By:Tyler Ford
A very popular sightseeing experience in New York is taking cruises that feature live music on board, combining scenic views with great entertainment.
If you are also looking for a cruise in NYC with live music, you have come to the right place. We’ve gathered all the most popular live music boat tours in New York, along with everything you need to know about them. Here are the results:
Every summer, starting from June to September, Circle Line offers their Sip ‘N Groove cruise which attracts locals and tourists alike. This is a 2-hour party cruise where you can dance to live DJ music while enjoying NYC’s famous landmarks at night.
The cruise departs at 8:00 PM from Pier 83, passing the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and many more New York landmarks. It includes a live DJ and full bar with signature cocktails and light snacks.
The cruise ticket price is $45 per person for a standard ticket or $69 for a Premier ticket which includes early boarding and two drink vouchers. You can book it from here.
Another very popular live music cruise in New York is the Evening Sail with Jazz Concert & Wine by Manhattan by Sail, which is considered one of the best romantic cruises in NYC.
This popular cruise takes place on the company’s Clipper City boat, which is a stunning restored vessel with rich maritime history dating pre-Civil War, and includes a live jazz band with NYC’s top musicians and 2 glasses of wine.
The historic sailing vessel and the intimate setting with a maximum group size of 15 make this cruise a perfect choice for a romantic experience. The cruise departs daily at 07:30PM from Pier 17 and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. Ticket prices start from $134 and you can book it from here.
Another popular option for a live jazz cruise in NYC is the Live Jazz Sunset Sail in New York Harbor by Classic Harbor Line company. This is a 2-hour cruise departing from Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, passing Manhattan’s Financial District and toward the Statue of Liberty at sunset.
The cruise sails with the Schooner America 2.0 (a stunning 105-foot black-hulled sailing yacht with 3600 square feet of sail) and includes a live jazz band and one complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soft drink.
The cruise departs every Tuesday at 6:45 PM and costs $114 per person. You can book it from here.
Classic Harbor Line offers another great live music New York cruise that is very popular among tourists here - The Serenade Jazz Cruise with Live Music. It is a 1.5-hour cruise on a 1920s-style yacht with a full jazz band including a vocalist.
The band plays timeless Broadway ballads and standards known by artists like Sinatra, Nina Simone, Harry Connick, Jr., Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.
The cruise operates mostly in summer, departing at 9:35 PM from Chelsea Piers and passing Manhattan’s Financial District, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Tickets start at $134 per person and you can find more info and book it through “GetYourGuide” here.
Another highly recommended live music cruise in NYC that you should definitely check out is the Sunset Sightseeing Cruise + Live Music by NYC Water Cruises company.
This cruise lasts 2 hours and includes a full band playing various styles and genres. It departs from Pier 36 almost every day at 6:30 PM and passes at sunset over New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline.
The cruise is limited to a maximum of 25 passengers and costs around $55 per person. You can book it through “Tiqets” here.
Our last recommendation for a New York live music cruise goes to the Sunset Live Music Cruise and Dance Shows by NYC Water Cruises - a 2-hour cruise including a full live band and a live dance show.
The cruise operates on the company’s stunning vessel - the “Grand Mariner” featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, and passes by the city’s skyline and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset time.
This cruise operates all year almost every day at 6:30 PM departing from Pier 36. Ticket prices start from $50 per person and include the cruise and the live shows. You also have the option to purchase food & drinks on board. You can book this cruise from here.
