What You'll See From a Cruise in NYC

You've almost set foot in New York and you're in the middle of organising your trip. Among all the experiences and activities the city has to offer, cruising is one of the most popular.

Want to know what you'll see from the boat on a Manhattan cruise? Take note because this is just an appetizer of what awaits you.

The world-famous Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island, right at the mouth of the Hudson. On a clear day you can see her silhouette from Manhattan, but there's nothing quite like a boat ride around her and a close-up view of her massive pedestal, her height and her features.

Every Manhattan cruise ship will take you close to her, so you won't want to miss seeing her up close. It's true that the cruise ships don't stop and so you won't have the chance this time to get off at Liberty Island and walk around, but you won't need to. The views from the boat are amazing.

If you fancy a visit, the recommendation is to take one of the ferries that run constantly from Battery Park, near the Financial District. These ferries take you to the Island and you can get off to visit the pedestal or even the Crown of the Statue.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? All itineraries pass through here.

When it opened in 1883 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world (it's almost 2km long!) and with that record-breaking figure it will go down in history as one of the world's most acclaimed engineering feats. This famous bridge, which features in millions of photos and postcards of the city, connects the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

It has two floors, one for pedestrians and one for cars and trucks entering and leaving Manhattan. If crossing the bridge on foot is practically obligatory during your visit to the city, navigating under its dimensions will give you a unique perspective.

Here's a tip? No matter when you cruise, you can't miss the bridge by day or night, so mark it on your map because this is one of the key points in the city that you'll have to return to a couple of times.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? All itineraries pass through here

In the heart of the tragedy that marked New York on that fateful September 11, the brand new One World Trade Center was built, which practically guards the entire financial district with its now mythical skyline and its glass windows that seem to mirror the city's sky.

Due to its height, you won't be able to avoid it with your eyes, as it is the new star of southern Manhattan. If you are struck by its architecture, style and size, you might also want to consider climbing to the top of the building to visit the One World Observatory, from which you will have a perfect aerial view of the city.

It is the tallest skyscraper you can climb in this area of New York and the views are very different from those you can get from the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock: from here the river and its bridges and the Brooklyn skyline will be in the foreground and the feeling of vertigo and adrenaline is guaranteed.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? All itineraries pass through here

This is another of the countless postcards we have in mind when we think of New York. The Financial District is the heart of business in Manhattan from Monday to Friday. Thousands of workers in suits hurry through its streets to their offices, banks... It is also home to the New York Stock Exchange and the famous Wall Street.

The skyline of this area of southern Manhattan is made up of dozens of skyscrapers (mostly offices) and surrounded by some park or walking area. To get a good perspective of the size of this area, it's best to cross to the other side of the river or head to Governors Island, where you'll get the best pictures.

Fortunately, cruise ships along the Hudson pass through this part of the river to the delight of their passengers, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the sights.

The sight of it lit up is truly breathtaking, so if you've decided to take an evening dinner cruise, this will probably be the image you'll always identify your Manhattan boat ride with.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? All itineraries pass through here

Another of New York's icons could not be forgotten by the cruises that ply the Hudson. The Empire State Building is located in the heart of Manhattan, in Midtown, and you'll have the chance to see it from the boat if you choose a cruise that lasts two hours or more.

Most cruises also depart from docks located at Chelsea or Hudson Yards, so you have a good chance of seeing it when you *embark and disembark on the shorter cruises as well.

You won't need much time to spot it among the crowd of skyscrapers, as its silhouette and antenna make it unmistakable. If you're left wanting more, remember that you can climb up to the observation deck for incredible views of this part of Manhattan.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? Tours of two hours or more

It may not be as impressive as the Financial District, but Midtown Manhattan's streets are home to the **city'**s most famous buildings: in addition to the Empire State Building, here you'll find Rockefeller Center with its Top of the Rock, the Chrysler Building, the Flatiron Building... In short, some of the buildings that make New York the destination of choice for millions of travellers around the world.

If you board a cruise ship during the day, it is very likely that you will be able to see all or practically all of them as the cruise progresses. Also note that some ships have a guided narration that will help you identify the major buildings as the cruise progresses.

At night, the lights in this part of the city will leave you mesmerised and you'll realise why they call it the city that never sleeps.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? In depth, on tours of two hours or more.

This beautiful bridge also serves the essential function of connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn at Long Island. Although it never quite reached the prominence of its big brother the Brooklyn Bridge and is newer than the Williamsburg Bridge, the views of this bridge from the water are priceless.

In fact, many tourists cross this bridge to get to the DUMBO area of Brooklyn to take the famous photo on the iconic street with exposed brick New York buildings and the bridge in the background.

Well, you won't have the chance to take this photo from the boat, but the views you'll get of the bridge with Manhattan in the background will be much better. But if you want to visit DUMBO, mark it on the map and come back another day because this area of Brooklyn, full of trendy cafes and restaurants, is also worth a visit.

Which cruise ship to see it from: Tours of two hours or more

A little more than a kilometre south of Manhattan is Governors Island, a small island that until not so long ago was a military base. Although it is not included in the top list of places to visit in New York City, the truth is that this island, with a population of just over 3,000, has plenty of green space that will help you disconnect from the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan.

If you don't have time or don't feel like visiting it, don't worry: from the boat you'll have a perfect panoramic view of the island and what's even better: the views of Manhattan from this part of the city.

Be prepared to see the skyscrapers seem to float on the water and marvel at the sheer size of Manhattan Island. From here you'll probably get some of the best photos of the cruise, so get your camera out and take advantage of the panoramic views along your cruise route.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? From up close, on the two-hour or longer tours.

One of the most frequent piers from which, for example, all the cruise ships of the American company Circle Line depart is Pier 83, in the heart of Hudson River Park.

The embarkation area is easily recognisable and from there you can stroll around and see all the boats leaving and entering the New York City Harbor.

This is always a lively area, with up to 12 different piers in Hudson River Park alone. There are also green areas with great views where you can relax before or after your cruise.

If you need to, you'll also find restaurants and food stalls where you can refuel or pick up a snack to enjoy during your cruise.

Which cruise ship will you see it from? All itineraries pass through here

Cruises usually depart from the west coast of Manhattan, just off Midtown. The docks are at the perfect height in Manhattan to organise various experiences or activities in the surrounding area to make the most of your time.

For example, one of the things you can do is stroll around Hudson Yards, Manhattan's trendy new neighbourhood, where in addition to the High Linel floating park, you'll also find The Vessel structure and the city's new observatory, The Edge.

It's only a 20-minute walk from Pier 83 to Times Square, so you can stroll here if you've been discovering this bustling square.