Step aboard the teak decks of elegant 1920s style yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and enjoy a 2.75 hour cruise while learning about NYC's architectural landmarks from the water. The "Around Manhattan" tour narration, provided by members of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) NYC chapter, is general enough for visitors yet detailed enough for the locals.
Experience a comfortable and unique tour through the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers from a glassed-in observatory cabin, which has sliding windows for a fresh breeze, or wander to an open bow for more unobstructed views of the surrounding sites. On this cruise, guests will circumnavigate the island of Manhattan, passing under all 18 bridges, while taking in monuments, architecture, parks and infrastructure with narration throughout the cruise.
Important note: select departures on Friday afternoons will focus on Climate Change in and around New York City. Please call the operator directly for questions on the tour theme.
Posted By : Dennis_M
The tour guide spoke for virtually the entire cruise and was absolutely fantastic. The entire staff was friendly and attentive. One of the best kept secrets of NYC.
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Posted On : 2024-07-29 14:36:06 
Posted By : markcM9748BQ
This is a two-part review, one of the Viator site and two of the actual trip.
The Viator site is a disappointment. The purchase process was easy enough; however, actually getting ready for the trip, which initially included downloading the ticks or just getting the .pdfs, became problematic.
Most sites allow you to simply access via their app or simply send to your email to use, but Viator's site either had an issue with this as it became a circular reference trying to get access to them or finally where I had to have an agent via a phone call, send them to me to then find that all I needed was my ID and last name to match up the access, which was way easier and less stressful, etc.
The actual trip. Once we figured out where to go at Pier 62, the trip, although it started like a train wreck, became a cool thing, albeit a bit long on time.
There was construction going on where we were and the attendant then tried to yell over a jackhammer and then also the other attendant in the booth area also tried to with a microphone to no avail as they were trying to segment us to get us in a line and then by letters get us on the boat, the Manhatten II.
First, when there is an issue like that, why not have placards made so people could simply see what was in their hand and go oh, there is my letter correspondence; this means for me to get on the boat instead of attempting to yell over the noise.
Two, the trip itself was simply badass with Joseph, our architecture narrator, except he had to deal with about four microphone failures, which was sort of a bummer at times with the warble.
That being said, the trip and the stories were simply great and I would say that the trip was almost perfect, but just felt at the end a bit too long. Just an opinion, 45 minutes could have been shaved off the trip, especially towards the end.
Another dumb thing was not knowing that while you received a complimentary drink, thanks Jakub, you could actually purchase another, yet they don't mention it in their information guide when you purchase your tickets.
If Viator had cleaned up their instructions and simply said, show up with your ID and don't worry about all the stupid .pdf and or otherwise dumbness, this would have helped and not caused anxiety. A few more signs would have helped outside by Pier 62 also.
The trip itself was really cool; however, it would be a five out of five with just a few glitches going away due to self-inflicted wounds.
I would definitely do this trip again.
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Posted On : 2024-07-29 10:26:22 
Posted By : 886catherinev
As a way of getting an overview of the whole of Manhattan island it was excellent. The commentator, whose name I unfortunately forget, was excellent in both his knowledge and delivery. The small group on the boat was an added bonus to it all as it allowed people to easily ask questions about various aspects of the tour.
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Posted On : 2024-07-29 10:04:54
Posted By : Julian_L
Loved the tour, the boat, and the snacks! We had a blast for my Mom’s birthday! Would take this tour again for sure.
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Posted On : 2024-07-29 09:16:11
Posted By : 151lisaz
Wonderful cruise! The boat is beautiful, and very clean and comfortable. Our guide was very knowledgeable and I really appreciated how he walked all around the boat, even onto the deck, and interacted with the passengers. I have taken one of those Circle Line boat tours around Manhattan island before but this is a far superior experience, and definitely worth the money. The boat is smaller and there are fewer passengers, and it's also much more comfortable. I would definitely do this again!
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Posted On : 2024-07-28 15:19:01
Posted By : SHANNON_H
Amazing tour. The ride was extremely knowledgeable. All the staff was attentive and professional. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The boat was elegant.
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Posted On : 2024-07-28 12:17:34
Posted By : Arthur_A
The historian .....NYC born mavin....know's it all and very educational. My daughter took some
really great pictures. As a native Brooklynite...but out of state for many years....it was terrific
seeing many sites that I had never seen proviously and amazed at all the buildings that
have gone up in more recent years.
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Posted On : 2024-07-27 21:41:47
Posted By : Susan_P
Our guide (I think his name was John) was excellent! He was very knowledgable about buildings and bridges we passed that were not only on Manhattan, but on Roosevelt Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey. It was a very enjoyable experience on the beautiful boat as well. Great waitstaff and a free drink. We ordered the cheese platter and it was delicious. I was thrilled that this tour was on a smaller boat, less people and plenty of space both in the boat and on the deck. The sound system out on deck was as good as it was inside. Thank you to our guide and all the staff! Highlight of our trip to NYC!
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Posted On : 2024-07-26 15:40:06
Posted By : Donna_N
We absolutely loved this boat trip. We
Are
Both NYers and learned so much about the buildings, bridges, and life in NY from 200 years ago till today. Andrew was our tour guide and he was so knowledgeable and told such interesting stories.
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Posted On : 2024-07-25 16:09:49
Posted By : Diana_Z
Great way to see Manhattan. I would have given 5 stars if the staff had been more attentive to the guest. Having to repeatedly ask for water and then find someone for sodas on a muggy heat day was not enjoyable.
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Posted On : 2024-07-25 14:14:16
