What is The Best New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in New York? Are NYE Fireworks Cruises worth it?

One thing is certain, New Year’s Eve in Times Square New York is Madness. People are penned in by the hundreds of thousands, in freezing conditions, and denied access to essential humanities, for hours and hours on end with little food, drink, or entertainment. If this were not voluntary it would be a crime against humanity! The best advice we can give you is to avoid the plague. We have a full Survival Guide here, to try and help you make the best of it, but really the best plan is to avoid. But that leaves a searching question…What do you do instead on New Year’s Eve in New York?

New York is one of the most popular Destinations in the world to Celebrate the dawning of a New Year, and people flock literally in the millions to the City. But if we agree the main attraction is a NO-GO Zone, what else is there to do? We have a full guide on the best things to do to Avoid the Square, but one of those suggestions is a New Year’s Eve Cruise out on the Bay. In the article, we take a look at the Best New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in New York.

New Year’s Eve Cruises in NYC, Will We See the Ball Drop and Fireworks?

The problem with New Year’s Eve in New York is the festivities are all centered around Times Square. For an event such as the 4th of July, the fireworks are launched in the East River which gives huge amounts of viewing area as people line both backs of the River to watch the display. Times Square is right in the heart of the City and as such there is much less in terms of space to actually view the Ball Drop. This leads to total madness!

The other issue with this is most of the celebrations are contained. The Fireworks are not actually that good and it’s more about the Confetti, so unless you have a direct view of the square, which you can only get from inside, there is just not much to see. This means doing something like a Cruise means you will not get to see the Ball Drop in any meaningful way.

However, there is an awful lot going off in the Area on New Year’s Eve, and while you are going to miss the Times Square festivities, there is going to be a lot of other fireworks going off. There are displays in Brooklyn, New Jersey, Central Park, The Empire State Building, and many more smaller displays. From the River, with unobstructed Views all around the whole City will erupt in Fireworks and Festivities. In a way, it’s better than the 4th July display as the fireworks are just everywhere.

The Cruises also operate like mini floating parties and everyone is in party mode aboard. There are Open Bars, Lavish Buffets, and lots of space indoors and outdoors to really let loose and enjoy the evening. If you can accept you will not get to see the Ball Drop (it will usually be on a screen somewhere) and just want to count in the New Year in one of the most stunning locations you can imagine, the New Year’s Eve Cruises are hard to beat.

Things To Consider

Before we get into the cruises here are some really important things to consider when choosing!

Location

We have listed the Boarding location of every Cruise. This is pretty important as transport around the City on New Year’s Eve can be severely restricted. The whole area around Times Square is simply closed off and millions of people are moving around the City. It’s pretty Chaotic, so it really does pay to be sailing from a location you can easily get to. All of the Cruises here sial return to the same pier they depart from so id it’s convenient on the way out it will still be convenient on the return. And remember there will be a lot of people moving around the city after midnight.

Most crises sail to the same location, essentially just off the coast of Downtown Manhattan and around the Statue of Liberty, so the departure point is not very important for the actual cruise, you still get all the same sites, it’s just which is easiest for you to get to, and this will be most dependent where you are staying.

Boarding

Pay strict attention to boarding times. These Cruises are all under a very tight schedule. They will not wait around, you miss the boarding time, they will sail without you. Boarding times are not the same as departure times, make sure you are there at least 1hr before the scheduled departure time. It’s better to hang around a little than be left standing at the dock!

Family Friendly, Can We Take Kids?

Most of the Cruises describe themselves as family-friendly, but they can get a little boisterous. But on the whole are okay for most kids, and fine for teens and over. There are some listed as 21 and Over and obviously, these are not ok for kids. For all cruises alcohol is involved and ID will be required if you want to drink. The family-friendly cruises are not all-out party boats and most families will be fine, as long as you can tolerate a little drunkenness. These are regulated cruises so any real bad behavior will not be tolerated and all drugs are illegal as these are federally controlled, so you might even escape the famous New York Pot Smoke!

Fellow Guests

A good party is usually defined by how good the crowd is, and this is impossible to really gauge boat to boat and year to year. The best way to ensure you are on the right type of cruise is to try and see which type of atmosphere would appeal to you, and then trust that will also appeal to like-minded party-goers.

If you are looking for a relaxed and sophisticated cruise, choose one that matches, and then trust others will be doing the same and you will get a good crowd. Looking for a more High-Energy cruise pick a cruise of that style, preferably – 21 and Over. and most people aboard will have done the same. We try and point out which cruises have which kind of atmospheres. But this is always guesswork until you actually board.

Weather

New Year’s Eve is right in the heart of New York’s Winter. And while it is not always as cold as you imagine…it can be, and then some. Also, Manhattans Bulit up nature along with the Uraban Heat sink means the temps in the city are usually a couple of degrees warmer than they should be. This is not the case out on the Hudson, East River, and Bay. Even in mild New York conditions, it will be FREEZING. The wind will cut through you like a knife. Any ideas you have of schmoozing on the deck gazing at the stunning City lights, forget it. You can head out and see the lights, and the fireworks, but time outdoors will be limited.

All these cruises have warm and cozy indoor areas so no matter how frigid it is outside you will be fine partying away on the vessel dance floor. But just understand you will be indoors 90% of the cruise no matter what the temperature. And if a really cold snap hits, it can be genuinely arctic out there.

Rain can be a bigger issue. If a horrid storm rolls in, heavy rain and drizzle can obscure views and wash off any fireworks displays. It’s not usual and there are normally at least some breaks in the weather for views, but it’s not guaranteed, rain really can spoil what would otherwise be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will still have the bar, dancefloor, and food, but when the rain bears down and the gloom drops over the city it’s pretty miserable.

It would take an actual hurricane or some kind of tactic snow blast to actually weather off the cruise, so you are not going to get a refund for and weather.

Crowds

From the moment you board the cruise till when your feet hit terra-firma afterwards you will be well protected from the madness of Manhattan on New Year. But getting to and from your departure point, things will be CRAZY. Allow for plenty of time to get around, understand nearly half the island will be a no-go-zone, and get to your cruise early, and do not assume you will get back to your accommodation for at least a couple of hours after.

If you have to cross midtown, don’t take a Cab or Uber, don’t try and walk it, just hit the Subway and zoom under the chaos.

After-Party

Once midnight comes and goes, most people are ready for their beds, but on these Cruises you still have a rather tedious landing procedure to go through. Almost every boat in the entire New York Fleet, and a good few from other fleets, have all hit the water at the same time. This means there is going to be some congestion at the docks. For most of this, the bars will have closed and you will just be waiting to land.

It’s not the most fun part of the trip, but rest assured it’s much more fun than being involved in whatever madness is occurring in Times Square!

While the Cruises Sell-out?

Cruises are a really popular way of seeing in the New Year and they can and do sell out. As the date draws near, the best events will sell out first leaving you with whatever is left. This is really one of those cases where you can’t really book too early!

Dress Codes

Finally, most of the Events on our list require a certain standard of dress. These are classy events and they don’t want super casual or sports attire. It’s no different from heading to a nightclub, most of us like dressing up for an event. You don’t need a Tux (but feel free) but a collared shirt, shoes and, as ever we don’t need to tell the girls how to dress, you know better than most how to look good on a night out.

But remember in the quest to look good, don’t overlook the overcoat, it will be COLD!

Best New Year’s Eve Cruises in New York

There are 3 main companies offering New Year’s Eve cruises in the Bay. The first two are the main Cruise companies that offer sightseeing cruises year-round. Circle line and City experiences.

• BALLDROP.com – $199 – $259
• City Experiences – $300 – $549
• CircleLine Cruises – $269
• Clipper City Tall Ship – $550

BALLDROP.com

Balldrop.com has been organizing New Year’s Eve Parties across the City for quite some time. They are responsible for some of the best and most iconic parties in the City. They now also operate a huge line-up of New Year’s Eve Cruises on some of the best Vessels in New York. Offering great party atmospheres, excellent food, and convenient pick-up and boarding options. Let’s take a look at their line-up…be warned there is a lot…

all of Balldrops Cruises offer Open bars (Just to be clear that means FREE!), Buffet Dinners, and some form of Party entertainment. Most offer a General Admission that just gets you on the boat with an Open Bar and Buffet but no reserved seats and the possibility you will need to stand for the entire trip. Upgraded Packages offer better seats, premium decks, private tables, and even Capatains Lounges.

They have leased a huge range of Vessels from some of the finest Sailing yachts to some pretty small basic party boats, and these all offer a huge range of experiences, from really swanky soirees to rough and ready booze cruises. Balldrop is only in charge of the Event, the Sailing Crew are all chartered with the vessel so you are guaranteed a super safe cruise out into the Bay taking in all the sights. They lease from some of the best Charter companies in the City.

On the whole, Balldrop really knows how to throw a party and is our top choice out of the operators.

1- Hornblower Infinity – City Experiences

• Location: Pier 40
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Cost: $199-$529+Taxes and Fees
• Capacity – 1000
• Inclusions: Premium Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment 21 and Over

Huge Luxury Party Boat – 21 and Over

The Hornblower Infinity is a nightly impressive VEssel. With a whopping 1000-person capacity on 4 Decks of the vessel, this is going to be a huge Party. The First Deck is 10,000 sqft with the vast majority taken up by the Dance Floor. The Second Deck is a Mezzanine deck overlooking the First and offers stunning views both out the Windows and onto the dance floor. The Third Deck is more secluded a offers a more intimate party affair or really splash out and head to the Capatains Comadore club. Finally, there is the Sky Deck, which is outdoors and is stunningly beautiful but time out here could be limited as it’s liable to be a very cold evening out on the Water.

General Admission to the Cruise Party just gets you aboard the boat and access to the Open Bar, if you want a Seat, then you will have to buy an upgraded premium seating package. These will be general seating, and you may be seated with others. If you want a private table you can buy and pay extra again for this.

The Food Buffet is fairly basic, but still offers dishes such as Prime Rib, Honey Sesame Chicken, Pasta Al Formo, and Roasted White Fish, along with a selection of sides and salads. The desserts are small individual bites of seasonal cakes, brownies, and cookies. It’s a good spread but just enough to soak the booze up and get you through the evening, this is not considered a dinner cruise.

The bar is listed as a Premium Bar, but really it’s a middle Shelf bar, but that doesn’t sound great, Tito’s, Absolut, Tanqueray, Cruzan, Olemca, Captain Morgan, and Jack Daniels are the kinds of brands on offer. There is a good selection of Domestic Beers but nothing fancy and the wines are of the “drinkable” kind rather than fine! It is Open for around 4 hours of the Cruise so plenty of time to get the party on, and everyone gets a toast at midnight.

2 – Cornucopia Princess – Cornucopia Cruise Line

• Location: Pier 40
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Cost: $309 – $389
• Capacity – 300
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Buffet Dinner, DJ Entertainment

Intimate Luxury Cruise

The Princess is a smaller boat but is regularly used as a Wedding Boat and as such offers very refined surroundings. It has 3 decks and while it is a little more expensive than some cruises, it offers a more intimate and romantic style cruise and is one of the All-Seated offerings, there are no large crowds milling around.

• Deck 1 – Prime Deck
• Deck 2 – Mezzanine Deck
• Deck 3 – Admiral’s Deck

There are 3 decks to choose from and a variety of seating options including large tables perfect for big groups. There is a large dancefloor with Modern top-40 style music, and a large outdoor viewing deck perfect for the midnight hour.

The process will offer a really fun and friendly style cruise with over 4 hours of open bar, this is one of the longer cruises and will load up and head out nice and early giving you a lot of time on the water.

3 – Horizons Edge – Cornucopia Cruise Line

• Location: Pier 81
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Cost: $299-389
• Capacity – 600
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment, Outdoor Dancefloor

Fantastic Outdoor Space

Horizons Edge is a really nice modern Vessel with a large capacity of 600 guests. This Mega Yacht is really plush and is a real looker. One of its best features is the awesome Sky Deck. This outdoor space will offer the ultimate party and Amazing views while you dance the nights away. But with the Brutal Winter nights, you might not want to spend too long outdoors. This is fine as this is an All-Seated cruise with a variety of Deck Options.

• Deck 1 – Prime Deck
• Deck 2 – Mezzanine Deck
• Deck 3 – Admiral’s Deck

We like Deck 3 as this gives the best views and direct access to the Sky Deck, but the main Dancefloor will be down on the Prime Deck, so if you want to be close to that then Deck one will be warm and lively, with Deck 2 the compromise overlooking the Dancefloor but close access to the outside deck.

Food wise the Buffet offering is basic with a selection of Entrees and sieds with Celebration cake for dessert. The Bar is mid-tier with standard brands and no Well drinks. This is another early sail giving you 5 hours on the water and 4 hours of Open Bar.

4 – Serenity Yacht – Hornblower

• Location: Pier 40
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Cost: $319-329
• Capacity – 280
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Large Spacious Cruise Vessel

Serenity is one of the Horblower’s best yachts. This is a big vessel and while slightly older than some of the new mega yachts it’s an excellent boat. With its two spacious decks and huge outdoor sky deck, it’s a great place to spend New Year’s Eve.

Despite being a really large boat, the Serenity is very underfilled for this cruise. With a 450+ Capacity, there are only 280 Tickets for the Cruise on sale. All Seated VIP Tickets with an actual choice of Table. This makes it a great choice for those who really know what they want and are looking for a fairly refined evening.

The Entire top deck is open air and you get a fantastic view from the Skydeck. This is an open area for all so you can pop out at various points to take in the stunning Manhattan Skyline. And of course, the deck is easily large enough that all 280 guests will be able to come out and take in the various Fireworks displays going off all over the City.

The food and Bar line-up is pretty much identical to the Hornblower Infinity Cruise above. Expect decent but not extravagant Buffets and Regular Brand Drinks in the “Premium” Open Bar, which you will have 4 hours to go at.

5 – Atlantis – New York Cruises

• Location: Pier 81
• Duration: 4.5 Hours
• Cost: $529-699
• Capacity – 169
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Passed Hors-D-oeuvres and Dinner Buffer, Ice Cream Sundae Station, DJ Entertainment

Swanky Private Yacht Feel

The Atlantis is a Really swish vessel that Balldrop has managed to lease for the Evening. This has the look and feel of a Private Yacht and feels very swanky on board. With a Gold Bar, Marble effect Toilets, Dance Floor, Custom LED Lighting and sound System, ornate staircases, and outside viewing decks, this cruise should help you feel like a real billionaire on your own private voyage.

With only 169 guests aboard the cruise should also be pretty relaxed. The Vessel can take up to 240, so it’s not going to be crowded. With the fantastic sound system on board, it’s sure to still be lively though.

The Food service is very different here too. To kick the evening off there will be waiters passing out Hors-d’oeuvres, with a Buffet Dinner later in the evening. After Midnight, as you wait to head back to port, an Ice Cream sundae Station is offered which quite frankly sounds awesome.

The Open Bar is open for the full 4, hours and offers free-flowing champagne all night along with the usual suspects. The Gold Bar, is unfortunately just the regular mid-level brands and not top shelf, so not everything is Billionaire Level here.

This is a really pricy Cruise, with Taxes and fees it’s going to cost $634-$832 each and some tables need to be booked entirely. But while it’s expensive, this is probably the best Dinner menu, drinks service, and vessel available. It’s not going to be a huge Party Boat atmosphere but definitely a fun, lively but refined evening.

6 – Cloud 9 – Cloud 9 Charters

• Location: NY Skyport Marina
• Duration: 4.5 Hours
• Cost: $449
• Capacity – 145 Hours
• Inclusions: Open Bar, BBQ Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Small Intermate Luxury Cruise

Cloud 9 is one of the smaller boats on offer and sails from a completely different location. This will give a different perspective for the beginning and end of the cruise but is largely irrelevant for the majority, it only takes 30 or so minutes to reach the downtown where most Party Boats will congregate.

The Vessel has a really small capacity of 145 and this means a more attentive service and better food options than most vessels. The Boat is one of the smaller vessels on offer so even with a reduced capacity, it’s still going to feel lively.

This is an all-seated event, with the Tables on the lower decks and the Dancefloor on the Upper deck and spilling out onto the outdoor Sky Deck. This looks like a lot of fun and should be an excellent evening.

7 – Lucille – Empire

• Location: NY Skyport Marina
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Cost: $299- $349
• Capacity – 125
• Inclusions: Open Bar (3 Hours), Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Small Capacity All-Seated Cruise

This is the last cruise on the list that offers all-seating, and from here on we are mainly looking at party boats. The Lucille is an older vessel and is one of the “Chuggers” that have sailed these waters for decades.

The Lucille offers a very small capacity that should lead to a nice relaxed and intermate affair. The Boat offers 2-decks, a dance floor, a small outdoor viewing deck, and everything you need for a good night. One thing we should point out, the vessel has a 5-hour sail time, but the Open Bar is only for three hours, so remember to grab a drink at last orders to get you through to docking.

All of the Empire Cruise Ships sail from the Skyport Marina and offer a similar basic Buffet that is not unlimited.

8 – Harbor Lights – Empire

• Location: NY Skyport Marina
• Duration: 3.5 Hours
• Cost: $179-$249
• Capacity – 400
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment – 21 and Over

Large Party Boat Cruise – 21 and Over

This is the first of several Party Boats that Balldrop.com is offering. While all the above are going to be pretty lively party boats they are offering a more refined evening overall with a bit of dancing thrown in, but these next few options are primarily Party Boats, they offer General admission as the main option, and there will be lots of standing room only guests aboard to make the most of the Open Bar and really enjoy the evening.

The Harbor Lights Vessel is one of the larger boats offering the Party Boat Style Cruises. The Harbor Lights has two indoor decks, a large outdoor space, room for 400 guests, a large dance floor, an excellent Sound System, and multiple Bars. This one is likely to be a very lively bash and with prices starting at $179 for general admission, we think it’s going to be really cheap way to see in the New Year, in style!

9 – Harmony Yacht – Empire

• Location: NY Skyport Marina
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Cost: $159-199
• Capacity – 210
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment – 21 and Over

Budget No-Frills Party Boat – 21 and Over

The Harmony is a smaller boat and quite an old vessel. The Capacity is pretty small and should make for a fairly intimate party atmosphere. This is another “chugger” vessel and not the fanciest, but it should still offer a fun night and it offers the most competitive price on the list while still offering all the things that matter on a cruise like this, Free food and drink, music, dancing and stunning views of the City at Midnight.

the top Deck is a semi-covered affair which makes for great views but might get a little chilly, but there are always the lower decks that are indoor and heated.

10 – Nautical Empress – Independent

• Location: Pier 81
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Cost: $169-$219
• Capacity – 300
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Buffet, DJ Entertainment 21 and Over

Large Modern River Cruiser 21 and Over

The Nautical Empress is another basic Party Boat Cruise The vessel is basically the same harbor lights but this cruise is not operated by Empire and sails out of Pier 81. There are really reasonable seating options and the overall cruise offers are excellent value.

Details are a little thin on the ground for this one with no Dinner Menu or bar Menu publicized currently. We will update this accordingly, but overall it is an excellent vessel and should offer an excellent Party boat atmosphere.

11 – Cosmo NYC – Empire

• Location: NY Skyport Marina
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Cost: $189
• Capacity – 150
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment – 21 and Over

Quirky High-Eneergy Party Boat – 21 and Over

The Cosmo is an older working vessel that has been transformed into a fun Party Boat. It’s not much of a looker but will offer a fun party atmosphere at a great price.

12 – Liberty Bell – Empire

• Location: Pier 36
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Cost: $179- $249
• Capacity –
• Inclusions: Open Bar, American BBQ Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Old-School Steam Cruiser

Liberty Bell is an old converted river Steamer and comes with a load of heritage and a bargain price. The Vessel takes over 600 people and should provide a really lively atmosphere. The Vessel has 3 decks along with outdoor decks on every level.

The Chance to sail on this historic vessel may be a little lost on the party crowd that will take over on New Year’s Eve, but the layout and styling of the boat mean this is going to be a fun night.

More Ball Drop Cruises will be available in the coming Weeks…

City Experiences

Balldrop have a lot going on for New Year’s Eve and you may be forgiven for thinking they are the only name in town. But there are several other companies offering rally top-notch events on the Evening as well. City Experiences has leased some of their boats over to Balldrop, but they are still running their amazing dinner cruises as well. These offer fantastic Dining, Premium Packages, and some of the best boats in the business, and a team that delivers top-notch cruises like these every day of the year!

It’s worth noting that City Experiences Co-Sponser one of the Firework Displays so it’s a safe assumption they will provide an excellent view!

13 – City Experiences – Spirit Of New York

• Location: Pier 61
• Duration: 3 Hours
• Cost: $360-$450 plus Taxes and Fees
• Capacity – 600
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner BBQ Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Stunning Vessel and Great Service

The City Experiences Signature Dinner cruise from Pier 61 takes you aboard the Spirit of New York, one of the finest vessels sailing out of New York. This large river cruiseer has 3 decks including the Stunning upper Horizon Deck which overlooks the Empire Deck below. There is plenty of outdoor spaces including the Sky Deck up top and several levels of outdoor space at the front and back of the vessel, you can even ride up on the bow and get your own Titanic moment!

The Cruise is a fully seated affair offering several layers of refinement.

• Silver – This is the basic Package and just gets you on the boat and a seat at a shared table
• Gold – The Gold Package is pretty much the same only you get your very own bottle of Fizz and a souvenir Champagne Flute.
• Platinum – Premium adds seats at a window table offering the best views.

There is a full Open Bar for the duration of the cruise, the cruise departs at 10:00 pm so make sure you are there early to secure the best seating and not miss the departure. The Buffet is provided by Hornblower and is the same as the Balldrop Cruises that operate on Hornblower/City Experiences vessels.

We really like the City Experience Cruises and this is one of the best options on the market. We rank it below the Balldrop.com events just because we wanted to separate the different promotors out and we favor Balldrop.com for its awesome range and various boats, but you really can’t go wrong with a City Experiences Cruise.

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14 – City Experiences – Hornblower Sensation

• Location: Pier 15
• Duration: 3 Hours
• Cost: $360-$450 – Inclusive of Taxes and Fees
• Capacity – 425
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Classic River Cruiser

The Hornblower sensation cruise is basically the same as the Spirit of New York Above, but sailing from a different Dock and on a different vessel. The Sensation is more classical River Cruiser and not as fancy as the Spirit of New York. It still has multiple floors and lots of nice outdoor spots to watch the fireworks. Overall it’s a great cruise but we would always choose the Spirit of New York over the Sensation.

The one deciding factor could be the location of departure. Pier 15 is down on the bottom end of Manhattan near the Brooklyn Bridge and South Street Sea Port, and this just may be more convenient for you as there may be serious travel issues up in Midtown with Times Square being effectively closed

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15 – City Experiences Bateaux 

• Location: Pier 61
• Duration: 3.5 Hours
• Cost: $650-$1223 Inclusive of Taxes and Fees
• Capacity – 300
• Inclusions: Top Shelf Open Bar, 3-course Plated Meal, Live band

This one is pretty extreme in the pricing department! Including Taexs and Fees this cruise starts at a whopping $899 and runs to over $1200 for the Platinum Package. That is a lot of money and starts rivaling some of the best Rooftop Parties over in Times Square. So what do you get for your money?

First of all is the Vessel. The Bateux is a real beauty of a boat. This is a European Stly River Cruiser and offers a stunning Glass Roof and panoramic Dining experience. The be able to sit at your table and enjoy the view in heated comfort is pretty important as at midnight the temperature outside will be arctic. There is still a Bow and Stern Viewing deck for those who do want to brave the Cold.

This is also anything but a party boat. There is a Dancefloor and a party vibe at midnight, but this is a more civilized affair and the meal is served at the table rather than a buffet. The DJ entertainment of most vessels is replaced with a Live Band and overall the whole affair is just more sophisticated.

• Silver – This is the basic Package and just gets you on the boat and a seat at a shared table
• Gold – The Gold Package is pretty much the same only you get your very own bottle of Fizz and a souvenir Champagne Flute.
• Platinum – Premium adds seats at a window table offering the best views.

For those looking for a pumping party boat, this is not the Cruise for you, but if you want a more upmarket experience, where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while taking in some of the best views in the world all from the comfort of your table, the Bateaux New Years Eve Cruise might just be perfect.

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Circleline Cruises

• Location: Pier 81
• Duration: 3 Hours+
• Cost: $250 Early Bird!
• Capacity – 600
• Inclusions: Open Bar, Dinner Buffet, DJ Entertainment

Circleline is another Cruise operator that services New York on a Daily Basis from their Pier 81 home. These cruises are a touch more rough and ready than the competition as they are more known for general sightseeing tours rather than lavish party nights. However, Circleline has been running these New Year’s Eve Party boats for many years now and they know what they are doing.

Food is limited to Hors-D’oeuvres but the menu is excellent and you will not go hungry. The Bar selection is decent but it’s not really a premium offering just regular Spirits and Mixers, and low-shelf wine, but all perfectly drinkable. They do have a decent beer selection with several craft selections usually. There is a Midnight Toast for everyone over 21 as well.

Have Your Say

Have you been out on a New Year’s Eve Cruise in New York? Which company did you use, and what cruise did you take? How did you find the experience? Let us know in the comments below whatever you have to say and if you have any questions about this year’s up and coming events.

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