Sunset & Harbor Lights Cruise with Statue of Liberty New York

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is the reason many travellers book a New York harbor cruise. A gift from France, dedicated in 1886, the copper statue stands on Liberty Island and looks best from the water, especially at sunset when the light warms the metal. The boat slows here so that both sides of the deck can take photos, and your guide explains how the statue was built and why it became a symbol of welcome.

Nearby lies Ellis Island, the immigration station that processed millions of arrivals between 1892 and 1954. Many visitors ask whether they should choose a Statue of Liberty sunset cruise or a ferry to the island; the cruise gives you views and stories without the time on land, which suits a short evening.

Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center

Behind Battery Park the tall towers of Lower Manhattan rise straight from the water. One World Trade Center, at 1,776 feet, is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and from the harbour you see it beside the glass towers of the financial district and the green edge of Battery Park.

The route also passes Governors Island, the old ferry piers and the South Street Seaport, so you see how the harbour shaped the city. After sunset the skyline lights up and the mood changes; your guide points out the buildings by name so you know what each glowing tower is.

The Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges

On the East River the cruise passes beneath three of the most famous bridges in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge; the Manhattan Bridge followed in 1909 and the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903. Seen from below, their cables and stone towers look far more dramatic than from the road above.

You also see DUMBO on the Brooklyn shore, the Chrysler Building and Little Island on the Hudson side. Photographers will find that the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline behind it is one of the best shots on the cruise, especially in the blue hour after sunset.

Onboard, boarding and planning your evening

The vessel has climate-controlled cabins with large windows, open decks, toilets and free Wi-Fi. Live narration is in English, and an audio guide is available in nine languages if you bring headphones. Your voucher lets you skip the ticket queue, but plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure, since boarding and finding a good spot on deck takes time.

Sunset time changes through the year, so check the departure time for your date in the booking panel and choose a day with clear weather if you can. Bring a jacket, since it is windy on the water, and remember that food and drinks are not included and are sold on board.