The New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade is an annual NY Harbor wide event - designated for the Saturday Evening after Thanksgiving. All dinner boats, work boats, water taxis, tall ships, ferries and private boaters are called upon to brave the the late fall crisp air and light their boats in full Ft. Lauderdale fashion for a holiday-spirited lighted boat parade!
The Yacht Manhattan is the lead boat for the parade! The route features tight passes along the Hoboken, Jersey City, Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan Waterfronts with a tight double backing under the Manhattan Bridge so guests aboard can see the parade itself! Watch for Santa's arrival into New York Harbor aboard the yacht at the tail end!
On this 2.5-hour cruise, take in picturesque views from our heated glassed-in observatory. Highlights along the way include:
The Yacht Manhattan is the lead boat for the parade! The route features tight passes along the Hoboken, Jersey City, Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan Waterfronts with a tight double backing under the Manhattan Bridge so guests aboard can see the parade itself! Watch for Santa's arrival into New York Harbor aboard the yacht at the tail end!
On this 2.5-hour cruise, take in picturesque views from our heated glassed-in observatory. Highlights along the way include:
- Battery Park, South Street Seaport, the Financial District, and the Brooklyn Bridge
- Governor's Island, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Parts of Brooklyn and Queens and the New York City skyline
What Is Not Included?
Gratuity is not included in the price of your cruise. Parties of 12 or more will be contacted shortly after purchasing tickets to provide credit card information for an additional charge of 18% gratuity.
Meeting Location
Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) - W. 22nd and Hudson River (Manhattan, NY)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Do cruises sell out frequently?
- Cruises often sell out, and are rarely open for booking more than a week in advance. Check the website or call the week of the date you would like to attend to check availability for public trips and to book as early as possible.
- Is there parking and how much is it?
- There is parking on all the piers at Chelsea Piers. You must be south-bound on the West Side Hwy in order to access the turn-in for parking on Piers 61, 60, and 59. Up to 3 hours of parking is $22, and up to 4 hours is $32.
- What type of ticket should I buy if I'm bringing a very young child?
- For children between the ages of 3 and 14 you should purchase a reduced price Child ticket. Children ages 2 and younger ride for free, but you’ll still need to enter the appropriate number of Infant tickets labeled “Free” when purchasing. All passengers, regardless of age, must have a ticket, so please make sure your entire party is accounted for in this way.
- What exactly do we see on the cruise?
- The Manhattan travels south from Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River, passing the West Village and Tribeca portion of Hudson River Park. She then rounds Battery Park, heading up the East River to travel under the Brooklyn Bridge and then making a wide pass through the New York City Harbor to grab a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Financial District and the complete NYC skyline before heading north on the Hudson River to return to Chelsea Piers. Expect to see 40-50 other passenger boats lit with Christmas lights for the Festival of Lights boat parade!
- Is food available on the boat?
- We will have light hors d' oeuvres featured on this cruise, as well as complimentary beer, wine, Champagne, Jacques Torres Hot Chocolate and holiday treats! You are more than welcome to bring light snacks or picnic meals on board!
- How about drinks? Should I bring those too?
- Famous Jacques Torres hot chocolate will be served on board, along with a standard open bar (soda, wine, beer, or Champagne). Mixed Drinks will be available for purchase.
- Is the Motor Yacht Manhattan safe?
- Absolutely. Along with your captain, there is a minimum of two crew members on every sail to make sure you feel comfortable and at home on the water. We are stocked with water, beverages, and life jackets should you feel you need one.
- How steady is the cruise? Am I likely to get seasick?
- It is very rare for our guests to become seasick. While most people do not experience any sea sickness on the Motor Yacht Manhattan, you may want to consider light medication if you normally take it for motion sickness. We cannot officially advise you to take any medication, however.
- Is there an age limit for these cruises?
- While there is no age limit for the cruise, all attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Where does the cruise finish?
- Our cruise will end at the same pier from which it departed.
- Can I get a refund or reschedule my tickets after buying them?
- Because we are guaranteeing your space on the cruise, tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled once purchased.
- Is gratuity included in the price of the cruise?
- Gratuity is not included in the price of the cruise. Parties of 12 or more will be contacted directly by Classic Harbor Line within 48 hours of purchasing tickets to provide credit card information for an additional charge of 18% gratuity.
- Do you ever cancel cruises due to bad weather?
- The cruise runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where we are forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability), receive credit towards a future event, or receive a refund.
- What happens if it starts raining when we're out on our cruise?
- The aft-deck observatory of the Manhattan is a completely enclosed area with a roof, so in the event of rain, you will be covered.
- Is the Manhattan handicap accessible?
- The Manhattan is accessible to those with walkers and canes. While the exterior deck is also accessible to those in wheelchairs, the Manhattan is not completely wheelchair accessible by average standards. If you are in a wheelchair, please keep in mind that there is unfortunately no access into the main cabin (the back interior observatory). In addition, areas such as the on-board restrooms have limited access as they are located down several steps. A guest using a wheelchair who would like to reach the back observatory must be comfortable with being carried down by our crew. For this reason, we cannot safely accommodate guests who require this service if they weigh more than 175 pounds. If you will need this service, please click the “Contact SailNYC” link to discuss with us before purchasing tickets.
- Can I book a private charter cruise?
- Yes, private cruises can be a unique and elegant event for your group. If you are interested in booking a private cruise, please contact us by clicking the "Contact SailNYC" link.
- Is smoking permitted during the cruise?
- No, smoking is not permitted anywhere on the boat.
- Are gift certificates available for this cruise?
- No, not for this particular cruise.
Refund/Rescheduling Policy
- Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
Other Policies
- Activity takes place rain or shine.
- The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability), receive credit for a future event, or receive a refund.
- Parties of 12 or more will be contacted for an additional gratuity charge of 18%.
- Classic Harbor Line will contact you directly within 48 hours of your purchase to take your credit card information for the additional charge. You must be reachable at the telephone number and email you provide.
Classic Harbor Line
If you are in to comfortable cruising or the Gilded Era of Yachting, be sure to experience our 1920’s style “commuter” yacht, Manhattan.
She was built here in the state of New York by Scarano Boat Building in 2005 and is currently the only non-sailing yacht in our Classic Harbor Line fleet. We take great pride in her New York heritage and we additionally take great pride in serving the very best of New York beers, wines, cheeses, produce & famous local bakery aboard her decks.
Edible Manhattan wrote that we are “Not Your Mother’s Circle Line”. We strive to surpass any “tourist” expectations of what a “harbor cruise” entails: we include a “Taste of NY” in our menus, maintain an unprecedented level of hospitality and we do so aboard a special, beautiful, intimate yacht built by NY craftsmen.
Classically-lined & comfortable with teak decks and mahogany rails, she can accommodate up to 50 for dinner & 75 for passed hors d’ oeuvres. She features an enclosed, cushioned observatory surrounded by large windows & skylights. She is equipped for all weather with a/c & heating and thus operates comfortably from early spring through New Year’s Day.
She was built here in the state of New York by Scarano Boat Building in 2005 and is currently the only non-sailing yacht in our Classic Harbor Line fleet. We take great pride in her New York heritage and we additionally take great pride in serving the very best of New York beers, wines, cheeses, produce & famous local bakery aboard her decks.
Edible Manhattan wrote that we are “Not Your Mother’s Circle Line”. We strive to surpass any “tourist” expectations of what a “harbor cruise” entails: we include a “Taste of NY” in our menus, maintain an unprecedented level of hospitality and we do so aboard a special, beautiful, intimate yacht built by NY craftsmen.
Classically-lined & comfortable with teak decks and mahogany rails, she can accommodate up to 50 for dinner & 75 for passed hors d’ oeuvres. She features an enclosed, cushioned observatory surrounded by large windows & skylights. She is equipped for all weather with a/c & heating and thus operates comfortably from early spring through New Year’s Day.
for SailNYC



