Answer: The exact route of a New York cruise varies from one company to another, depending on the departure point. However, in general, most cruises follow a fairly similar path. The vast majority of cruise companies in New York depart from the western side of Manhattan, along the Hudson River. From there, the cruise heads south toward the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  

Afterward, the boat turns and continues northeast toward the East River, passing under New York’s three famous bridges - the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Williamsburg Bridge.

At this point, most cruises turn back and return to their original departure point, unless you’ve chosen a full island cruise. In that case, the boat continues north along the Harlem River until it reconnects with the Hudson River and returns to the starting location.