When you think of the Christmas season in New York City, taking a cruise is probably not on your list. After all, it’s quite frigid in NYC by December! However, it’s time to think about cruises in a different light. In fact, each of our top 10 Christmas Holiday Cruises in NYC will change your expectations of what it’s like to go out on a boat during wintertime.
Rather than freezing, you’ll be full of the warmth of the holiday season. Additionally, cruises allow you to go inside the ship, which means that the weather won’t even matter. There’s something extra special about taking your children on a cruise with Santa Claus or partying through the night!
Join us as we count down 10 of the most unforgettable holiday cruise experiences!
Top Holiday Cruises
There are a wide variety of different cruise types available throughout the holidays. Whether you want to go with your kids or take in an adult-only function, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for below. Put on your favorite ugly Christmas sweater, and get ready to enjoy a whole new side of the holidays!
1. Statue & Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise
Gather your young ones and join Classic Harbor Line for this intimate, cozy, and affordable cruise for all ages. You’ll board the Manhattan or Manhattan II ship for a 1.5-hour trip through some of New York City’s most memorable sites—cruise past the Statue of Liberty as you enjoy cocoa and the holiday décor onboard the ship. You’ll also get to see the NYC skyline, which is among the best in the world!
This experience will run you between $58-$68 dollars per adult, $28 per child, and $14 per infant. The Statue & Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise will also include light snacks such as holiday cookies. Aside from the Statue of Liberty, you’ll also get to take in Ellis Island, the Financial District, and World One. Enjoy your private table, listen to the captain’s light narration, and even have a spiked cocoa—don’t worry, your kids won’t know the difference.
2. Santa Fun Cruise with Kids Activities
If you’ve got little kids, you know how important it is to take them to see Santa each year. But you also know how arduous the lines at your local mall can be. The solution? Book your spot onboard Event Cruises NYC Santa Fun Cruise with Kids Activities! Not only will your kids get their chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, but you’ll be given a free glass of sparkling wine while you wait. Now that’s how you ring in the holidays!
Holiday activities for the kids include meeting Santa and his elves, writing Santa a letter, live holiday storytelling, Christmas carol singing, painting ornaments or decorating a Santa hat, and decorating a Christmas tree with stickers or decorating a gingerbread house. At the end of the cruise, your kids will get to take their crafts with them, too!
Join the cruise, and you’ll ride past the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Jane’s Carousel, Manhattan Skyline, and Battery City Park. Upgrade your 1.5-hour experience to the premium package, and you’ll also get free sweet treats! All of this for only $59-$79 per adult and $49-$69 per child.
3. Holiday Jazz Cruise
Whether you want to get a break from your kids or just don’t have kids, the Holiday Jazz Cruise from Classic Harbor Line has got you covered in style! On this 1.5-hour cruise, you’ll get to see New York City’s lights as you enjoy a live jazz trio presenting holiday favorites. Take in everything the city has to offer as you nosh on holiday cookies and drink spiked hot cocoa. You’ll also get free champagne, which means you can get a buzz as the ship’s captain takes care of everything.
Although this isn’t a narrated tour, it is ideal for couples, jazz enthusiasts, tourists, and co-workers. Along with the jazz, you’ll also be treated to views of the Financial District, Battery Park, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governors Island. All this as you soak in the opulence of the ship’s heated salon. Tickets start at only $106 for this adult-only cruise.
4. The Holy Cocoa & Carols Holiday Cruise: Traditional Christmas Music & Hymns
If a secular cruise isn’t your thing, then how about one with a more faith-based approach? Join Classic Harbor Line as they celebrate the origins of Christmas with their Traditional Christmas Music & Hymns Cruise. With a warm and cozy ambiance, you and your family and/or friends can enjoy a live musical performance of some of the very best traditional Christmas music.
Ride past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, the Governor’s Island, and the Financial District. If you’d like to see New York City all lit up, choose an evening departure time. Either way, enjoy the ship’s festive lights and decorations as you imbibe house-made hot cocoa—and get it spiked if you’d like! There will also be Christmas cookies to sate your appetite.
Tickets range from $106-$128. All cruises that leave after 1:45 p.m. each day are for adults only.
5. Sunset & Holiday Cocoa Cruise
Calling all adults! Is there anything better than seeing the splendor of sunset over the water? How about if there’s also cocoa, holiday music, champagne, and Christmas cookies? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you board Classic Harbor Line’s Sunset & Holiday Cocoa Cruise!
During your 1.5-hour cruise, you’ll get to see the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Financial District. All the while, you’ll be seated at a private table that’s just for your group. Holiday garland will dress your table up, as will nearby poinsettias and other classic holiday fare.
Please note that this particular cruise strongly recommends reservations. Tickets cost between $86-$96 per adult.
Christmas Dinner Cruises
What if you want to have an actual meal on the cruise instead of just holiday-themed snacks? Fortunately, the rest of the list has got you covered! Take a Christmas dinner cruise in NYC—or a holiday dinner cruise in NYC—to ensure you get full as you participate in a ship ride past some of the city’s best sites!
6. Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise
Want to get away from having to make a big dinner for Christmas Eve? Look no further than Event Cruises NYC Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise! This is a one-of-a-kind, 3-hour cruise that only sails once per year. In fact, upper deck seating is already completely sold out for the 2023 season, but main deck seating is still available.
Your dinner options include:
Entrée
NY Strip Steak
Roasted Half Cornish Hen
Cajun Halibut
Vegan Curry
Appetizer
Beets & Burrata
Prosciutto & Figs
Scallop Carpaccio
Kid Entrée
Mac and Cheese
Seasonal Fruit Bowl
Dessert
New York Cheesecake
Chocolate Mousse
There will also be a DJ on the ship to play today’s hottest hits. Additionally, you’ll get to cruise past Midtown Skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Hudson Yards, Lower Manhattan Skyline, Statue of Liberty, New Jersey Skyline, Jane’s Carousel, and the Empire State Building. All this will only cost you $159 for adults and $109 for kids!
7. NYC Holiday Brunch Cruise aboard Yacht Northern Lights
Join a 2-hour cruise around NYC on Classic Harbor’s Lines yacht the Northern Lights for their NYC Holiday Brunch Cruise! Take in your elegant, comfortable assigned seat and dig into one of the most plentiful brunches you’ve ever had. Everyone can join in, too, as there are vegetarian and gluten-free options to choose from!
You’ll get to see some of the city’s best sites on this holiday cruise in NYC, including the George Washington Bridge, the Upper West Side, the Financial District, South Street Seaport, Battery Park, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, parts of Queens and Brooklyn, and the New York City skyline.
Food choices will include:
Seasonal fruit
Fresh bakery and bagels
Craft sausages
Stuffed quiche
Kale salad
Pastries
Classic smoked salmon display
Be sure to order a Mimosa Bucket in advance! Prices are $134-$148 for adults, $78 for kids aged 3-14, and $18 for infants.
8. Premier Holiday Dinner Cruise with Cocoa
If you’re interested in Christmas Cruises from New York, then this one should definitely be on your radar. Event Cruises NYC presents their Premier Holiday Dinner Cruise with Cocoa, which is a 3-hour cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers. Your ticket grants you unlimited hot cocoa and a glass of wine, along with access to the 3-course plated dinner!
Your meal options include:
Entrée
Braised Short Ribs
Roasted Half Hen
Atlantic Salmon
Tamarind Vegetable Curry
Appetizer
Beef & Burrata
Bibb Lettuce Salad
Crab Cake
Kids Entrée
Cheeseburger
Mac and Cheese
Fruit Platter
Dessert
Chocolate Cake
Fruit Platter
New York Cheesecake
Ice Cream
There will be a live DJ aboard to spin today’s hottest hits. You’ll also get to see the Midtown Skyline, Lower Manhattan Skyline, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, New Jersey Skyline, Jane’s Carousel, Manhattan Bridge, Empire State Building, and Hudson Yards. Tickets range from $155-$185 for adults and $145-$175 for children.
9. Around Manhattan Holiday Brunch Cruise
You could go on a Christmas dinner cruise in NYC, but why not enjoy a fantastic brunch instead? This 2.75-hour ship trip will fully circumnavigate the island of Manhattan. In other words, the Manhattan or Manhattan II cruise ship will pass underneath all 18 bridges of Manhattan and Brooklyn!
You’ll also get to see the Williamsburg, the United Nations Building, Roosevelt Island, World Trade One, the complete New York City skyline, parts of Queens and Brooklyn, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, South Street Seaport, the Financial District, Battery Park, the George Washington Bridge, and the Upper West Side.
As you enjoy your trip on the Around Manhattan Holiday Brunch Cruise, you’ll also be treated to a truly mouthwatering meal 3-course family style brunch, including:
First Course
Fresh Muffins, Donuts, and Brioche Baskets. Comes with Chef Flavored Cream Cheese, Butter, and Fruit Preserves.
Second Course
Bagels, Locs, and Croissants. Comes with cucumber, pickled onions, tomatoes, fresh dill, and capers.
Third Course
Salad-Waldorf Salad with Kale
Chef Choice Veggie Frittata
Turkey Bacon/Pork Bacon
OrHoney Glazed Ham /4-pepper Chicken Sausage
Dietary Restrictions Alternatives
Gluten free waffles
Gluten free bagels
Turkey Bacon/Chicken Sausage/Beyond Sausage
You can also enjoy your choice of a complimentary mimosa, Bloody Mary, wine, champagne, or beer. Tickets cost $148-$164 for adults and $86 for children.
10. Christmas Day Dinner Cruise
Some people don’t have a big family gathering to go to, or they simply don’t want to be the host this year. Why not forget about all the worry that goes into setting up a big family gathering by joining Event Cruises NYC’s Christmas Day Dinner Cruise? After all, there’s nothing wrong with parents getting to relax and take it easy on Christmas too!
This 3-hour cruise includes the Hudson and East Rivers. You’ll get to take in astounding views of the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, Jane’s Carousel, Manhattan Bridge, New Jersey Skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Midtown Skyline, and Lower Manhattan Skyline. Plus, there’s a DJ onboard who will be playing the hottest hits.
When it’s dinner time, you can nosh on an elevated Christmas menu that includes:
Entrée
NY Strip Steak
Roasted Half Cornish Hen
Cajun Halibut
Vegan Curry
Appetizer
Beets & Burrata
Prosciutto & Figs
Scallop Carpaccio
Kid Entrée
Mac and Cheese
Seasonal Fruit Bowl
Dessert
New York Cheesecake
Chocolate Mousse
The upper deck seating is already completely sold out for Christmas Day 2023, but there are still tickets for the main deck available. Adults are $159 each, and kids are $109 each.
BONUS: The Best Holiday Cruise in NYC for New Year’s Eve!
The holiday season includes much more than simply Christmas. New Year’s Eve is another of the city’s biggest nights as people around the world tune in to watch the ball drop in Times Square. If you don’t want to join all the hubbub, though, what should you do to celebrate the coming of 2024?
There are several cruises that will set sail on NYE and New Year’s Day. They will give you a much better position to celebrate than standing wedged in Times Square for several hours. Which one is the best of the best, though? Well, it’s all a matter of opinion, but we really like this one.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise on Yacht Northern Lights
Even if you miss taking a Christmas Cruise in NYC, you can still take a 3.5-hour cruise while wearing your finest formal wear aboard Classic Harbor Line’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise on Yacht Northern Lights. Although a full dinner isn’t served, there will be a lot of hors d' oeuvres, along with a 5-glass flight of champagne!
You’ll enjoy:
A vintage American Bubbly rated 91 points. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Sparkling Brut, Napa Valley, California.
A Grand Cru Champagne - a 'grower' champagne. Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru.
A Cremant, which is a strictly controlled regional bubbly. Francois Montand brut rosé. Jura, France.
Cleto Chiarli, Lambrusco di Sorbara. Red sparkling wine with 90 points. Vecchia Modena, 2022. Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Top 20 Champagne brands. Draippier, Carte D'or Brut, Champagne, France.
At the same time, the following hors d’ oeuvres will be served:
House-made cheese pastry straws.
An assortment of international and local artisan cheeses. Served with honey, jam, and dried fruits.
A charcuterie board, served with mustard, cornichons, and onion confit.
Roasted forest mushrooms with thyme and sage.
Smoked salmon with fresh dill, toasted pistachio, capers, pickled red onion, and crème fraise.
Olive display.
Assorted gourmet crackers and flatbreads.
There will also be a variety of different food offerings such as Poached Pear with Crème Fraiche, Truffle Infused Devil Egg, Seared Filet with Carrot Roulade, etc.
All this would usually be dreadfully expensive, but you’ll get to enjoy the cruise, champagne, and food for your ticket price. Plus, there will be dancing, New Year’s Eve Fireworks, and several highlights throughout the city. Be sure to book your tickets now, as they won’t last! Tickets range from $458-$498 per adult.
Give the Gift of a Fantastic NYC Cruise!
As you can see, there are a few cruise lines that love to throw a big celebration for the holidays. New York Harbor Tours offers amazing private tours in the spring, summer, and fall. Our boats carry up to 16 passengers, and are perfect for smaller events and parties. Give this unique and exciting gift with a gift certificate so that you can give someone close to you an unimaginable private cruise after the holiday season!
Can you imagine seeing Manhattan or the Daytime Loop on a cruise ship that’s just for you and your friends? Unlike the cruises mentioned above, you can have a truly intimate experience as you ride in either a 6-passenger boat or a 16-passenger yacht.