New York Holiday Cruise: Cocoa, Carols & Statue of Liberty Views

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/28

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 80

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sing carols sip cocoa see the statue on a warm yacht night

You’ll board a heated yacht in New York City for a holiday cruise filled with live jazz carols, homemade cookies, and spiked cocoa as you glide past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. With assigned seating in the grand salon and friendly hosts leading singalongs, you’ll share laughter and city views that linger long after you step back on shore.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Holiday cruise with city sightseeing

Arrive 15-30 minutes early to check-in
Board Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II
Enjoy spiked hot cocoa and homemade cookies
Listen to live jazz band and sing carols
Cruise past Financial District and Battery Park
Pass by Ellis Island
View and photograph Statue of Liberty up close
Relax in heated grand salon or outer deck

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the faint sound of laughter drifting over the Hudson — not the city’s usual noise, but something softer, almost like you could feel it in the cold air. We’d just boarded the Yacht Manhattan II near Battery Park and right away, there was this smell of cinnamon and chocolate (the cookies are honestly too good). The grand salon was warm, glass fogging up a little from all our breath and the spiked hot cocoa — I didn’t expect to feel so instantly at home on a boat full of strangers. Our host, Jamie, handed out drinks with that kind of New York energy that’s both hurried and friendly.

There was a jazz trio tucked by the windows playing “Let It Snow,” and people started singing along — some shy at first, but then louder as we passed Manhattan’s Financial District all lit up. Jamie pointed out Ellis Island off to our left; I tried to picture my great-grandfather coming through there, but mostly I just felt grateful for being here now. The wind outside was sharp if you stepped onto the outer deck (I did anyway, for photos), but inside it was just warmth and music and clinking mugs. The Statue of Liberty looked smaller than I remembered from land — but somehow more real when you’re floating right there beside her.

I shared a table with two sisters from Queens who insisted I try their family’s “secret” cookie recipe (they’d snuck them in — don’t tell). We talked about old Christmases in Brooklyn while the boat circled slowly near One World Observatory. At some point someone started harmonizing “Jingle Bells” in Spanish and everyone sort of joined in without thinking. It wasn’t perfect singing, but it felt good. The city skyline behind steamed-up glass is something I still think about sometimes — especially that moment when everything went quiet for just a second before another song began.

What’s included

Your evening includes one complimentary drink (like spiked hot cocoa), an assortment of homemade holiday cookies, cozy assigned seating in a heated grand salon aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II, live jazz carols led by local hosts as you pass Ellis Island and get close to the Statue of Liberty — all with plenty of time to enjoy both indoor warmth and fresh air out on deck before returning to shore.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Classic Harbor Line NYC