Dinner Cruises in New York

You will probably never get tired of seeing the Manhattan Skyline: its skyscrapers, its dynamism, its lights.... It all looks magical and even more so when seen from the water. Fortunately, dozens of cruises ply the Hudson every day, but which are the dinner cruises that will make you live a movie scene?

There are plenty to choose from, but I've selected the best ones so you won't have any doubts when it comes to choosing the one that best suits your tastes. Here we go:

The Premium option

New York Buffet Dinner Cruise

Luxury cruise with buffet dinner

Aboard this incredible ship you will enjoy the best views of Manhattan while enjoying a buffet style menu and the best live music to liven up the evening.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

From $125 at Hellotickets

Around 6:30 p.m. the adventure begins on this spectacular boat that will take you to sail the waters of the Hudson and to know the profile of the best skyscrapers of New York while enjoying an exquisite buffet dinner and the best live music.

This is undoubtedly the most premium experience you could choose to say goodbye to your trip to New York: the type of boat completely glazed will allow you to go watching the most spectacular panoramic view of Manhattan at all times.

This buffet dinner cruise on New York's Hudson River will give you unforgettable views from the Hudson of the Empire State Building, the Financial District, the Brooklyn Bridge and even the Statue of Liberty for almost three hours.

Why I recommend this option: if you are looking for a premium and exclusive experience to enjoy an evening as a couple, this is your option.

Prices for a dinner cruise around the Hudson are around 225 euros at Hellotickets, depending on the type of menu you want to be served on board. The most premium option has an exceptional three-course menu served at the table to all diners.

If we compare them with the prices of the more standard New York cruises that do not include dinner and are limited to make an itinerary around the Hudson, it is clear that those including dinner are more expensive, but also much more exclusive. The number of seats is limited, they do not depart every day and the quality and attention correspond to a totally luxury service.

Also the comfort and the size of the boat are totally different: dinner cruises are held on luxury boats, on yachts or glass barges designed for the maximum pleasure of all the senses.

New York dinner cruises all last between two and three hours. Keep in mind that this is a relaxed experience designed for the passenger to enjoy the experience: the views of the city, the exquisite dining, the luxury vessel...

The good thing about the considerable duration is that they cover a great route around the island of Manhattan and even go as close as the Statue of Liberty so you can see it up close. The speed at which they go is quite leisurely, so you will have time to enjoy dinner and the views at the same time.

If you are worried about potential seasickness, there is no danger: they are all very large, stable boats and the river does not usually present problems with waves. Be prepared to enjoy a quiet evening while savoring the best views of Manhattan. Here is a classification of the duration of New York cruises.

During the almost three hours of sailing on these cruises, you will have the opportunity to comb the entire south side of Manhattan Island and approach Midtown along the river. The piers are usually on the south side of Manhattan Island, so you will have a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the main skyscrapers of the Financial District, including One World Trade Center.

Some itineraries go as far as Liberty Island for a close-up view of the illuminated Statue of Liberty and return to Manhattan to start the ascent to Midtown, where you can see, among others, the legendary Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center.

In general, the perspective of the Manhattan skyline from the water is something that leaves no one indifferent and you will enjoy every minute aboard this cruise. Here is a list of the main attractions you will see during a cruise on the Hudson

It is true that compared to other cruises that depart during the day and do not include dinner it may be a little more expensive, but the difference is worth it because the experience is completely different. The boat is totally luxurious, it is much more comfortable, touring the city at night is unforgettable and the itinerary is also longer.

These cruises do not have the appearance of being so touristy, but quite the opposite: it is common to see Americans and specifically New Yorkers celebrating here an evening with their co-workers or a date with their partners. The feeling of being aboard these ships is practically the same as staying in a real five-star hotel in Manhattan.

If you are also looking for an unforgettable experience to celebrate a special event (birthday, anniversary, surprise your partner, etc.), this evening will not only meet the expectations but will probably be the best memory you will take away from this trip to New York.

Obviously, all dinner cruises take place in the late afternoon/evening, when the sun is setting and the first lights on bridges and skyscrapers begin to awaken. Honestly, this is the best time to take a dinner cruise and cruise the Hudson.

If you are wondering what is the best time of the week to book it, usually these cruises depart on weekends or towards the end of the week (Thursday to Saturday) but my advice is to check dates and book in advance: places are limited and in high demand.

On the other hand, if you are worried about it being too hot or too cold, don't worry. The dinner takes place in the interior lounges of the ship, which are perfectly acclimatized so that the heat or cold outside is not a problem. Of course, if you take the cruise in winter, bring a good coat that will allow you to go out on deck for a while to enjoy the views without glass getting in the way of your views of the city.

Before booking, make sure that children are allowed to board the cruise. For example, in the most VIP option offered by Hellotickets, children up to 6 years old are not allowed on board. This is a VIP experience where silence reigns, there will be live jazz or classical music and they have wanted to maintain an "adults-only" atmosphere.

For older children, keep in mind that no price reductions or special rates are offered, so you may not be able to afford to take them or do these cruises with them (as they are also late in the afternoon they may end up falling asleep). Be that as it may, consider all this before booking a cruise with the little ones of the house. I have summarized everything you should consider in this article about cruising in New York with kids.

If you are interested in enjoying the views of the Hudson River at sunset but want to save some money on dinner, there are other cruise options that might interest you more. For approximately 100 euros you can enjoy a dinner aboard a boat with live music.

With a duration of two to three hours, with this boat ride you can enjoy a three-course dinner, coffee, tea and live entertainment. All this without losing sight of the spectacle of the New York skyline.

The truth is that enjoying yourself ab oard these luxury vessels is not difficult at all. As soon as you set foot on the ship you'll feel like you' re the protagonist of a period movie and you'll lose track of time. Still, let me give you a few tips to get the most out of a cruise on the Hudson.

• Book early to make sure you can take the cruise on the day that best suits you during your trip.
• Be on time: remember that the ship waits for no one and you will want to be there on time to avoid surprises or arriving in a hurry.
• Pay attention to the dress code: although it is not necessary to dress up, you will want to avoid the "touristy looks" that you will have used to tour New York during the day. If possible, avoid sneakers, flip-flops or shorts and don't hesitate to dress up a little more than usual: after all, this is a special evening that you don't get to enjoy every day, right?
• Forget the camera: although you will be tempted to take pictures all the time, my advice is to take some pictures during the trip, but don't get obsessed with it. No picture will be able to describe the feeling of sailing around Manhattan under the starlight.
• Turn off your phone. The same goes for cell phones. You'll have time to tell your friends and family about the unique experience you've just had, but at that moment you'll want to be enjoying everything around you to the fullest and with all your senses (and if you don't want to turn it off, remember to put it on silent so you don't interrupt the musicians!)