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Circle Line Cruises

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Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise

Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

Circle Line: New York City Landmarks Cruise

Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise

Circle Line: NYC Beast Speedboat Ride

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Circle Line Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Experience the only sightseeing cruise in New York City that completely circumnavigates the island of Manhattan.

You’ll cruise along all three NYC rivers, pass under 20 bridges and see over 130 of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the full Manhattan skyline, the impressive One World Trade Center, the growing Brooklyn waterfront, the legendary Yankee Stadium, beautiful Gracie Mansion, the stately George Washington Bridge and, of course, an up close look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

All from the comfort of our state-of-the-art boats.

Our world-famous tour guides tell the story of New York City as you journey around the full island and enjoy the best sightseeing experience NYC has to offer!

Circle Line Best of NY Cruise (2.5 Hours)

Pier 83. West 42nd Street and 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States

Departures daily at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm

Present your e-ticket at our ticket kiosk to pick up your tickets and proceed to the boarding queue.

Circle Line now offers a mobile translation app available in both iTunes (Apple) and Google Play stores. The app is called "Circle Line Sightseeing" and it is free to download and use. This app will provide non-English speaking guests with a guided tour experience for the Best of NY Cruise. Current languages include Spanish, French, and Portuguese. They will be adding German, Italian, and Chinese later this summer.

Please note if you need to modify your reserved time and date reach out to the call center at 1-212-445-0848

Please note that outside food and beverages on board the boat are strictly prohibited. Concession is available on board for food and drinks.

Copyright © The Sightseeing Pass / City Sights 2024

Circle Line Best of NYC Cruise Review

Cross under 20 bridges and see all five boroughs of New York City

Godsfriendchuck/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0

Since 1945, Circle Line has shown visitors New York City from the city's major waterways. The three-hour Full Island Cruise offers visitors a chance to circumnavigate the entire island of Manhattan, and see many of New York City's popular attractions , including the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island , South Street Seaport and the Empire State Building .

About Circle Line's Best of NYC Cruise

Circling Manhattan on the Full Island Cruise is a great way to get an overview of the layout of Manhattan and New York City. It's no wonder that over 60 million passengers have ridden on Circle Line's various cruises -- they offer a unique and manageable way to get an overview of New York City's many attractions.

Throughout the three-hour cruise, a tour guide narrates through the boat's speaker system, pointing out important landmarks, sharing trivia and highlighting some of the history of New York City. The trip includes a closeup pass of the Statue of Liberty -- perfect for picture taking, and for many visitors on a short visit this is a great opportunity to view the popular attraction as part of a larger tour. Seeing downtown Manhattan from the water is truly remarkable, as is discovering the northern reaches of Manhattan, which are surprisingly lush and green.

Three-hours is a bit on the long side to be on the boat -- though there is plenty of space for walking about, children might be happier on the shorter 2-hour semi-circle cruise.

Attractions Featured on Circle Line's Best of NYC Cruise

• Jacob Javits Center
• World Financial Center
• Battery Park
• Ellis Island
• Statue of Liberty
• Wall Street
• South Street Seaport
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Empire State Building
• Chrysler Building
• United Nations
• Roosevelt Island
• Gracie Mansion
• Yankee Stadium
• Palisades of New Jersey
• George Washington Bridge
• Grant's Tomb
• Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument
• Passenger Ship Terminal
• The Intrepid

Essential Information about the Circle Line's Best of NYC Cruise

• The sightseeing cruise leaves from Pier 83 between 42nd and 43rd Streets at 12th Avenue
• Mass Transit to Circle Line Pier : A/C/E, 1/2/3, N/R/Q, 7 or S to 42nd St./Times Square - change to the M42 or M50 Bus running along 42nd Street which will take you to the 42nd Street Pier
• Circle Line's Full Island Cruise is available with The New York Pass and CityPass for a $5 upgrade.
• Circle Line Payment : Cash and Major Credit Cards
• Circle Line's Full Island Cruise Schedule - cruises are offered daily throughout the year, with more options during the summer and just a single sailing during the colder winter months
• During peak times tickets sell out, especially if you have your heart set on a particular cruise, so plan to arrive early to buy your tickets or be flexible about the cruise you go on.
• The ship is not designed to accommodate handicapped people -- there are narrow stairs down to the bathrooms, etc., but the crew will do what they can to accommodate you.

Helpful Tips for Circle Line's Full Island Cruise

• Concessions, including beer and wine, are available on board, but you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. The souvenir mug with free refills of soda is a good value.
• They begin boarding the boat about 30 minutes before departure -- you'll want to arrive in time to buy your tickets (which could take 15 minutes, especially on weekends and school breaks) to be near the front of the line. The most desirable seats are along the left-hand side of the boat, as that is the side closest to Manhattan throughout the ride.
• Wear sunscreen if you plan to sit outside or stand at the bow of the boat -- despite the breeze, you can get quite a bit of sun.
• After the cruise departs, they open up the bow of the boat for standing room only -- it's worth checking out the view from there, despite the crowds.
• Bathrooms on board tend to be cleanest early in the trip -- plan accordingly.
• You can book tickets online . You also will need to exchange the ticket voucher for a boarding pass in the ticketing line once you arrive, so there's really no advantage to buying your tickets online.

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Discover the essence of New York City with the Circle Line Best of NY Cruise! Set sail on a 2.5-hour journey along the city's iconic waterways, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.

You’ll cruise along all three NYC rivers, pass under 20 bridges and see over 130 of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the full Manhattan skyline, the impressive One World Trade Center, the growing Brooklyn waterfront, the legendary Yankee Stadium, beautiful Gracie Mansion, the stately George Washington Bridge and, of course, an up close look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

All from the comfort of our state-of-the-art boats.

Our world-famous tour guides tell the story of New York City as you journey around the full island and enjoy the best sightseeing experience NYC has to offer!

Book your Circle Line Best of NY Cruise today and see why it's one of the most popular attractions in New York City!

Cruise along all three NYC rivers, pass under 20 bridges and see over 130 of the city’s most iconic landmarks including One World Trade Center, Yankee Stadium, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

Pier 83. West 42nd Street and 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States

Circle Line Best of NY Cruise (2.5 Hours)

Departures daily at 10:00am and 1:30pm

Present e-ticket at our ticket kiosk to pick up your tickets and proceed to the boarding queue.

+1 (212) 445-7599

GO Airlink NYC, 700 Rockaway Turnpike, Lawrence, NY 11559, United States

Copyright © NewYorkSightseeing.com 2024

Circle Line Cruise in NYC: The 6 Best Tours in 2024

Circle Line in New York is the oldest and largest provider of boat tours, giving tourists a grand view of the city since 1945. With their distinctive green and white paintwork and red accents, the boats can be seen from afar and are an integral part of the harbor of New York City. There are several boat tours from Circle Line that you can choose from while visiting New York City.

You should also read these articles

• The Best Cruises in New York
• Classic Harbor Line Tours

In this post, I will show you all the Circle Line tours, tell you about my personal favorites, and share budget tips, with which you may be able to go on a Circle Line cruise completely free of charge.

I have taken all the boat tours several times during my many visits to New York City, so if you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

Table of Contents

A Comparison of the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

I love experiencing New York City from a boat; there’s hardly a better way to enjoy New York City and its iconic skyline. Except for one tour, Circle Line cruises depart from Pier 83 on the Hudson River and take you at least as far as the Statue of Liberty . Along the way, you’ll see the Hudson Yards with The Edge, the Empire State Building , the new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, the Chrysler Building, and the incredible One World Trade Center.

Be sure to plan a boat tour in New York City – it’s worth it!

If you want to get a quick overview of the different boat tours offered by Circle Line New York, just check out my chart. Here I have linked not only the duration of the trip, but also the tickets. You can find the schedule for each Circle Line tour below (important for your travel planning!).

My budget tip: many of the Circle Line boat tours are included in the New York Sightseeing Passes! With this article, you will be able to compare the different New York City passes.

Which is The Best Circle Line Cruise of NYC?

First , all routes have their charm and each one offers you a unique view of the New York City skyline. If I were to recommend two, it would be the Harbor Lights Cruise and the Best of New York tour. Why? On the first tour, you will experience New York at night with all its illuminated buildings and reflections on the water – I never get enough of that!

On the Best of New York tour , which takes you all the way around Manhattan, you will see many familiar sights and even more unexpected sides of New York – it’s totally worth it!

The best thing about these tours? They are both included in the popular New York Sightseeing Passes. With them, you can easily save up to 60% on tours & attractions!

Another tip: check out Classic Harbor Line’s boat tours – they’re also some of my favorites!

Sightseeing with Circle Line Cruises

The different boat tours take you along these attractions; as you can see, the routes of the Landmarks Cruise and the Harbor Lights Cruise are identical. One of them is operated during the day and the other one during the evening.

Routes of the Landmarks Cruise, Harbor Lights Cruise and the Statue-Cruises

Route of Best of NYC Full Island Cruise

These are the Best Circle Line Cruises in New York

I have compiled all the boat tours, including the 2023 schedules here:

01 Harbor Lights Tour

The Harbor Lights Tour by Circle Line is one of the most popular tours on a boat. You will experience New York from its most beautiful side: when you leave at dusk, the city changes bit by bit and shines. The harbor cruise gives you a great view of the New York skyline at night.

Duration: 2 hours

Departure: 7:00 pm

02 Circle Line Best of NYC Cruise (2,5h)

Following three rivers, passing seven major bridges, and all five boroughs of New York, this tour will take you completely around the island of Manhattan so you can see more than 25 of the city’s world-famous landmarks. Because this Circle Line boat tour is one of the most popular tours, you should book the tickets online in advance.

Be sure to sit on the left – that way you’ll be on the Manhattan-facing side!

Duration: 2.5 hours

03 Circle Line Landmarks Cruise (2,5h)

This 1.5-hour boat tour is one of the most booked tours and is simply called “The Best of Manhattan” tour by the operator “Circle Line”. Here you can enjoy the skyline of the city with its striking skyscrapers and get very close to landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or the Brooklyn Bridge.  By the way, this boat tour of Circle Line NYC used to be called “Semi-Circle”, because it only goes around half of Manhattan Island.

Duration: 1.5 hours

04 Statue of Liberty Cruise (Liberty Midtown)

If you can’t spend much time in New York, this tour is perfect for you. It starts in Midtown Manhattan and takes you to the most famous landmark of the city – the Statue of Liberty. On the way to the statue, you will learn many interesting stories about the city’s landmarks and get a lot of information about its history.

Duration: 1 hour

05 Circle Line: Liberty Super Express Downtown

The New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise is the fastest way to see Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty, and the only Circle Line tour that doesn’t depart from Pier 83 on the Hudson River. If you’re short on time or you’re just cruising downtown Manhattan with the Financial District and want to decide on a boat tour on the spur of the moment, this boat tour is perfect!

It starts at Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport on the East River not far from the Brooklyn Bridge. From here, the Liberty Super Express Downtown will take you to the southern tip of Manhattan and then to the Statue of Liberty. There you stop just before Liberty Island, so you can take the perfect photo of the Statue of Liberty.

Duration: 50 minutes

06 BEAST Speedboat Ride

In summer, it’s “Hold on tight!” time again. The fastest racing boat with turbine drive accelerates to over 70 kilometers per hour in just a few seconds and is guaranteed to make your stomach tingle. This fast-paced experience takes place in front of the New York skyline and is great fun. ATTENTION: Children must be at least 1 m in height to ride. “The Beast” does not ride in the rain!

Duration: 30 minutes

Circle Line boat tours for special events

In addition to the classic sightseeing tours, there are boat tours for many special events. I have compiled the most important and most beautiful of them in individual articles, in which you will find boat tours for the 4th of July in New York, Christmas Cruises , and New Year’s Eve boat tours .

What is Circle Line in New York?

Circle Line is the best known and largest provider of boat tours in New York. Most of the boat tours start at Pier 83 on the Hudson River. On board, you will see sights like the Empire State Building, the One World Observatory, or the new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

What can you do near Circle Line NYC 42nd St?

After your boat tour, walk south along the Hudson River. After 15 to 20 minutes you will reach the Hudson Yards. Either walk along the High Line or visit the observation deck named The Edge.

How long do Circle Line NYC boat tours last?

Circle Line boat tours last between 50 minutes and 2.5 hours:

Where can I buy the tickets for the Circle Line boat tours?

You can buy tickets for the Circle Line boat tours here.

Where do the Circle Line boat tours depart from?

The boat tours depart from Pier 83 on the Hudson River. You can’t miss the building with its distinctive green and white coloring. The best way to get there is to take the subway A C E N Q R W to “42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal” or 7 to “34 Street-Hudson Yards Subway Station.” You can also walk from Times Square, which takes about 20 minutes.

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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 !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

Liberty Midtown

PIER 83, MIDTOWN

Fastest way to see Lady Liberty from Midtown! Enjoy a guided tour with spectacular views of the NYC skyline and dozens of landmarks along the way.

• Photo stop at the Statue of Liberty
• Extra large windows
• Snacks & full bar

Cruises starting Thursday, May 16

WHAT YOU'LL SEE

NYC Landmarks and the Statue of Liberty

Sit back, relax and enjoy breathtaking views of NYC and the Statue of Liberty while our award winning tour guides narrate every detail along your route.

Empire State Building

Standing 1,250’ (381m) tall, it was the world's tallest building from 1931 until the World Trade Center was completed in 1972.

Chrysler Building

Classic Art Deco architecture, the building dons gargoyles that depict car ornaments and a spire modeled on a radiator grille.

An extraordinary 1.45 mile-long (2.33 km) elevated park built on an abandoned section of a former railroad.

One World Trade Center

Built to memorialize the Twin Towers, the 1,776’ (541m) “Freedom Tower” is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.

Statue of Liberty

Standing 305’ (93m) tall, Lady Liberty has welcomed visitors since she was bequeathed to America from France in 1886.

Ellis Island

The busiest US immigrant port processed over 12 million immigrants from 1892 to 1954.

The fastest way to see the Statue of Liberty from midtown Manhattan

Glide down the Hudson river passing the colossal Hudson Yards , the towering One World Trade Center and the inspiring High Line Park , before passing the spectacular tip of southern Manhattan and ultimately cruising only a few feet away from the magnificent Statue of Liberty .

Get your camera ready because you'll be yards away from some of the best selfies and photos of your life. And you won't miss a thing as our award-winning tour guides narrate the story of New York City as you sit back, relax and luxuriate in the comfort of one of our state-of-the-art boats.

Onboard Amenities

Our state-of-the-art boats come equipped with almost everything you need for a relaxing and comfortable cruise.

Unparalleled Views Pick a seat on the outdoor deck or enjoy the view from the huge panoramic windows in our temperature-controlled indoor cabins.

Did You Say ... Incredible Outdoor Deck The best way to see NYC and Lady Liberty is "al fresco" - outside in the fresh air, enjoying the cool breezes and the warm sunshine. It doesn't get better than this!

Temperature-Controlled Indoor Space Whether it's hot or cold, rainy or sunny, we have a temperature-controlled indoor deck with plenty of seating for everyone

Onboard Café *Freshly prepared menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks available to purchase.

Refreshing Drinks *Enjoy a full bar serving hot and cold beverages including beer, wine and cocktails.

Free WiFi No need to wait to upload your favorite photos and selfies!

Plan Your Visit

Get ready, Get set, Get Directions to Pier 83

What To Do When You Arrive

• If you purchased Premier Tickets directly from circleline.com, please alert a red-shirted Ambassador and they will help you get through security to get to your seat quickly.
• If you bought standard tickets from circleline.com, Viator, Get Your Guide or Expedia, please go directly to boarding at the entrance to our Pier. Please have your bag open and ready to be checked by our security personnel.
• If you have a CityPASS and you have reserved your seats in advance at citypass.circleline.com , please proceed to directly to security.
• If you have another pass, such as NY Pass, Explorer Pass or Sightseeing Pass, or a voucher, please go to our ticket office to pick up your tickets and proceed to the security line.

Parking at Pier 83

If you're driving to Pier 83 we've got parking for you!

We offer convenient parking just steps away from our boats. We have a parking attendant and security personnel to ensure the safety of your vehicle and we offer covered parking as well.

Our daily rates start at $35.

Spend Less, Experience More with CityPASS

One easy purchase saves 40% on admission to NYC’s top 5 attractions, including a Circle Line cruise. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. Buy CityPASS tickets online for instant mobile delivery, then go to . Go to My CityPASS App to book your visit date and time. LEARN MORE

Our Sightseeing Cruises Are Smoke-Free!

Smoking is not permitted on Circle Line’s regular sightseeing cruises including Liberty Midtown, Liberty Super Express, Statue at Sunset, Landmarks, Best of New York and Harbor Lights.*

Smoking may be permitted in designated areas on Circle Line’s Music Cruises, Bear Mountain Cruises, 4th of July and New Year’s Eve Cruises. Please plan your trip accordingly.

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THE BEAST IS Back!

take a ride on nyc's only speedboat thrillride... only if you dare.

EXPERIENCE THE BEAST, IF YOU DARE

ROAR DOWN THE HUDSON RIVER FROM PIER 83 TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WITH LOTS OF TWISTS, TURNS AND SPLASHY ACTION.

The Beast departs from Pier 83, W. 42nd Street at West Side Highway , every hour on the hour 11 AM – 7 PM, six days a week (closed Mondays).

In other words:

11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm

The ride is about 30 minutes long. Please arrive 30 minutes before your departure time to ensure that you can get on the boat!

IT’S LIKE A ROLLERCOASTER ON THE WATER!

Operated by the world-renowned Circle Line, The Beast   is New York’s only jet-powered thrill ride speedboat attraction! Don’t be fooled – The Beast isn’t just a monster on the surface.

The Beast has 1400 BHP-horsepower with two ZF 3000 marine gears powered by twin Hamilton Jets, rocketing you through the water at a heart-pounding 40 knots (about 45 mph)!

YOU’LL GET WET!

Not definitely, but it usually happens. So leave your laptop at home.

IT’S EXTREME!

We travel at high speeds and bounce around, so nobody who is pregnant, has heart conditions or back injuries should ride.

HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT!

Things like hats and sunglasses can fly away during the boat ride.

Twin jet engines, what do you expect?

40″ OR TALLER!

You have to be this tall to ride. That’s 102cm in the rest of the world.

Kids must be able to sit in their own seat without assistance.

…and buckle up. Passengers must be seated at all times!

NO SMOKING!

There is no smoking allowed while riding The Beast.

NO RAIN, ONLY SHINE!

The Beast does not go out when it’s raining. Check beforehand by calling our box office to confirm.

thebeastnyc

The fastest speedboat ride in NYC! 🌊🗽 🚨CLOSED FOR THE SEASON‼️🚨

There's some mean, green, dancing machines on our crew, and we'll get you on your feet after being strapped into our speedboat 🌊! ...

We've got your back. Talk to us nice, and we might let you snap the perfect selfie on the captain's deck this summer 🤳! ...

#DidYouKnow? Before The Beast was a mean, green machine, it was raging in red down the #HudsonRiver 👿! ...

Imagine explaining a ride on The Beast to Jack and Rose from The Titanic... 🥶 ...

Sources say it's an excellent way to boost your immune system, and we can't argue there... 🌊 ...

Splish splashing down the #HudsonRiver is always a classic 🌊! ...

Paging @IdinaMenzel, you can let everyone know you wrote this song about me now... 👹 ...

A few moments of calm (but mainly utter chaos) when @benaarontv stopped by with our pals from @pix11news to see what our speedboat is all about 🌊! ...

Don't be scared! The #HudsonRiver splash zone might be where you come to find your superpowers 💧! ...

Last season brought out the very bravest riders to our speedboat 👹! Y’all think you can top that in 2024…? ...

Miss seeing me on Pier 83? I hear my sister boat @circlelinenyc has some less super soaked fun setting sail 🌊! ...

I SPY WITH MY BIG YELLOW EYE... My bestie @bfplny 😍 who I miss splashing on the way to the #statueofliberty 😈!!! ...

GROUPS, SCHOOLS, CAMPS & FREINDS!

It’s beastier with friends.

Inquiry Form

THE BEAST W. 42nd Street @ West Side Highway New York, NY 10036

[email protected]

+1 (212) 563-3200

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