Dinner Cruises to Book in New York City, NY

The cost of dinner cruises averages around $400 hire fee per hour. The final price will depend on location, size, amenities, and demand. Some venues also offer additional packages that include catering, AV equipment, or additional services. Take a look at the usual price ranges in New York City, based on Tagvenue data:

These are the venues within 1.8 mi from central New York City, available to book on Tagvenue:

• Shearwater Classic Schooner at Shearwater (Manhattan By Sail) on New York North Cove Marina - 1.2 mi from center.
  Venue said: The wonderfully restored 1929 sailing ship will transport you to the Roaring '20s. The Shearwater is a bluewater ocean cruiser that has traveled around the world.
• Whole Yacht at Jewel Yacht on 2430 FDR Drive - 1.5 mi from center.
  Our user said: ‘Great bennie was easy to work with also...’
• Private Luxury Sailboat at Go Sailing NYC on 59 Chelsea Piers - 1.8 mi from center.
  Venue said: Luxury private sailboat for perfect sightseeing and entertaining in NYC. Enjoy a spacious deck lounge, sun pad, cabin lounge with table seating for six.

Cheap dinner cruises in New York City start from $75 per person or $780 hire fee per event. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of September 2026:

• Skyline Princess at Skyline Cruises, from $75 per person (up to 450 guests standing)
  Venue said: This all-weather, year-round yacht is hailed as the most adaptable charter yacht in the Northeast. Its public dinner cruises treat guests to breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, while private yacht cruises explore...

• Boat at Narwhal Yacht Charters, from $780 hire fee per event (up to 6 guests standing)
  Venue said: Experience the magic of Narwhal Yacht Charters. Our boat lets you enjoy the stunning beauty of New York's coast. Hop aboard and savor the luxury and amazing views.

• Event Space at Kaya Studios, from $180 hire fee per hour (up to 72 guests standing)

Even though dinner parties are often associated with sitting in an elegant outfit and eating fancy meals, most celebrations on party boats can't do without dancing.  But don’t worry, you can expect dancefloors, live music, boat bars with crafted cocktails and DJ-s on the boat to get the party moving. On top of these, sound systems and special lighting gear are often standard on many booze cruises in NYC.

The standard New York dinner cruise lasts 2.5 hours, which is plenty of time to enjoy the food and music and see all the sights along the Hudson or the East River. Meanwhile, some cruises around Manhattan are slightly longer - about 3 to 3.5 hours, or even offer full-day excursions, like this sailboat. Many dinner cruises do not have a set sailing duration, so to find out how long your cruise will last, contact the venue manager and ask for details.

• Bring your own drinks - Plenty of dinner cruise ships have open bar options, but bringing your own beverages can help you save money, and you will have exactly what you want to drink. For instance, Chelsea Piers Marina allows BYOB without a corkage fee so that you can enjoy your preferred drinks alongside their delicious dinner.
• Pack essentials - As dinner cruises can last several hours, it's important to pack essentials such as a light jacket or sweater in case it gets chilly, comfortable shoes for walking around the ship, and any necessary medications. Additionally, don't forget your camera to capture the stunning views of the city’s skyline from a different angle!
• Take advantage of entertainment - Your adventure on the water won't end with just dinner and the views! Many dinner cruises have a speaker and a spacious dance floor, or sometimes even live music or a DJ.