This was our 4th time on a Circle Line Cruise and they are excellent every time. This time was an afternoon landmarks cruise. Andy was our guide and delivered an informative and funny commentary noting sites, history, and changes with many fun, enlightening and for the more sombre cases, thoughtful annecdotes. He has a great style and I am reminded of Bob Newhart and Tom Lehrer.
The cruise is 90 minutes and is calm and relaxing. The boats are large and very stable, there are seats inside and outside and on various decks, you can do this in all weathers and refreshments are available. (note: you are stopped from bringing food and drink onto the boat and if you have some, will have to stash it with the cruise security folks until your return - but best to just not take any there)
The cruise travels down the Hudson with info on all the piers, notable buildings and sites on both sides of the river, it loops up to Liberty Island allowing seats on both sides of the boat to have a great view of the statue, then heads back towards Manhattan and up the East River looking at Governor's Island, Brooklyn (Dumbo etc.) and Manhattan, and the bridges and buidings on either side - Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and turning back after the Williamsburg Bridge to round lower Manhattan once again and back up the Hudson (all with more info on sites and events). A fun theme throughout was which building was the world's tallest, in what year and for how long...
We have bought tickets directly from the ticket office at the pier and also used a variety of city/nyc/go etc. passes - all with no issues. Boarding is easy and well managed.
This was an easy and slow paced attraction - very welcome after days of frantic attraction hopping throughout NYC! You can listen to the tour or just look out on the sites. Do not miss this and maybe couple it with a tour of the USS Intrepid (Air and Space Museum) which is right next to the Circle Line pier or walk across the main road to the Hudson Yards for The Edge, the Vessel, lots of eating and some expensive shopping!