One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful architecture and skyline of New York City is by boat on the open water. There are a number of different boat tour and cruise companies that exist in NYC and will take you on an amazing journey with some great views and allow you to get a whole new perspective on the city.
However, with so many different options to choose from and potential routes to take, how do you know what cruise to go with? Well, there are a few things to look out for that will hopefully make your choice a little bit easier. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but should help you be able to decide which cruise or boat tour you want to go enjoy.
Make Sure it Hits all the Points You Want
The first thing to consider is the actual path the boat tour/cruise will take. Each company will have a different route and destinations, so if there is a particular place you want to see or view you want to get to, make sure the cruise you ultimately choose passes through it.
For example, your choice may differ if you want a ferry to the Statue of Liberty or want one that circles Manhattan. Doing a little bit of online research and visiting the company’s website is usually enough as most will have descriptions about their schedules and routes.
Consider the Costs and Length of the Cruise
As always, the price of an experience is one of the factors you must consider when choosing which one to go with. The costs for each cruise (as well as the length of the cruise in terms of time), will differ between each company. Also, each company may offer different cruises, with different prices, so research is important.
The good thing is, many of the boat tours available in New York City are relatively affordable and won’t cost you too much at all for what you get. Many will cost you less than a typical meal in NYC and are a great way to spend an afternoon.
Choose the Right Type of Cruise
While you might think all tours are essentially the same except for their prices and routes, that isn’t the case. In reality, there are several different types of boat tours and cruises that you can choose from in New York City.
Some will offer dinner, some will be hop-on/hop-off and some might be a combo boat/bus tour. The choice is up to you when it comes to which type you want to try, and who knows, maybe you’ll try them all!
Make Sure it is Reputable and Has Good Reviews
As with any company or service in the modern day, you should look online and consider the reviews and/or ratings of the various cruises out there. Many websites will publish ratings and reviews, but if not, a simple Google search will likely reveal some third-party reviews.
Also, it is worthwhile to talk to any friends or family members that have travelled to New York City. Maybe they had taken a boat tour there and will have a recommendation for you. If a company or cruise has awful reviews all over the place, you definitely want to avoid them.