3-Course Brunch, Lunch Or Dinner

NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise runs through City Cruises. Rated 4.5 across 1,056 reviews. Runs 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes. From $115.13.

Overview

This City Cruises dining trip departs from Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers and spends between 2 and 2 hours 30 minutes on the water, taking in Manhattan from the Hudson and East Rivers while guests eat a three-course meal at a reserved table. The vessel is all-glass and climate-controlled, so the skyline stays in view from the dining deck itself, and there are outdoor observation decks for anyone who wants open air and photos.

The route strings together most of the city's recognizable silhouettes: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Vessel at Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, Battery Park, South Street Seaport and all three East River bridges (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg). Live entertainment runs throughout, with a pianist or DJ, and narration points out the landmarks as they pass.

Guests pick brunch, lunch or dinner when booking. Brunch comes with unlimited mimosas, and all options include coffee, tea and iced tea; other drinks cost extra. Dinner is the dressier of the three, with semi-formal attire required and children under 6 not permitted, while brunch and lunch are casual and open to all ages. Reviewers have used the cruise for anniversaries, engagements and family visits, which makes the dinner sailing a natural fit for a special occasion.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at Pier 61Boarding starts at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61. Guests should arrive early; the listing says boarding begins well before departure and late arrivals will likely miss the boat.
2. Pass Hudson Yards and MidtownThe boat glides past the Vessel at Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, with the glass walls keeping the skyline in view from the table.
3. Round Lower ManhattanThe route passes the Statue of Liberty, then Battery Park City and Governors Island, before continuing toward the East River.
4. East River bridgesThe cruise continues past the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, with Ellis Island also among the sights described on the sailing.
5. Return to Pier 61The sailing loops back to Chelsea Piers, where the cruise ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from the dress code to how seating works, and they are worth knowing before booking.

• Dress code. Dinner sailings require semi-formal attire: dress pants, dress shirts, skirts or dresses, and dress shoes. The listing states that jeans, t-shirts and sandals are not permitted and that the code is enforced. Brunch and lunch cruises are casual.
• Arrive early. Boarding opens before departure and the listing warns that late arrivals will likely miss the boat. Plan to be at Pier 61 with time to spare.
• Seating together. Anyone who wants to sit with friends or family must be on the same booking. If bookings were made separately, contact City Cruises ahead of the cruise to be seated together.
• Food and drink. The meal is a three-course prix fixe menu, with unlimited mimosas on the brunch option and unlimited coffee, tea and iced tea on all sailings. Alcoholic drinks beyond that are sold on board. Some reviewers felt the portions ran small, so it helps to set expectations accordingly.
• Weather and decks. The interior is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, and one brunch reviewer mentioned it still felt warm inside despite the air conditioning, balanced by the breeze outside. The outdoor observation decks are also the only place where smoking is allowed.
• Music and photos. A pianist or DJ plays live, and several reviewers praised the music, with one noting it stayed quiet enough to hold a conversation. There is a dance floor, and the open decks are the spot for skyline and Statue of Liberty photos.

Common issues. The portion size and flavor of the food drew the most consistent criticism, with some travellers saying they expected more from the plates. One brunch guest found the interior warmer than they would have liked even with the air conditioning running. Children 6 and under are not allowed on the Premier Dinner Cruise, and dinner requires enforced semi-formal attire. Drinks beyond the included mimosas, coffee, tea and iced tea must be purchased separately.

Picking Your Boat Tour