Chelsea Cruises: Top Sailing Tours & Best Harbor Cruises

If you are searching for a unique way to see the city, then a cruise, you see, could be just what you need. Chelsea, NYC, with its spot on the Hudson River, provides the perfect jump-off point for all sorts of water adventures. Whether you are a local or a visitor, these harbor outings, it seems, give a fresh angle on city views, which, frankly, are tough to beat. We’ve compiled a list, it is almost like a guide, of the top 5 Chelsea cruises and sailing outings that, well, might just make your NYC experience really pop. You can expect options for all sorts of tastes, offering stunning scenes and top-notch relaxation. So, too, keep reading, and who knows, maybe you’ll spot the perfect trip to drift away on!

1. Manhattan by Sail: Clipper City Tall Ship Sail

Picture this, the wind catching in the sails, isn’t it majestic? Manhattan by Sail delivers exactly that with its Clipper City Tall Ship sail. It’s very reminiscent of an experience, almost as if you’re being transported back to the age of sail, only, you get a view of the NYC skyline! The Clipper City is in fact, a replica of lumber schooners from the 1800s. Apparently, these kinds of ships supported the growth of this very city we’re cruising around! On board, one can kick back, you know, sip drinks, and soak up scenes, that is, some amazing scenes, of landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. What separates this one is the combo, like your historical vibes mixed with contemporary city views.

Very suited to: Those keen for some scenic history and chill outing. Perfect, apparently, for dates, tourist outings, or anyone really that appreciates stunning boat design. This cruise runs at various times, and that’s throughout the day, offering various experiences. It starts with daytime scenic views and shifts, then, too, to the lit skyline at night, it’s amazing! Prices generally go from around $50-$90, give or take, depending on the sailing you opt for and any additions you toss in. Read our full review: Manhattan by Sail: Clipper City Tall Ship Sail Full Review and Details
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2. Circle Line: Best of NYC Cruise

Circle Line cruises, that, you see, they’re super well-known in NYC. The Best of NYC Cruise wraps Manhattan up. It covers the entire island in about two and a half hours! You get to view everything from the water that, too, you usually just see, maybe, as tiny buildings off in the distance. Their guides fill you in on interesting bits about all the sights as well! The view shifts are neat! It, you know, goes from famous buildings and parks downtown to uptown spots such as Yankee Stadium and the Cloisters. This outing tends to be a smart pick for first-time visitors. You can grab all the prime spots right off the bat. Or even those city locals, very, very, often they just want an outdoor outing that gives views of things they see everyday, only differently.

Very well-suited to: Tourist trips for sure. This is a really good introduction to all key spots within Manhattan, even just, you know, anyone trying to kick back and see things in the city. The cruises operate often. The rides departing multiple times daily from morning up into evening. Price hovers, roughly, near $40 to $50 a person. The final cost usually rests on deals and add-ons that change at differing times. Read our full review: Circle Line: Best of NYC Cruise Full Review and Details
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3. Classic Harbor Line: Manhattan Evening Jazz Cruise

If you want, like your scenes mixed with classy tunes, this is that, isn’t it? The Classic Harbor Line mixes both well. They have these jazz rides which pair night skyline vistas with sets by skilled artists! This isn’t, perhaps, a noisy party, you see? That tends to go elsewhere. Instead you usually wind up floating along. That too, happens smoothly as that night glow gets its picture-perfect backdrops by jazz rhythms and cocktail sips. That ship typically sports period design details and that feel is on purpose too. The organizers look to copy what made boat travel very classy “back when.”

Most very well suited to: Date goers; relax seekers; and those who favor some jazzy music and those pretty horizon lights. Normally you find outings at, just maybe, two or three times weekly! So plan that event correctly! Typical expenses range from around $80-$120. Any specific expenses ride almost wholly, in a way, on whether one includes cocktails or, sometimes, fancy fare extras. Read our full review: Classic Harbor Line: Manhattan Evening Jazz Cruise Full Review and Details
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4. Shearwater Sailing: Daytime Statue of Liberty Sail

Check out Shearwater. It offers outings, typically in, almost, exclusive sailboat types. One outing centers just on seeing that Statue, but from angles that some may find interesting! One is likely to move via that quiet sailboat drifting easily towards Lady Liberty. While you could get city sounds on some cruise lines, this almost acts like quiet sightseeing. So, that’s the upside in effect. You won’t almost lose out on vistas and sights via louder noises and big crowds!

Very ideal normally if: Guests want quiet tours, that too, and wish, maybe, better focus right towards local waterways views and land marks. So, expect these sailboat rides at select times most days, and then costs, it seems, hang near that $60-$80 position typically. It all changes! Different peak sails might run slightly more pricey in cost. Read our full review: Shearwater Sailing: Daytime Statue of Liberty Sail Full Review and Details
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5. Hornblower Cruises: Alive After Five Happy Hour Cruise

Trying, very hard, I am sure, one can look to mix party excitement along with the waterways landscape. Hornblower offers party driven outings. Their “Alive After Five” happy hour ride serves that exactly. One sees DJ beats. One can expect mixed drink sets, along with dance spots aplenty! Very neat, this presents the possibility to cut loose along with some colleagues following that grind time, with those tall cityscape scenes sparkling past all round!

Better pick for those, too, seeking excitement. Or better yet those seeking quick party spots, on rivers, for example. Hornblower does these specific sails usually each work week closing hours and costs hover right around that $30-$50 figure area, yet might move with some promos running possibly. Read our full review: Hornblower Cruises: Alive After Five Happy Hour Cruise Full Review and Details
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Read our full review: Chelsea Piers Cruises and Sailing Tours Full Review and Details