Circle Line: 2.5hr - Complete Manhattan Island Cruise
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The first, the original, the iconic Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Visitors’ #1 choice for sightseeing cruises in New York. With over 80 million passengers and counting, forget the rest and choose the best for your visit. Circle Line offers the largest fleet of sightseeing vessels with the largest boats. Comfortable seating with lots of legroom and outdoor and indoor space for the best views of the New York skyline.
Sit back and unwind on a relaxing two and a half hour cruise around Manhattan Island. You'll see all the sights on the only New York cruise to circumnavigate Manhattan in its entirety.
Choose between two ticket types:
Cruise with Standard Seating which includes general admission boarding and seating available on the outdoor deck or inside the temperature-controlled cabin.
Cruise with Premium Seating which includes advanced boarding and exclusive indoor seating area in the temperature-controlled cabin with premium-cushioned seating.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For children/infants under the age of 3, please ask at the box office for an infant ticket; it is free of charge.
Please arrive at least 30-minutes prior to the departure time for boarding.
Food and drinks are NOT allowed to be brought on board
Non-English-speaking guests can now make the most of their cruise with the free Circle Line Sightseeing app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app lets you follow along with a guided tour in your language, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Be sure to bring your own headphones, as headsets aren't provided. Download the app today and enjoy exploring New York City like never before!
What To Expect
Part entertainer, part historian, your knowledgeable tour guide brings New York's breathtaking sights and fascinating history to life. Beverages, food and souvenirs are available for purchase on board.
Empire State Building
See New York's most iconic building along with several other notable buildings that make the Manhattan skyline unforgettable.
Options
Cruise with Premier Seating
Advance Boarding. Exclusive indoor seating area in the temperature-controlled cabin with premium-cushioned seating.
Cruise with Standard Seating
General admission boarding, Seating available on the outdoor deck or inside the temperature-controlled cabin
What‘s Included
Free Wi-Fi on board
Live narration by Circle Line’s world-famous guides (in English)
2.5 hour Sightseeing Cruise
Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (headphones required) See below for more.
Outdoor deck
Air-conditioned vehicle
Restroom on board
Food & Beverages (Available for Purchase Onboard)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,564 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
My circle line tour
Daniel M,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was very nice and very informative, relaxing. Night Shift easy to find. arrive early for your tour.
Great guide, funny and informative.
Rebecca A,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wear sunscreen. It’s best to be outside and there is a breeze. Lots of great information about the area and the culture.
Great, just a bit too long
Jennifer T,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Great experience, seeing the Statue of Liberty was the highlight. Everything is quick (take the picture as soon as you can, blink and your opportunity will be gone) and I think it would be better to opt for a shorter tour versus the 2.5 hour tour.
Brilliant cruise, guide...
Jlroyle5,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Brilliant cruise, guide was excellent and knew her stuff, some entertainment thrown in too. Well done Alexis
A great way to see...
Susan P,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great way to see Manhattan skyline. Just enough time to see it all. The explanations by guide were interesting.
Wonderful afternoon.
Barry P,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting facts and history about New York City. The restrooms were clean and the ride was comfortable. The views were magnificent.
Loved this cruise. Very...
Robyn M,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved this cruise. Very informative guide I can't remember his name. Lovely views of all of the city. Beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty.. My partner gets very bad sea sickness and he was good. Highly recommend.
A splendid way to get an overview of NYC
E6252POcaroll,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed this beautiful water experience on a gorgeous summer day. Postcard Tim gave us an excellent narration and we learned and saw a lot despite the fact that we have lived in the New York area for over 30 years! We had seen much of the Hudson party and what at the East River up to the Brooklyn Bridge but nothing beyond and never up close through the Harlem River. A really lovely experience.
Great tour!
andreatF1479NK,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic boat ride with Circle Line around Manhattan! The view of the skyline, the bridges, and the famous landmarks was impressive. We especially want to highlight our guide – he was very knowledgeable, entertaining, and enriched the tour with many interesting facts and exciting stories. The trip was very well organized, and the atmosphere on board was very pleasant. Absolutely recommendable – for us, one of the highlights of our New York visit!
Great Overview of Manhattan
carlcX5500GO,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is a great way to get an overview of NYC! The tour starts and ends next to the Intrepid museum and goes around the entire island of Manhattan including a swing by Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The guide narrating the tour was terrific - fun and knowledgeable.
Related Experiences
Operated by Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises