NYC Holiday Cruise With Classic Harbor Line

There are few cities as festive as New York during the holidays. Since I’m spending Christmas and New Years in Portugal this year, I’ve been cramming in as many holiday activities as I can before I leave.

That’s how I happened to find Classic Harbor Line’s Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise, a jazz-filled, holiday cruise through the New York harbor. Cruising around New York City is always a good time, even if it’s just to catch that glittering skyline from the water. Before going on this cruise, I had only gone out on the water two times: A ferry to Rockaway Beach and a tour around the Statue of Liberty. But this experience was completely different!

Let me start by saying that the Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise was so much fun. Grabbing a drink on a beautiful yacht is certainly not something I get to do every day, and the fact that is was holiday-themed made it even more memorable.

The cruise departed from Pier 62 in Manhattan at 6 p.m. on a Wednesday. A long wooden yacht awaited us at the dock, and once aboard, a live band was already playing. Waiters promptly took our drink orders as soon as we sat down—the first drink is included in the ticket price ($72 per person; $48 for children), and there were some nuts and chips waiting for us at the table.

The boat was elegantly decorated with string lights and holiday wreaths throughout, and the Christmas tunes began right away. I ordered a glass of Italian red wine and sang along to the holiday songs—there were lyric sheets at our table so there was really no excuse not to sing along! When we had sailed far enough to see the whole skyline, my boyfriend Guil and I stepped outside the cabin to take it all in. There’s something about seeing the sparkling New York City skyline from a distance that fills me with joy.

The NYC skyline and State of Liberty from a boat

After a few minutes of snapping photos outside I was ready to warm up with a second glass of wine ($9). Then came my favorite part of the night: The band got every table onboard to sing “The 12 Days of Christmas,” delegating a segment of the song to each. Dozens of strangers sang and danced along to the carol, patiently waiting for their numbered verse. The wine (and cocoa!) was flowing and everyone was in high spirits!

An hour and a half went by way too quickly, and we were soon headed back toward the pier, with New York’s twinkling Financial District beside us. All in all, it was a really enjoyable outing and a great way to swing into the holiday spirit. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday!

Book your own cruise here.