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Beyond New York City

Circle Line: 2.5hr - Complete Manhattan Island Cruise

Badge of Excellence
New York City, USA
Trending
Booked 5+ times in 12 hours.
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.4
·
· Perry_S ·
Jul 2026
Well organized with courteous staff. Started on time and ended on time. Learned a lot about the history of New York! Premium seats are worth the extra cost and recommend bringing extra drinks or snacks.
· Robyn_M ·
Jun 2026
Loved this cruise. Very informative guide I can't remember his name. Lovely views of all of the city. Beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty.. My partner gets very bad sea sickness and he was good. Highly recommend.

Overview

Some of the best views of New York City's iconic skyline are from the water. This extended cruise goes all the way around Manhattan island, affording views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and more. Choose between standard seating or upgrade for access to the premium seating area. While on board, learn about the history of the city through live commentary, and choose to purchase drinks and snacks.
  • Check off plenty of New York City landmarks in just one tour
  • Enjoy Statue of Liberty and city skyline views that you won't get on land
  • Learn about New York's landmarks through live onboard commentary
  • See something many visitors miss out on—Manhattan from the water

What's Included

  • 2.5 hour Sightseeing Cruise
  • Live narration by Circle Line’s world-famous guides (in English)
  • Free Wi-Fi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Restroom on board
  • Outdoor deck
  • Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (headphones required) See below for more.
  • Food & Beverages (Available for Purchase Onboard)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises - Midtown
    83 North River Piers West 43rd Street and, 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA

    Departure Point: Tour departs from Pier 83, New York Address: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Pier 83 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10019

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Three rivers, seven bridges, five boroughs, 25 world-renowned landmarks, and a close-up of the Statue of Liberty. Now that’s getting to know New York City.

On this sightseeing tour around Manhattan Island, enjoy stunning views of the Big Apple’s brilliant skyline and iconic landmarks, such as One World Trade Center’s Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and many more.

Depart from Pier 83 in Midtown Manhattan and cruise around Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers. While on board, enjoy live narration from a professional tour guide.

Learn more about the history of each of the sites while taking in the beautiful views of some of New York City’s most popular attractions.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises - Midtown (Pass By)

Empire State Building (Pass By)

Statue of Liberty (Pass By)

Hudson Yards (Pass By)

Little Island (Pass By)

One World Trade Center (Pass By)

Ellis Island (Pass By)

Governors Island (Pass By)

South Street Seaport Historic District (Pass By)

Brooklyn Bridge (Pass By)

Chrysler Building (Pass By)

Yankee Stadium (Pass By)

George Washington Bridge (Pass By)

United Nations Headquarters (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • For children/infants under the age of 3, please ask at the box office for an infant ticket; it is free of charge.
  • Please arrive at least 30-minutes prior to the departure time for boarding.
  • Food and drinks are NOT allowed to be brought on board
  • Non-English-speaking guests can now make the most of their cruise with the free Circle Line Sightseeing app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app lets you follow along with a guided tour in your language, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Be sure to bring your own headphones, as headsets aren't provided. Download the app today and enjoy exploring New York City like never before!
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 600 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (16)

Q:What is the departure point for the Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise?

A:The cruise conveniently departs from Pier 83 @ West 42nd Street and the West Side Highway, in Midtown Manhattan.

Jun 2021

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Flyer59694016601
We really enjoyed our cruise. Best seats are not the priority seating!! Sit outside, enjoy the beautiful views and go on a nice day and enjoy the weather. You will have the best views sitting outside on the same side of the boat as the priority seating. The cruise gets up nice and close to the statute of Liberty. You learn some history and information about New York. Highly recommended this cruise for tourists!

Reviews

4.4
based on 3,588 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

Great tour with live...

Arash_N, Aug 2026
Great tour with live narration. Provides good information about NYC and an opportunity to see some of the major buildings and tourist attractions from the water.

No speaker outside.

Matthew_S, Aug 2026
Rainy day was unfortunate. For when we could be outside, the speakers were not turned on for have the tour, so could not listen to the guide.

Duped

Yolanda_A, Aug 2026
I had a premier ticket which I pointed out to the gentleman at the entrance. He told the young lady and she gave me an armband and booklet. She then directed me to get in this long line of other guest waiting (supposed to have advanced boarding). So I wait in line for awhile until I see another attendant up ahead. I asked is this the line for premier experience guest? He states oh let me take you to the front. He does the older gentleman direct me to the bottom deck with open sitting. I look around because this is not what was advertised. Whole time premier sitting is upstairs with designated seats by window away from over crowding. The staff seemed to be overwhelmed with the crowd to really help anyone

It was awesome - peaceful...

Valencia_B, Jul 2026
It was awesome - peaceful and an alternate way to enjoy views without a lots of walking. The only take away would be that we couldn't hear the narration on the front of the boat that they opened up after we departed the pier.

Magical tour

Tashi, Jul 2026
It was wonderful and enjoyable. Drinks were expensive but the tour guide was super extraordinary, such as talented person. I want too buy his book but forgot the title. Please leave his book title.

Did he forget?!

Taffi_C, Jul 2026
He should include more meaningful information. He never mentioned the Obamas when discussing Columbia University.

Circular line around...

Ellen_R, Jul 2026
Circular line around Manhattan cruise is fantastic. It’s the best for a first comers to see the best of New York Tour Guide Alexia is very knowledgeable plus can sing. She has provided a great narration of all buildings and parks . This tour has been recommended to us and we’re gladly recommending to others. Everyone has been very helpful with directions and guidance. Alexia singing has been very good and at the right times.

Cruise around Manhattan.

Tonda_J, Jul 2026
A wonderful, pleasant experience. The cruise boat was clean and inviting. Our guide onboard was excellent. Don’t remember his name but he had long hair and his initials were MM.

Good trip

Claudia_F, Jul 2026
I got there a bit late, so booked a shorter trip, but it was nice. Would have been nicer on a day that wasn’t clouded with Canadian smoke

Great Cruise!

Perry_S, Jul 2026
Well organized with courteous staff. Started on time and ended on time. Learned a lot about the history of New York! Premium seats are worth the extra cost and recommend bringing extra drinks or snacks.

NYC cruise

Joseph_V, Jul 2026
Very nice cruise, informative. Could do a better job with snack bar, very long lines, not enough help especially when large groups are on board.

Very Satisfied customer

Rosette_E, Jul 2026
Informative, detailed history of NYC skyline, a must New York experience. You will not be disappointed. For the price it is a relaxing 2.5 hours.

Cruise

Georgina_R, Jul 2026
Very informative cruise around Manhattan. Love the trip around seeing things we wouldn’t normally see or no about.

This is a really great...

Emily_M, Jun 2026
This is a really great way to get some unique photograph opportunities around Manhattan. If you pick a beautiful day this is a really really nice activity!

The trip was well...

Elizabeth_B, Jun 2026
The trip was well narrated by the guide, Alexa. The cruise included excellent views and interesting information.

My circle line tour

Daniel_M, Jun 2026
It was very nice and very informative, relaxing. Night Shift easy to find. arrive early for your tour.

Great guide, funny and informative.

Rebecca_A, Jun 2026
Wear sunscreen. It’s best to be outside and there is a breeze. Lots of great information about the area and the culture.

Great, just a bit too long

Jennifer_T, Jun 2026
Great experience, seeing the Statue of Liberty was the highlight. Everything is quick (take the picture as soon as you can, blink and your opportunity will be gone) and I think it would be better to opt for a shorter tour versus the 2.5 hour tour.

Brilliant cruise, guide...

Jlroyle5, Jun 2026
Brilliant cruise, guide was excellent and knew her stuff, some entertainment thrown in too. Well done Alexis

A great way to see...

Susan_P, Jun 2026
A great way to see Manhattan skyline. Just enough time to see it all. The explanations by guide were interesting.

Wonderful afternoon.

Barry_P, Jun 2026
Tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting facts and history about New York City. The restrooms were clean and the ride was comfortable. The views were magnificent.

Loved this cruise. Very...

Robyn_M, Jun 2026
Loved this cruise. Very informative guide I can't remember his name. Lovely views of all of the city. Beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty.. My partner gets very bad sea sickness and he was good. Highly recommend.

Excellent tour guide

Wendi_O, Jun 2026
This was a very informative boat cruise. The guide Alexis was extremely knowledgeable and sang a few tunes for us. She kept going around the boat and asking if anyone had questions. My husband and I learned a lot even though we’ve been to NYC many times!!!!

Beautiful ride around...

eileengenna, Jun 2026
Beautiful ride around Manhattan. Even those who have lived in or near NYC learned something new. Easy paid parking near by and wheelchair accessible.

See so much of the NYC...

Barbara_K, Jun 2026
See so much of the NYC area from a different perspective. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Well worth it.

Great trip

Stephen_C, Jun 2026
well organised from the start, we were very lucky with the weather, Glorious sunshine, so sat outside for the whole trip. Friendly and efficient staff, the guide was both informative and humorous, Great way to see all around the island, and we got close to the Statue of Liberty for photos. The boat was turned around so that everyone got a good view of the statue. We would certainly recommend this trip, there were a number of younger children on the trip so it should appeal to all ages.

Go!!

Leslie_E, Jun 2026
If the sun is out, you must have a hat on the top deck. The tour guide and the tour were both fabulous. Haven’t been on the line since I was a little kid and was just as excited and had a great time.

Nice way to experience...

Courtney_A, Jun 2026
Nice way to experience the island while learning more about it. Easy on and off with comfortable accommodations.

You must see NYC from the water

Sarah_H, Jun 2026
Ever seen NY from the water!? If not highly suggest this tour. Everything was great about it . 100% recommend

We had a beautiful day so...

kandycolleen, Jun 2026
We had a beautiful day so we were able to sit outdoors the whole trip. Inside was very hot,so we were lucky. Speaker was excellent.

From $34.55

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 17 days in advance.

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