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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our cruises, directions, ticketing, and more.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
How to Get There?
We have two convenient locations for your cruise experience:
- Midtown Location: Pier 83, West 42nd Street and 12th Avenue (Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan)
- Downtown Location: Pier 16, South Street Seaport (Lower Manhattan)
We proudly operate 364 days a year from our Midtown location, offering a variety of cruise options. Our Downtown location operates select cruises, including the Liberty Super Express and Statue at Sunset cruises.
Pro Tip: Be sure to confirm your departure location on your ticket before heading to the pier!
MIDTOWN | PIER 83
Address: Pier 83, West 42nd Street and 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Subway Directions:
- Take the 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, or R train to Times Square-42nd Street.
- From 5th Avenue, take the B, D, F to 42nd Street.
- Walk 5 avenues west to Pier 83 (about 1 mile or 1.6km).
Bus Directions:
- From 42nd Street, take the M42 bus directly to the Circle Line Pier.
- From 49th Street, take the M50 bus directly to the pier.
Parking:
Parking is available at Circle Line Sightseeing, Pier 83.
- Weekdays: $35 before 3 PM, $40 after 3 PM
- Weekends: $40
DOWNTOWN | PIER 16
Address: 89 South Street Southport, New York, NY 10038
Subway Directions:
- Take the 2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z, or M train to Fulton Street.
- Walk east on Fulton Street to Water Street and the South Street Seaport.
Parking:
- Parking is available at 167 Front St. Edison ParkFast.
RESERVATIONS AND TICKETING
Where will my cruise depart from?
We recommend double checking the name of your cruise and pier location to make sure you arrive at the correct pier for departure. For directions to Pier 83 or Pier 16, please see the directions section here.
Pier 83 Cruises
- Best of New York
- Landmarks
- Liberty Midtown
- Harbor Lights
- Seasonal Cruises (July 4th, Pup Cruises, Summer Dance Series, Bear Mountain Oktoberfest, New Year's Eve)
Pier 16 Cruises
- Liberty Super Express
- Statue at Sunset (Seasonal Cruise)
How does our Ticket Pricing work?
Circle Line uses a dynamic pricing approach to setting ticket prices. This means that you will find our tickets priced lower during times with less demand, like Monday through Thursday and during the colder months of October through February. We do this because our boats have a limited capacity. We weren't the first to come up with this idea: this comes from airlines and hotels.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
No, but a reserved Ticket guarantees your seat on board. You can bypass the box office line and go straight to the security line to enter our pier area. We encourage mobile ticketing for a contactless and faster boarding experience.
Please note: We are not able to accept reservations from Attraction Pass partners, except via CityPass®.
Pier 83
The CityPASS® for the Liberty Midtown Cruise and the Landmarks Cruise must be redeemed directly on the CityPASS® app, my.citypass.com. For the Best of NYC Cruise and the Harbor Lights, please visit citypass.circleline.com.
The C3 and C-All passes for the Liberty Midtown Cruise must be redeemed directly on the CityPASS® app, my.citypass.com. For the Landmarks Cruise, the Best of NYC Cruise and the Harbor Lights, please visit citypass.circleline.com.
CityPASS® guests may upgrade to Premier on site when available. Premier seating is not available for upgrade in advance with the CityPASS®.
Pier 16
The CityPASS® for the Liberty Super Express must be redeemed in person at Pier 16, located at 89 South Street. We recommend arriving 45 minutes prior to the chosen departure. The pass cannot be redeemed online in advance.
What is Premier?
Premier tickets are available for Liberty Midtown, Landmarks, Best of NYC and Harbor Lights cruises.
Premier tickets provide an upgraded VIP experience with early boarding, more comfortable seating and one free Official Circle Line Souvenir Tourbook to take back home with you!
The location of Premier Seating depends on the boat class scheduled for your tour and is not always guaranteed depending on boat availability. Boat schedules vary by day:
- Liberty Midtown (1 hr) is usually on a 3-level boat, so the Premier section is located outside on the top deck with a private concessions stand. On rare occasion, if a 2-level boat is scheduled, the Premier seating section will be inside.
- Landmarks (1.5 hr) is also usually on a 3-level boat, so the Premier section is located outside on the top deck with a private concessions stand. On rare occasion, if a 2-level boat is scheduled, the Premier seating section will be inside.
- Harbor Lights (2 hr) sets sail on both 2-level and 3-level boats. If it sails on a 2-level boat, the Premier seating section will be inside. If it sails on a 3-level boat, the Premier seating section will be located outside on the top deck.
- Best of NYC (2.5 hr) is always on a 2-level boat, so the Premier section is located inside only.
During colder months, Premier seating for all cruises is located indoors only.
When available, you can select Premier Tickets during checkout.
Note: Premier seating on all ships is only accessible via stairs. Guests unable to climb stairs will not be able to take advantage of Premier seating options.
If I have a CityPASS®, how do I reserve my place on a cruise?
First, purchase CityPASS online for immediate, paperless mobile ticket delivery. Next, CLICK HERE to reserve your cruise date & time. CityPASS® guests without an advance reservation can also reserve at our ticket office. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure and go directly to security and the boarding line.
If I have an Attraction Pass (GoCity Pass, New York Pass, Explorer Pass, or Sightseeing Pass), how do I reserve my cruise ticket(s)?
These pass holders can't reserve on our website in advance. Instead, please arrive at Pier 83/Pier 16 45-minutes prior to departure time to exchange your pass for tickets. You may also come to our Pier 83/Pier 16 ticket office up to 2 days prior to your desired cruise time to get your tickets.
Passes can only be redeemed at the same location as the chosen departure and are subject to availability.
May I change my ticket(s) to a different cruise?
Yes! If you wish to change your reserved ticket purchased online, just come to the box office to exchange it for any cruise of equal or lesser price. If the new cruise has a greater price than the one you have already purchased, you'll need to simply pay the difference between the two cruises.
Please note: We do not offer cancellations or refunds. However, exchanges for different cruises are allowed.
How much are children's tickets?
Children under 3 ride free! Please ask at the box office for an infant ticket. We offer discounts for children 3 - 12 years old. Please check specific cruises on our website or ask at the box office.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we offer select discounts for students, military personnel, and New York City residents. Please visit our Discounts Page for more details.
Do you offer packages for Groups?
Yes! We offer amazing packages, food and drink menus for groups of any size. Learn more on our Groups & Charters page.
Can you accommodate schools and camp groups?
We sure can! A Circle Line cruise is fun and educational. Learn more here, and we'll be delighted to help you plan.
Can I charter an entire boat?
Yes, you can! Visit our Groups & Charters page for more information or call us at (212) 630-8885, and one of our expert advisors will help you create an unforgettable event.
RESCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS
What is your refund policy?
All ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds for bad weather, tardiness, unforeseen route modifications, or any other reason except in the extremely rare instance where we must cancel the cruise entirely.
If you've planned your trip and miss the boat, we’ll make certain you don’t miss out with a one-time courtesy invitation to reschedule your cruise within 90 days of the original event date instead. Reschedules are only made possible for guests with daily sightseeing cruise tickets and do not apply to specialty cruises or holiday events (see excluded cruises below).
To reschedule your cruise, please provide the following information in an email to guestservices@support.nycl.com
- Name:
- Order Number:
- Cruise Name:
- Desired Reschedule Date & Time:
Special cruises NOT available for rescheduling; 4th of July, New Year's Eve, Bear Mountain, Dog Cruises & all Dance Cruises.
You can expect to receive confirmation within 24 hours of receiving your completed email. Please visit our cruise page prior to your selection for any updates or changes to our schedule.
If you do not have a barcoded ticket that was emailed to you by Circle Line or by a third-party seller, you most likely have a "voucher" or a Pass that needs to be exchanged at our box office for a ticket. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to departure to do this. If you our cruise is sold out, which happens infrequently, you may request a refund directly from the third party. Circle Line can't issue refunds sold by our third party.
We do not make reservations for our cruises except for groups of 15 people or more. There is a first come first serve policy for groups of less than 15 people on all of our regular sightseeing cruises.
BOARDING AND ON BOARD EXPERIENCE
Boarding Information
Boarding begins 30-minutes before departure, but please arrive 45-minutes to 1-hour prior to departure to allow time for obtaining boarding passes and heading through security.
Do I need to print my tickets?
No. But please make sure that your tickets are available on your mobile phone. If you received an email from us with tickets as a PDF attachment, we just need to be able to scan the barcode in the ticket.
Accessibility
Guest that require the use of a standard wheelchair will have access to the first level of our vessels.
Pier 16
Guests utilizing electric wheelchair/scooters would not be able to board our Liberty Super Express/Statue at Sunset due to the narrow width of the gangway for boarding. Standard wheelchairs are permissible.
Pier 83
Guests utilizing an electric wheelchair/scooter will be able to board. The Pier 83 gangways allow enough clearance for boarding. Our highly trained and experienced marine team are available to provide the proper equipment to assist with safe & easy boarding and deboarding.
*Note: Premier seating is only on 2nd and 3rd levels depending upon the vessel.
Translation App
Our Translation app is available on smart phone devices. Languages include Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, & Chinese. Listen to a guided audio tour in the language of your choice as you sail down the Hudson to see all of NYC’s famous buildings and landmarks from the water. This audio tour will automatically advance as the boat moves so all you have to do is select your language and press play. It only works while you’re moving on the water.
Download the app through Google Play Store or Apple Store. Guests are encouraged to bring their own headphones/earbuds as not to disturb fellow passengers. Transcripts are also available through the app.
Will your cruises leave on time?
Yes! Our boats typically depart exactly when scheduled. PLEASE leave enough time for traffic and transit delays and plan to arrive early. If you do miss your cruise, you will be able to reschedule. However, we do not issue refunds for tardiness. Please see the rescheduling section for more details.
Can I bring my own food or drinks on board?
To ensure cleanliness and safety, we ask that guests do not bring outside food or beverages on board. Rest assured, our snack bar is well-stocked, offering a range of snacks as well as a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails for your enjoyment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at guestservices@support.nycl.com.
What kind of food and drinks are available on board?
We offer a wide variety of concessions, including hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, fresh sandwiches, salads, and assorted breakfast items (during morning cruises). Beverages include coffee, tea, soda, bottled water, and a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. Click Here to view our Full Onboard Menu
How close do the boats get to the Statue of Liberty?
All of our sightseeing boats cruise within yards (meters) of Lady Liberty for an absolutely incredible view. You’ll feel like you’re actually on the island!
Does the Best of NYC Cruise actually circumnavigate Manhattan?
Yes! The Best of NYC Cruise circles the entire island of Manhattan and offers the most comprehensive tour available. There are however, occasions out of our control when we cannot fully circumnavigate the island due to high tides. If you have concerns, please give us a call as early as 9:30 AM the morning of the day you plan to take a cruise (212) 563-3200.
Is smoking allowed on the boat?
Smoking is not permitted on Circle Line’s regular sightseeing cruises including Liberty, Statue of Liberty Express, Statue by Night, Landmarks, Best of New York and Harbor Lights. *Smoking may be permitted in designated areas on Circle Line’s Music Cruises, Bear Mountain Cruises, 4th of July and New Year’s Eve Cruises. Please plan your trip accordingly.
Are the boats pet friendly?
Sorry, animals are not permitted on the Circle Line boats, except for certified service animals.
Please note For the safety of our staff, other guests and the service animal, our boats are not an ideal environment for training service animals. Our boats are closed spaces where passengers and animals can’t disembark in case a situation deteriorates, therefore we unfortunately can’t accommodate service animals that are in training.
What will I see on my Cruise?
Please see individual cruise pages for cruise routes and highlights, but note that all of our sightseeing cruises take you close to the Statue of Liberty for incredible photos and selfies.
ABOUT US
When did Circle Line Begin?
Circle Line was established in 1945.
Who owns Circle Line Now?
Circle Line is owned and operated by New York Cruise Lines.
Discover more about Circle Line's rich history and its journey since 1945.
Customer Service & General Inquiries
Phone: (212) 563-3200, 7 days a week, 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Email us: guestservices@support.nycl.com
We're happy to answer any of your questions!
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