We purchased the 2 day tour, and took advantage of both the night bus tour and the harbor cruise. Here are some thoughts, having just come back 2 days ago:
BUS TOURS (daytime): We thought we could just get from "here" to "there" by hopping on the bus, but quickly realized that this would take WAY too long -- so many stops and diversions between "here" and "there". However, it WAS an excellent way to be shown the city (1st time visitors here). They avoided politics (e.g., pointing out the Trump Towers), but (a couple of them) kind of made a big deal about it, so it still seemed bothersome. One guy REALLY seemed to like to hear himself talk, and was clearly entertained by himself (more than we were, anyway). Some in my party (of 6) just took their earphones out. Other guides were VERY informative, and by and large brought interesting points and topics to bear throughout the trip. Oh, and because of the time of year, it got pretty chilly up top (NOT the company's fault), but it was really unbearably hot down under (I'm thinking they COULD have done something about this!). Really ALL of the personnel on these busses were extremely friendly and helpful -- probably above and beyond what they had to be.
NIGHT BUS TOUR: COLD!!! (Again, not the company's fault, and we knew what we were getting into.) The guide had some quirks ("Ya?" and "Ladies and gentlemen" way too much), but was actually very good at her job -- interesting, right amount of info and talking, etc. It was neat that they took us out of Manhattan and into Brooklyn (but boy was it cold going over the bridge at full speed!!!) and showed us some stuff there too. Good addition to our trip, and it was great to see NYC at night!
HARBOR CRUISE: Excellent! It really took us close to Lady Liberty, and pointed out a lot of the interesting stuff, like Ellis Island, the big clock in Jersey, and some of the unique and notable buildings on both sides of the Hudson (even the area right behind where the boats were moored where the "Miracle on the Hudson" took place -- this was at Pier 83). The guide (an older guy) was interesting, easy to understand (pretty good audio system where I was, both seated inside and standing out front), and had a kind of fun sense of humor (for my taste, anyway -- not boring, but not too silly). Both sides of the boat got to see everything, so really not a good or bad side. Just a really excellent cruise!