Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Avoid this tour! Zero NYC Visibility if on starboard (right) side of boat. The boat was packed and all outdoor seating was taken. Instead we had to settle for a stuffy low-ceilinged cabin with 4-foot high windows. The interior seats on the port (left) side of the boat were also taken. We soon found out why. We had an OK view of NJ, Staten Island, Governor's Island, Bronx, but the tour is really geared towards Manhattan. 80% of Bill-the-tour-guide's remarks began with ""On your left side..."" which proves how lame the right side is. We could see the tiniest bit of Manhattan if we looked to our left, but it was only thru a narrow window on the left side. All of the vertical-ness of Manhattan was missed. EXTREMELY disappointed. Would it kill them to offer a boat with more outdoor seating? more

Do it! Bring your camera. Bundle up if the weather is cool. more

I parked my car at 660 west 43rd street and i paid $20 all day. park right more

Saturday Oct 1st, Was the only day we could get together with the family, We are all adults and we planed this trip to Bear Mountain for October fest, a month a head of time. We all live out on long Island. So instead of driving we took the train to NYC so there would be no drinking and driving. We all woke up at 430 am took the train and all met in Penn Station. Then from there we took 2 cabs. We all paid $50 a head for the boat ride, $20 a head for the train ride , $20 Which came out about to $450 for the 6 of us. Then We all get on this, cheesy, dumpy rusty, boat and we cast away. The food choices where ok and had cold beer , but a little pricey , i don't know any one who likes paying 5 bucks for a hot dog. Then we were cruising up the river and excited to get to Bear mountain. The in exactly 15 minutes we don't even get close to the Geo bridge and then captain informs all the passengers that they are turning the boat around and to drop us off back at the dock, and the rest could stay on for a half hour boat ride around the harbor. Their excuse ""scam"" was the peer is flooded due to the rain and had communication issues with the dock men up the river. When we got off the boat at the pier, they did not fully refund our money, but we could come back for a cruise for the same value. They knew the peer was flooded but they decided to rob every one instead. I'm very unhappy with them. In the past I have worked as a mate for charter boats since I was a teenager and I am now a licensed captain so i know the tricks of the trade. A good boat and capt. will not even take you out if its rough or the ocean is dead, etc. the hack boats will take you out and turn around then give you credit towards another trip so they get paid. So Circle Jerk ruined our family trip for the day, we had to pay travel fares to get to nyc, they basically stole our $300. Also we all work and have busy lives it is hard for us to all together for the whole day. Well there is a right way of doing things and a wrong way. They suck! and run a B.S. operation. I don't recommend them to anyone, they are a bunch of con artist .I also hope soon one day circle line gets sued for everything they got and have to file for bankruptcy. I hate them and the other 300 people on the boat prob feel similar.There were a lot of arguments at the peer and no one had a smile on their face when they got off of the boat. Do your yourself a favor and go with another cruse line and ask questions about refunds and etc, before you pay and leave the dock. more

Wow most of these reviews come from 2002, but it's 7 yrs later wow, time flies. Citysearch ahs the best things to look up and write reviews on other than google. Not fun on a cold or rainy day. I took this in the summer. I brought my digital camera,and put up photos online of the cruise. I went towards sunset on the 3 hr cruise it was fun. They had a tour guide make announcements and give you an education on the unknown facts of the city. Pretty lights, pretty sunsets, Georgeous bridges, Tall buildings, watching the water waves, you see the woolworth building, south street seaport, the empire state building, the chrysler building, the lipstick building, and citycorp building, the Queens bank tower, the statue of Liberty, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, the Colgate Clock, Jersey City, Downtown Brooklyn, and so much more. You learn alot in one day. Bring you own food. Snacks can be alittle pricey. You watch ships, water taxi's, and other boats pass by. I found out that DUMBO mean Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass. And that the Bronx was named after a family called the Broncs. I saw co-op city. I passed by ground zero. The United Nations, a tall residential black architectured building. The best part was the upper east side and passing the George Washington Bridge. A great educational experience, and if I had more money I'd go back. I'm not a tourist.\r The gothic style buildings against the skyline and sunset is amazing like in the movie spiderman/batman. Nice scenery. Never go on a snowy day. Maybee it's closed in winter who knows. Pros: Sightseeing the entire city Cons: Prices and dirty bathrooms downstairs more

I played toursit one vacation and loved taking this. I live/work in Manhattan and had lost sight that it really is an island. You really get a prospective of the city and see many of the tall building. Pros: See Statue of Liberty, See the skyline Cons: Crowded in Summer more

On the website for Circle Line Tours it said that we could catch the 3 hour tour at Pier 16 - well that is not true and several people behind us were also turned away. Perhaps because it is October, but the website should reflect that!!! more

NYCL rocks. I had a great opportunity to view New York's skylines. The service was ""off the hook"". The info that you get from the captains during the trip is rather insightful and very informational. I HAD A BLAST!!! more

The best way to see ALL of Manhattan and it does provide a relaxing way to see the city, statue of liberty and ellis island. Cons: expensive more

when you need to take a break from running around the city like a lunatic (whether you're a tourist or a citizen) this is the perfect place to sit back. I bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the views. more

A 3 hour tour would have been fun if I wound up on Gilligan's Island .. but no ... this was a boat ride around Manhattan at a snails pace. Going at a snails pace made the trip so boring I fell asleep. I don't need to pay to sleep, I can stay home and sleep for free. The staff were friendly enough but disinterested ... and they were late! grrrrrrr :( more

We took the 2-hour ride from 42nd St. pier on a record hot day. It was cool and loads of fun. Sights were great and so was the commentary. Top notch all the way Pros: Great commentary, Good length of tour, Pier easy to get to more

great fun for the family. Great views, good food. The history of NY is presented excellent. more

The ride is great, the tourguides knowledgable and the staff at the Circle Line are so friendly and helpful! more

The Circle Line cruises are THE very best attraction in New York City. What an institution! What a great way to see the City as a whole--take in the entire skyline, check out every bridge, see every borough and every waterway. And all for a nominal price, with a hot dog on the side! The guides are consistently knowledgeable and friendly. The ships are clean with a perfect balance of outdoor and indoor spaces, seats and standing areas. It's my idea of the perfect New York experience. Pros: great price, easy to use, clean more

I take visiting friends and family whenever I get the chance. It's a great tour and all you have to do is sit there. It's a little hot on the deck in high summer but spring and fall are quite pleasant. I usually pack a picnic lunch and enjoy our beautiful city. Pros: relaxing Cons: the chairs, annoying tourists more

After the long walk across 42nd street and getting over the shock of the age of the boats, the Circle Line Cruise on a warm afternoon is something every tourist (and New Yorker) needs to experience at least once. It is one of the few things that is just as much fun with a group or alone. more

It's the greatest way to SEE NY without having to leave your seat...especailly nice for the elderly and handicap. You not only see Manhattan, you can see NJ, Queens, Brooklyn. more

The Circle Line Jazz Cruises are a lovely way to see the island of Manhattan, while also enjoying good music. One can also have a cocktail or something to eat while enjoying the cool breeze & the sounds of mellow music and waves intertwine. A definite stop for any visitors one wants to show a good time. more

With no doubt a NYC classic. Best views of Manhattan and unbelievable knowledge is gained from their well seasoned tour guides. I take my visiting friends and family every time and they love it. Pros: Parking, Public Transpotation, Friendly Staff more