I don't see why so many reviewers have gushed about this cruise. Wherever we go, if there's a body of water around we go on a cruise, and this one was, I thought, pretty mediocre.
It's not really the fault of the cruise line; it's just not that appealing a route. There's not that much to see; it's pretty much an unbroken mass of trees with now and then a dot high up on the hill which is some rich person or other's mansion. I imagine children would get bored very quickly and become restless. I'm sure the scenery would be a beautiful sight during foliage season, but no doubt the boat will be very crowded during that period of time.
The boat is comfortable enough, and the price is reasonable. The Hudson River is, however, pretty unattractive. The water is brown and murky. Along the shores of the harbor where the Rip Van Winkle is docked are many abandoned and decrepit vessels, and everything is covered with disgusting vegetation. Debris floats around everywhere.
As I said, it's not the fault of the cruise line, but no one seems to care about maintaining the river, at least this part of it. I wouldn't call it an unpleasant experience, but the next time I visit the area, taking this cruise won't be on my list of things to do.