Circle Line 2 Hour Semi-Circle Cruise: Review

Pictures from Circle Line's 2 Hour Semi-Circle Cruise

Throughout the two-hour cruise, the friendly tour guide pointed out important landmarks, sharing trivia and highlighting some of the history of New York City. The trip featured a closeup of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island -- a perfect picture taking opportunity. Since visiting these attractions on their own can take the better part of a day, this is a great opportunity to view the popular attraction as part of a larger tour. The guide pointed out where the twin towers of the World Trade Center would have been, and highlighted the impact of their loss on the skyline.

The two-hour cruise passed surprisingly quickly, despite the fact that the scenery was the same in both directions -- it was nice to be not have to worry about scurrying from one side of the boat to the other in order to get a view of something.

• Jacob Javits Center
• World Financial
• Battery Park
• Ellis Island
• Statue of Liberty
• Wall Street
• South Street Seaport
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Empire State Building
• Chrysler Building
• United Nations
• Roosevelt Island
• Gracie Mansion
• The Intrepid

• Circle Line's Semi-Cirlce Cruise leaves from Pier 83 between 42nd and 43rd Streets at 12th Avenue
• Mass Transit to Circle Line Pier: A/C/E, 1/2/3, N/R/Q, 7 or S to 42nd St./Times Square - change to the M42 or M50 Bus running along 42nd Street which will take you to the 42nd Street Pier
• Parking at Circle Line: $20 before 3 p.m.; $25 after 3 p.m. and on weekends
• Circle Line's Full Island Cruise Phone: 212-563-3200
• Circle Line's Full Island Cruise Cost: Adults $34, Children (under 12) $23, Senior Citizens $30
• Circle Line's Semi-Circle Cruise is available with The New York Pass and CityPass.
• Circle Line's Semi-Circle Cruise Payment: Cash and Major Credit Cards
• Circle Line's Semi-Circle Cruise Schedule

• Concessions, including beer and wine, are available on board, but you can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. The $6 souvenir mug with free refills of soda is a good value.
• They begin boarding the boat about 30 minutes before departure -- arrive about 30-45 minutes before departure for time to buy your tickets. Fortunately, on the semi-circle cruise, both sides of the boat are good, as one will face Manhattan in each direction.
• Wear sunscreen if you plan to sit outside or stand at the bow of the boat -- despite the breeze, you can get quite a bit of sun.
• After the cruise departs, they open up the bow of the boat for standing room only -- it's worth checking out the view from there, despite the crowds.
• Bathrooms on board tend to be cleanest early in the trip -- plan accordingly.
• You can book tickets online, however there is a ticketing fee $5 for one ticket, $8.50 for 2, etc. You also will need to exchange the ticket voucher for a boarding pass in the ticketing line once you arrive, so there's really no advantage to buying your tickets online.