City Cruises Enhances Your Holiday City Experiences

Seeing the Northern Lights during a New York City holiday City Cruises dinner cruise, was one of highlights of my recent to the city. Other memorable experiences onboard included festive champagne cocktails, a delicious chef-curated buffet dinner, and dancing with Santa. The two-hour cruise is one of the best ways to take-in the magnificent city lights.

Boarding the Hornblower Group’s Spirit of New York ship, Santa welcomed guests, along with the captain and friendly crew. City Cruises in New York is offering an array of festive holiday cruises for locals and visitors. We sipped champagne cocktails, and tasted the bountiful buffet that passengers will enjoy during the Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day cruises.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and NYE City Cruises

The Spirit of New York dining cruise offers a fun and festive experience for up to 600 passengers. The halls and stairways are decked with dazzling holiday decorations. There are so many spots inside and outside for holiday photo moments.

During the New York Thanksgiving Cruise guests step up to a chef-prepared buffet offering favorite dishes, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, roast turkey, grilled salmon, sautéed green beans, rolls, arugula salad, pumpkin pie and other treats. Sit at a window table to take in spectacular views of the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey skylines.

Dinner on City Cruises includes upbeat sounds and dancing on the spacious dance floor. Be sure to step outside to take in the incredible skyline and Statue of Liberty views on the open-air exterior decks.

Holiday events are the perfect time to celebrate the season. It’s a great time to reconnect with family and friends or build team morale at work on a holiday cruise.

City Cruises offers all-inclusive packages that are designed to fit your budget for a memorable holiday party or event.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day City Cruises

City Cruises is a co-sponsor of the spectacular New York harbor firework display on New Year’s Eve. On the Bateaux New York NYE Premier Dinner Cruise, ring in this elegant evening with delectable dishes, creative cocktails, champagne toasts and fantastic fireworks while cruising on the smooth water. As the skyline illuminates in color, take in the photo-worthy views of the city’s most iconic areas in Manhattan from the Hudson and East Rivers.

City Cruises is also sailing from Pier 15 on the New York NYE Signature Dinner Cruise. It’s another ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks and dinner. Enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared buffet as the spirits continue to flow with a fully stocked bar, lively games, and dancing music from a live DJ.

Southern California Holiday City Cruises

Enjoy a front row seat taking in the beautiful lights onboard the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Premier Dinner Cruises on Dec. 16 and 17. Guests can avoid the parade crowds on land, while admiring the shining holiday lights of the homes and boats in Newport Harbor. This cruise has a full bar and dinner buffet with seasonal fare to enjoy while admiring the dazzling colorful lights reflected on the water.

San Diego Holiday Lights

Glide across the water during this classic Southern California holiday lights tradition. During Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, San Diego Holiday Lights & Sips Cocktail Cruise is a floating holiday happy hour. This joyous cocktail cruise offers specials on beer, wine, and cocktails, along with light appetizers while cruising along San Diego Bay. In the spirit of the season, wear an ugly sweater and enter the onboard contest to add some festive cheer.

San Diego Winter Whale Watching

Starting December 14, get a close view of marine life on the San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure. City Cruises will launch its winter whale-watching season out of San Diego Bay. Guests will learn from expert captains about Gray whales that come down from Alaska along the California coastline to Mexico to give birth to calves. Every Thursday through Sunday passengers might see Fin whales, dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds too.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

The New Year’s Eve Premier Brunch Cruise celebrates the last day of the year. Say goodbye to 2024 at City Cruises’ ports in New York, San Diego, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, and Newport Beach.

San Diego is having a New Year’s Eve Early Signature Dinner Cruise on Dec. 31. Cruise on San Diego Bay sipping a  creative cocktails, glass of wine or beer while enjoying seasonal holiday dinner favorites. This is only available in San Diego. Also on New Year’s Eve there are Premier Dinner Cruise for families and friends to countdown to midnight. Guests can indulge further by upgrading to silver, gold, or platinum packages, including access to the top-shelf bar and deluxe champagne. City Cruises’ ports include San Diego, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, and Newport Beach Fireworks might be at these ports, but are subject to change.

Kick off New Year’s Day with a Premier Brunch Cruise on Jan. 1. California is usually sunny on the water, as passengers sip free-flowing champagne, mimosas and sparkling cider. The City Cruises’ ports sailing on New Year’s Day are San Diego, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, and Newport Beach.

Have your first dinner of 2025 at sea with an elegant three-course plated dinner, full bar service and festive décor leaving from ports in San Diego, Marina del Rey, and Newport Beach.

City Experience companies includes the following sub-brands: City Cruises, Walks, Devour Tours, and City Ferry. City Cruises companies operate dining, sightseeing and private events across 22 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, as well as service on behalf of the National Park Service and the Niagara Parks Commission. City Cruises currently holds service contracts to provide ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Alcatraz Island, and Niagara Falls.