There are three great ways to take in the sights of NYC: from the summits of some of the planet’s tallest skyscrapers, from the open-top deck of a Big Bus tour, or on a sightseeing cruise around the Hudson and New York Bay. Today, children, we’ll be focusing on the last of these (we cover the others amply here, here, here and, indeed, here). You can pick and choose from four different and distinct Circle Line sightseeing cruises with the New York Pass. We’ve got the lowdown on what to expect from each, including the landmarks you’ll spot, how long you’ll be on the water, and which cruise is best for families, for couples and for New York newbies. Hop aboard and let’s set sail!
Included with the New York Pass:
What exactly is a Circle Line sightseeing cruise?
What exactly is a Circle Line sightseeing cruise?
Circle Line cruises have been operating in the waters around Manhattan since 1945. They run a variety of sightseeing experiences along several different routes, each designed to capture the best of the Big Apple’s skyline, coupled with fun live narration by a seasoned local guide. Such razor focus on sublime New York sightseeing experiences of course means boats custom-designed for the purpose. Circle Line’s vessels have wraparound decks for unobstructed views and all those essential “look mom, it’s Lady Liberty” selfies. There’s also a large indoor area – heated in winter; air-conned to the hilt on hot NYC summer days – with oversized windows that mean you can take in the view whatever the weather. Cruises operate from Pier 83 in Hell's Kitchen and Pier 16 in the historic South Street Seaport and last anywhere between one and three hours.
All of the cruises on the New York Pass include dedicated time to perfect your selfie pose by the Statue of Liberty, and each delivers glimpses of several other essential landmarks – the Empire State Building, High Line, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and Brooklyn Bridge.
Sure, but what sets each cruise apart?
Sure, but what sets each cruise apart?
Glad you asked. The answer is: plenty. But, before we get deep into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick cheat sheet for each cruise…
Landmarks Cruise
Route: Midtown to the East River bridges and back.
USP: This half-island tour is a solid way to tick off the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges alongside the usual Hudson and Bay icons.
Time on board: 90 minutes.
Liberty Cruise
Route: Midtown to the Statue of Liberty and back.
USP: Hands-down the swiftest way to get up close to the Statue of Liberty from Midtown Manhattan.
Time on board: one hour.
Best of NYC Cruise
Route: A full circle of Manhattan Island from Midtown.
USP: This one puts the ‘Circle’ in ‘Circle Line’, taking you all the way around Manhattan Island and clocking some five boroughs, 20 bridges (including the mighty George Washington) and 100+ more NYC landmarks.
Time on board: 2.5 hours
Harbor Lights Cruise
Route: Midtown to the East River and back.
USP: Follows the same route as the Landmarks Cruise, but in the evening when the city starts to light up. Particularly enjoyable (if a tad on the chilly side) in full winter darkness and during the Christmas lights season.
Time on board: Two hours.
But which is best for me?
But which is best for me?
Well, only you can really know which cruise is most likely to wow your crew. But our mini Circle Line awards ceremony should help clear muddy waters and make that decision a little more straightforward. So, without further ado…
Best for New York newbies
You’ve just rolled into town and you’re looking for a whistle-stop tour of some of the Big Apple’s biggest hitters while you get your bearings. A cruise that’s not too short, not too long, and makes you feel all warm inside. A Goldilocks cruise, if you will.
Winner: At an easy, breezy 90 minutes, and ticking off the Empire State, Lady Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge along the way, the Landmarks Cruise is your perfect porridge.
Best for Manhattan’s greatest hits
Bridges? Pah! Who needs bridges? When all you need to scratch your Manhattan itch is the ESB, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and Lady Liberty, there’s one short sharp solution that’s tailor-made just for you.
Winner: Why, it’s the small-but-perfectly-formed Liberty Cruise, of course!
Best for families
Best for families
Probably depends on the size, ages and attention spans of your crew. But the Landmarks Cruise again very likely hits the sweet spot for most: just about the right length to maintain interest, and with plenty of skyline eye candy to ogle along the way. Notable mention: the Harbor Lights Cruise, especially in fully illuminated winter months, will also keep most kids entertained for its brief and very sparkly duration.
Winner: Landmarks Cruise.
Best for incurable romantics
If your favorite NYC movies include Breakfast at Tiffany’s and When Harry Met Sally, you’re sure to be a sucker for Circle Line’s sunset cruise. This couples’ favorite skims the bay just as the city lights start to twinkle and allows a leisurely two hours for all those loved-up selfies and – yes – even the occasional “she said yes!” Insta post. Just don’t fumble the ring up on deck.
Winner: Harbor Lights Cruise
Best for young kids
If you’re a parent of toddlers you’ll know as well as we do that they’re going to spend the whole of the trip running up and down the decks, cooing at passing gulls, and seeking out new and inventive ways to hurl themselves overboard. The planet’s most recognizable landmarks? Mere wallpaper to your average two-year-old. The 90-minute Landmark Cruise is our pick for giving the parents a decent overview while the little’uns wear themselves out – safely – on the decks. Who knows: they might even let you enjoy a quiet moment alone with a coffee and bagel while they sleep it off afterwards.
Winner: Landmarks Cruise.
Best for teens
Teens, with their heroically short attention spans and incurable Insta addictions will be best served by something that lets them fill their feeds with skyline eye candy for the first 30 minutes then loudly complain about how very BORED they are on the return leg.
Winner: No contest. It has to be the extraordinarily photogenic (and mercifully short) Liberty Cruise.
Best when you’re short on time
Best when you’re short on time
Pay attention at the back! Unless you’ve skimmed straight down to this section – in which case: welcome and thank you for joining us on board – you’ll already know the answer to this one.
Winner: The Liberty Cruise’s one-hour duration and rapid-fire landmark sightings make this one a no-brainer if you’re sightseeing against the clock.
Best for Insta addicts
You could easily make a case for any one of these cruises. After all, what budding influencer wouldn’t thrill to a smooth ride beneath that iconic Manhattan skyline, those swoonsome bridges and a ready-for-her-close-up Statue of Liberty? But for pure Insta gold, aim for twilight: that magical hour when the light is just right and the skyscrapers transform into great columns of liquid mercury. Bonus: in winter, with the city illuminated in all its nighttime glory (and a very steady hand) those skyline shots will look even sweeter.
Winner: Harbor Lights Cruise
Best for pairing with other NYC sightseeing
The Midtown location and convenient cruise times make Circle Line experiences easy to pair with any number of Big Apple bucket-listers. All of the cruises have departure times that allow you to free up your entire morning or afternoon – or in the case of the Harbor Lights Cruise, your entire day – to take in New York’s many other attractions. The Liberty Cruise, for example, is done and dusted by 11AM, meaning you can fit a leisurely lunch before hitting up the Empire State Building or Madame Tussauds. The Best of NYC has a 1.30PM sailing, meaning you can be up Top of The Rock in the morning, grab a bagel in Central Park at lunch, then down on the water for a relaxed afternoon circuit.
Winner: all of them.
Well, that was great fun. What now?
Well, that was great fun. What now?
So you’ve seen the sights from the water; now it’s time to take a closer look. Your New York Pass can save you fat stacks on entry to many of the city’s biggest hitters. And the more you see, the more you’ll save. We’re talking no less than the Empire State Building herself. Yes, and Lady Liberty too. Then there are other sky-high favorites like Top of The Rock, Edge and the One World Observatory, plus plenty more down-to-earth alternatives for acrophobics: Madame Tussauds, MoMA and tickets to see the New York Yankees in action, to name just a few. Hit the link to find out more and get yours.
Enjoyed this little slice of New York?
Get even better acquainted with the world of Circle Line cruises, including plenty of visitor tips and more ways to save, with our complete guide; plus an audience with veteran Circle Cruise Captain ‘Sunset’ Ken Corcoran.
With The New York Pass®, you can skip the stress and save big on Circle Line sightseeing cruises plus dozens of other must-see attractions, all with one easy-to-use pass.
