Photos and videos: You can take as many photos and videos as you like. 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 shots of the Manhattan skyline. If you also like architecture and want to understand a little more about what you're seeing as you pass by, this Manhattan architecture cruise is the best option.
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Wifi on board: Some of these New York cruises include Wifi on board, so you can immediately upload your pictures to your social networks and show off your trip.
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First come, first served: Seating on this cruise is on a first come, first served basis. Get 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 boats on the Hudson and as it's a very popular activity, it's difficult to find discounts or special prices. But if you are looking for a way to save on your sailing, I recommend that you consider using the New York ferry. The ferry, being a public transport service, is much more affordable than the tourist boats.
You can cross from one pier to another or even from one side of the river to the other for the lowest price and 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 boating in New York.
Another way to take advantage of a special price or cruise in a very convenient way is with one of the city's sightseeing 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 New York City cruise. More on that later.
Do New York City Sightseeing Cards include New York City cruises?
To make the most of your visit to New York you can buy a sightseeing card that will give you access to the main tourist attractions saving you money and time, as most of these attractions have a special queue for pass holders.
The difference between passes is the duration of the pass and the number of attractions you have access to. Finding the right 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 New York sightseeing passes so you can find the one that suits you best and clear your doubts.
If you're thinking of taking a boat tour of the city, the tourist passes 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.
- Round trip ferry tour to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Why is a New York City cruise worthwhile?
One of the great things about booking a Hudson River cruise is that it gives you a bird's eye view of the city while allowing you to see the sights from a different perspective - from the sea. 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 birthday as a couple in a very original way, as some have a bar on board where you can order a few drinks to toast to a special moment.
And if you're visiting the city with your family, taking a Hudson River cruise with the kids is a fun and comfortable way for them to do some sightseeing without getting too exhausted - they'll love getting on a boat!
Check out the best options for cruising the Hudson if you're an adrenaline junkie
New York's Hudson doesn't just host calm and relaxing cruises for New Yorkers and tourists. Its waters are also home to speedboat and zodiac rides.
If you're an adrenaline junkie and feel like doing something different, don't hesitate to join this zodiac ride on New York's Hudson
If you're interested in a cruise around New York you might also like
A boat tour of New York is a comfortable and relaxing way to see and learn about the city, but it's not the only way to do it. There are other ways to explore the Big Apple:
- The first option is guided walking tours of New York: Walking around the city is a very special way to approach the city as 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 sightseeing bus: A very practical idea as it allows you to discover the most important areas of New York quickly and comfortably while you travel. You can find out more about this option in this guide to the best sightseeing buses in New York. From the boat, there may be some monuments that you can't see clearly, but this small obstacle is easily solved with a tour bus route.