12 Live Music Cruises in New York City Worth Booking

1.Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,074 reviews · 3 hours · from $145Our pick

Board the Louisa of the Seas at Pier 36 for a three-hour evening cruise past the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty. You’ll dine at a private table, hear live music from New York performers, and choose between regular and VIP seating. Plan ahead for the hard-to-find pier and limited transport after the cruise.

“Started and ended on time, with delicious food, music, great views… It was a cool experience all together. However things to note would be it was kind of congested seating.. next to next tables with very less gap in the normal area ! Secondly live music also doesn’t happen in the normal area but in the VIP area in second deck which I don’t seem is mentioned anywhere, however we can hear that from the normal area but can’t see of feel!”

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2.Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 568 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Spend 90 minutes aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II, a classic 1920s-style vessel with a heated salon, holiday decorations, live jazz, carols, cocoa, cookies, and one included drink. From Chelsea Piers, you pass Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

“This was such a lovely trip to do for our first time in NYC! All the staff were lovely and it was so festive. Would 100% recommend people to do this!”

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3.New York City Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 377 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149

Spend about three hours aboard a New York dinner boat with a private table, five-course plated meal, live music, one beer or wine, and unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice, and water. The route covers the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty, with boarding at Pier 36 at 7 p.m.

“Cruise was a nice experience to see the city, waters were not to rocky, and food was delicious! Fun for the little ones as well, traveled with my husband and four children ranging in age from 6 years old to 16”

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4.Evening Jazz Cruise on the Yacht Manhattan

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 285 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Spend 90 minutes aboard Classic Harbor Line’s Yacht Manhattan, a 1920s-style vessel with a climate-controlled solarium, open decks, and elegant assigned tables. The Boat Band plays jazz standards, Motown, R&B, and modern songs while you pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, and Lower Manhattan. One alcoholic drink is included.

“lovely friendly hosts, great jazz band, would definitely recommend this as a must when visiting New York,”

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5.Manhattan Evening Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $134Top rated

Board a 1920s-style yacht at Chelsea Piers for a 90-minute evening cruise with the resident Boat Band. Enjoy one complimentary drink, assigned table seating, climate-controlled comfort, and open-deck views of One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and Manhattan’s waterfront.

“This was the perfect birthday surprise for my girlfriend/partner. She loves jazz, always asked to go to a jazz club and life kept getting in the way, but this felt like the perfect moment. The wooden boat already set the vibe—romantic, cozy, and timeless. A wonderful jazz band, friendly staff, two complimentary drinks, and sailing past the Statue of Liberty, One World Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and the skyline… even the foggy, rainy weather made it feel more magical. Thank you to the crew and the band for making her birthday unforgettable.”

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6.New York City Sunset Jazz Sail aboard Clipper City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $112Best value

Set sail from Pier 17 at 7:30 pm aboard Clipper City, a tall ship operated by Manhattan By Sail. During this 1-hour-45-minute harbor cruise, you’ll see the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn neighborhood between them, with live jazz and a bar available for purchased drinks.

“Female Captain Rocked🧜‍♀️ City views❤️Bartenders were Great🥳 I t was an all around Fabulous sunset cruise 🚢”

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7.Holiday Jazz Classic Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Spend 90 minutes aboard the classic Manhattan or Manhattan II, a heated 1920s-style motor yacht, while a live jazz trio plays holiday tunes. You’ll sip one included drink, nibble homemade cookies, and view Battery Park, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty from the glassed-in salon. English is spoken, and seating is assigned.

“Amazing experience. The jazz music what great and the staff were lovely. Amazing views of the Statue of Liberty”

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8.New York Harbor Live Holiday Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $134

Board Classic Harbor Line at Pier 62 for a 90-minute holiday evening cruise aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II. You’ll hear live jazz in the grand salon, enjoy one included drink and Christmas cookies, and pass One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and Manhattan’s nighttime skyline. Seating is assigned, and the boat holds up to 80 people.

“There isn’t anywhere to wait so do not arrive too early. Staff are all very friendly. Great choice of cocktails. Disappointed that the band took a break. No music was played during that time.”

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9.Sunset Jazz Sail aboard the ‘Clipper City’

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 34 reviews · 1h 30m · from $146

Spend 90 minutes aboard Manhattan By Sail’s 158-foot Clipper City, watching sunset near the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governors Island. A rotating jazz group provides a relaxed soundtrack while you enjoy up to two glasses of wine, a full bar, light snacks, and wide views of the skyline from the water.

“The view was excellent. Better communication on the included wine… and maybe if someone walked the ship with wine to serve instead of having couples split up to get the wine at the bar. Jazz band only played less than half the time. Staff was friendly, when we saw them. Boat was clean and looked well-kept. Beautiful views. Great date night.”

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10.New York Harbor Wine and Jazz Sail aboard Clipper City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $140

Set sail from Pier 17 aboard Clipper City, a classic schooner replica, for a 1-hour-45-minute evening cruise with a live jazz quintet. You will pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and the Manhattan skyline. Two glasses of wine are included, with a cash bar for more drinks.

“Such a fun way to spend the afternoon. It was great in the fall weather, a really enjoyable experience!”

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11.New York City Live Jazz Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $134

Board Classic Harbor Line at Chelsea Piers for a two-hour sunset sail with live jazz. You’ll pass the Financial District, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, with one Champagne, wine, beer, or soft drink included. The boat anchors in New York Harbor for music, drinks, and photographs before returning.

“The music and drinks and the crew. My friend from Copenhagen was blown away and so was I. Sailing is the best way to see NYC skyline”

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12.New York City Dinner Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $175

Set sail from Pier 36 at 7:00 pm for a three-hour New York dinner cruise on a luxury yacht. You’ll enjoy a five-course plated meal at a private table, one complimentary beer or wine, live music, and views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Manhattan skyline.

“The food was tasty and the crew worked hard and were very attentive. It was fun. The only suggestion my husband and I both had is we wish there had been a loud speaker announcing what we were seeing on the skyline. This is our first time in New York and we had no idea what we were looking at.”

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